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Post Date: |
Thursday, 2017-09-28 |
| SCRIPTURE | |
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From: |
John 1:46-49 (ERV) |
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Text: |
46 But Nathanael said to Philip, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip answered, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said, “This man coming is a true Israelite, one you can trust.” 48 Nathanael asked, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you when you were under the fig tree, before Philip told you about me.” 49 Then Nathanael said, “Teacher, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.” |
| OBSERVATION: | |
| In life we often say ‘If you want to really know me, come live with me’. To Nathanael’s surprise, he was innocently invited to come and meet a man from Nazareth, who was talked about by ancient prophets. I am convinced that Nathanael agreed to go with Phillip against his best judgment, because everything was just not adding up to him. But there was truly a divine appointment for Nathanael. Let me encourage you to also be open to a divine appointment that God might have for you today…. |
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| APPLICATION: | |
| This story is yet another example of how Jesus knew more about the individual than they ever thought possible. When Jesus met the woman at the well, He was able to tell her about her past relationships. When Jesus met Nathanael, He told him where he was at when Philip first approached him. I believe He could have also told him about how prejudiced he was against people from Nazareth, but Jesus wanted to get to the man’s heart, so He shared only good things with Nathanael. However, it was enough for Nathanael to recognize that Jesus was the Son of God. Friends, I believe that when Jesus calls us unto Himself, it is much like the day that He hung on the cross. For at that time He gave in to the will of the Father, instead of using His divine power to disappear from the scene. Further, He did all that for those who loved Him and for those who hated Him at the time. So if Jesus did all that at Calvary, don’t you know that in the case of your sin, and your evil condition, He sees you just where you’re at; He hears everything you are saying or thinking; but He knows your name and calls you to Himself anyway. Nathanael quickly recognized Jesus as the true Son of God. Will you also be open to His call today, and accept His invitation on your life? We’re not sure when the end will come, but we are told to be ready in case it’s today. So let me implore you to procrastinate no longer. No need to wait for your church’s weekend services, today might be the day, so read my Footnote and follow the suggestions for getting with someone today to help you, or pray with you. |
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| PRAYER: | |
| Lord Jesus, You are my rock and my salvation and in You I place my trust. Thank You for calling me to Yourself many years ago. Being reminded of what You did for Nathanael, has reminded me to bring my unsaved family and friends before You yet again today. Please Lord, send a ‘Philip’ to them today who will open the door for them to accept You as Lord and Savior. Please use me, if necessary. Lord You are good, and I thank You for being my Savior, and a Savior who is still interested in the lost. I pray that many will come to know You even today, AMEN! |
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| 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: Love of God
Why Me Lord?
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Post Date: |
Friday, 2017-07-07 |
| SCRIPTURE | |
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From: |
Deuteronomy 8:2-6 (NET) |
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Text: |
2 Remember the whole way by which he has brought you these forty years through the desert so that he might, by humbling you, test you to see if you have it within you to keep his commandments or not. 3 So he humbled you by making you hungry and then feeding you with unfamiliar manna. He did this to teach you that humankind cannot live by bread alone, but also by everything that comes from the Lord’s mouth. 4 Your clothing did not wear out nor did your feet swell all these forty years. 5 Be keenly aware that just as a parent disciplines his child, the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 So you must keep his commandments, live according to his standards, and revere him. |
| OBSERVATION: | |
| As part of his final pep talk to the Israelites, Moses reminded them of where they came from, and what it took to get them to the challenge they were now about to encounter. Moses pointed out the times that the Israelites were about to kill him for all they were going through, yet as they reflect back, they could very easily see how God was actually maturing them and preparing them for this very moment. I know that we can also see very clearly how we encounter the same challenges today…. | |
| APPLICATION: | |
| I believe that you too may have heard the words used in our title today over and over, especially when one seems to be going through a rough time. It might be a loss of employment; or financial issues; or loss of a loved one; or nobody loves me; or perhaps not enough food for your family for the week. In fact, there are times that we look around and see others flourishing in just the same things that we feel like we are losing the battle in. This may lead us to feel picked on, or perhaps feel like God has forsaken us, or even feel like He is punishing us for something. ‘Why me’ is often the cry, by even the greatest saints at times. Moses knew that his people would need to face the changes they were about to encounter, by reflecting on the strength and endurance of all that God had brought them through up to this point. In fact, Moses wanted them to see that their God loved them so much that He was not just providing for them in very challenging circumstances, but He was teaching them to have faith in Him, endurance in even the most difficult or impossible times, and a determination to go on, knowing that as they obeyed God’s commands, worshipped only Him and sought His face in every circumstance, that they could eventually say to the downtrodden. ‘Why Not Me Lord’! Friends, I believe that way too often when we feel left out or downtrodden, we are so focused on self that it is extremely challenging to look for the good that God is accomplishing in our circumstances and through our victories. I trust that today saints of God could sing to God a new song of victory, of total surrender to Him, and of praise for His immense blessings, without ever stopping to moan and complain by focusing on self and feeling like God has forsaken His own. That’s totally contrary to His perfect design and something not supported by Scripture. | |
| PRAYER: | |
| Why not me Lord? Why not choose me to show the world how much You love them, care for them and want to bless them. Please help each saint today to look into Your wonderful face and to give You praise for all that You have accomplished in our lives, and for the glory that will be ours as we continue to obey Your commands, worship, praise and lift You up each and every day. Lord, You have been so good to me, and I have every reason to believe that, as Your very own son, You will continue to bless, encourage and lift me up each day, for Your honor and glory from all those that may be touched by You through 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 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! | |
Our Protective Father!
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Post Date: |
Thursday, 2017-03-30 |
| SCRIPTURE | |
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From: |
Matthew 26:40-41 (GW) |
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Text: |
40 When he went back to the disciples, he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? 41 Stay awake, and pray that you won’t be tempted. You want to do what’s right, but you’re weak.” |
| OBSERVATION: | |
| You will recognize this as part of the scene at the Garden of Gethsemane right before the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. Jesus invited a few disciples to join Him for some alone time with the Father. However, I was touched by how unselfish Jesus was even during such a critical time in His life. Notice the words that I bolded and underlined, to see how Jesus was so mindful of His beloved disciples even at a time that He was asking for reprieve from all that He would soon face. | |
| APPLICATION: | |
| I believe that often we recognize danger for our loved ones much faster than we do for ourselves. I often implore my wife and daughter to be careful whenever they are driving, yet I jump behind the wheel and never give a second thought to the impending danger that we each face each day on the road! Clicking on the scripture link will give you a few surrounding verses to remind you of the situation with Jesus in the context of which these verses were taken. He was about to face beatings, mockery, public crucifixion with much pain to His mother and others who loved Him dearly. However even though we know that Jesus prayed over the agony He knew He would face very soon, yet in these verses He shared His concern for the spiritual welfare of His beloved disciples. I find that immensely humbling and gratifying. In fact, I am reminded of the words of a song that I like “when He was on the cross, I was on His mind” and other included words “He knew me, yet He loved me”. Friends, that gives you an outlook on the love of my Savior for not only me, but for all who call on the name of the Lord, and that includes you! Please don’t think that you are beyond the love of Christ. This same Peter that Jesus was encouraging to pray for strength for his hour of temptation, is the same one that stood nearby and watched a sword be drawn and cut off the ear of one of the soldiers that came to arrest Jesus. He’s the same Peter who denied knowing Jesus, out of fear for his own life. Yet Jesus loved him anyway. Our weakness in caving in to the temptations of Satan is no surprise to God. However, He loves us way too much to see us settle for that. His offer of salvation and eternal security is available to ALL who call on Him as Lord – that includes you Brother, and you Sister. Will you consider surrendering to His invitation today? There are eternal rewards for those who do! Like Jesus, I would also love to see each of you reading this blog today, gain eternal life through inviting Him into your heart and life. Will you do it? | |
| PRAYER: | |
| Lord Jesus thank You for all that You went through, in obedience to Your Father, so that I might have peace of mind and security in knowing where I will spend eternity. Thank You for drawing me to Yourself and using me here on earth to reach and encourage others for Your glory. Lord, I have friends and family that still need to make this most important decision. I pray that they, and each reader of this blog, will receive Your invitation today to surrender their lives totally and completely to You, and that they may be drawn closer than ever to the cross upon which You hung so that we might have eternal life with You and the Father. Have Your will and way in our lives today Lord Jesus, is my humble cry, 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! | |
Good News for Even the Oppressed
Friday, 2016-12-02
Scripture
Bible Reference: Isaiah 61:1-4
Bible Text: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, to announce liberty to captives, and to open the eyes of the blind. 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of God’s favor to them has come, and the day of his wrath to their enemies. 3 To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.
Bible Translation:The Living Bible (TLB)
My Take
Continued scripture readings in the Christian season of Advent, brought me to yet another chapter in Isaiah, where the prophet, under the inspiration of the Almighty God, foretold how Jesus would be born to minister to even the oppressed. So often in society we find where everything is geared towards the affluent. Often taxes seem to be in their favor, and yes even in churches they may receive special attention and recognition because of their financial gifts to the work of the church. But Isaiah brought to our attention even before the birth of Christ that He is being sent to especially meet the needs of those who seem to fall through the cracks by society. In Luke 4:18, Jesus reiterated these same words from Isaiah, about His ministry. This is yet another incident of how the Bible makes so much sense, in that words prophesied years before were affirmed by none other than Jesus Himself during His earthly ministry! Praise the Lord! Now, if this is the only scripture that one might read because of having read this devotional, there may be the question of whether Jesus only came for the oppressed. If that’s a question you may have friend, may I assure you that our Savior came for the benefit of all mankind. I can quickly refer you to John 3:16 where it tells us that God gave His Son, Jesus, so that ALL or anyone who might believe on Him might be saved. I believe these verses from Isaiah helped to confirm to the oppressed right from the outset that Jesus would come into the world for even them, no matter how they might be brushed aside and rejected by society, and the leadership of that day. Friends, I believe this serves as a good reminder for all of us, that no matter what your circumstances are, or what you may be going through, Jesus stands ready to love and minster to you just like He would to the happiest or richest person in the world. I was reminded by a subscriber yesterday how awesome it is that the Word of God is alive and available to every person willing to listen to, or read it, no matter what our circumstances might be. I recently had family who lost everything they own on this earth to a devastating fire. Many in the Carolinas have encountered the same misfortune. Child of God, I believe we should stand ready to share with these folk that no matter how many Bibles were destroyed in those fires, the precious Word of God is still alive, and the love of God still very much in place, especially for them, because God is very aware of their hurts. I am convinced that Jesus loves us dearly on the best of days, but I believe that He wants to show us His love in supernatural ways when He sees that we are hurting and/or in need of a friend! You won’t recognize this if you don’t know Him friend. May I encourage you to read my Footnote and obey His tender call to salvation as He reaches out to you? You are His creation, and He wants the very best for you. Please listen for His call and be willing to obey Him!
Prayer
How beautiful it is to see prophecy fulfilled! How awesome it is to learn of the love of Jesus for all mankind, no matter the color of our skin or our financial status! Lord You are good, and Your mercies endures forever! You have reminded us in scripture today that You love even the oppressed. Please help us to stay focused on You even at times when we feel like we are so alone and forgotten by the world. Please be especially evident to our family and friends who recently lost everything to fire. Lord, may they be reminded that in spite of their earthly loss, their heavenly Father is just as near as the mention of Your name. We hear of so many gifts given to varies causes throughout the world, and I thank you for the gifts given to these ones who suffered great losses. Oh that they might be reminded that the greatest gift given by God is untarnished by the fires and still available to them, should they call on Your wonderful name. There can be peace in their hearts for every day, even when nothing of earthly value remains. Thank You for the promise of heaven and our eternal home that awaits those who believe in You! I can hardly wait! 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!
Prove That You’re a Child of the King
Thursday, 2016-11-03
Scripture
Bible Reference: John 13:34-35
Bible Text: 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)
My Take
We hear kids use this phrase all the time when they doubt what parents, aunts, uncles or friends them – “Prove It”!! At times there are things that grown kids might tell parents what they are going to do, however, based on past record, parents will sometimes doubt that the kids will follow through, so they might challenge them to “Prove It” and do what they said they would do. In our scripture today, Jesus didn’t just tell His disciples to ‘Prove’ to the world that they were His disciples, but He told them how they should prove their relationship with Jesus – “Love for one another will prove whose you are”! I believe that our churches are filled with awesome Christians when we meet on weekends, but I wonder what Jesus might conclude after these same ‘Christians’ meet with that contentious neighbor, or that challenging coworker, or that friend that always seem to get on their last nerve! Out in our ‘mission field’, is it obvious that we are a child of the King of all kings? Do we ‘Prove It’ daily that we’ve been with Jesus? We are told in verse 34 that we are to love one another just as Christ first loved us. In thinking that through, we will quickly conclude that Jesus’ love for us was proven in His sacrifice of His very life for us, even though we were yet sinners. This tells me that if we are to imitate that, we must show love even to those that don’t seem to love us, or even care for us. We need to love even those who tend to persecute Christians because of their beliefs, or love even those in prison – even though they may be there because of the most awful sins committed. Instead of lashing back today, can we aim to love someone even if they don’t seem lovable in return to us? Notice that was not a condition of the love Jesus wanted us to show to others – not if they make themselves lovable, but we love because Jesus first loves us. Because we want to replicate our Lord, we also must love one another. Let’s ask God for His grace and power to love even the unlovable, so they may stop and wonder where our inspiration comes from.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You have blessed us with another day, and brand new opportunities to prove to the world that we are a child of the King. Lord, we will be faced with loving the unlovable, just as You did when You went to the cross for me. We will be faced with folk who are uninterested in You – just as I was before You took hold of my life and showed me the way of the cross. You loved me in spite of my sin, and in spite of me following the ways of the world. Please humble me to love just like that dear Jesus, so that those that I come into contact with today will want to know the same Lord that makes a difference in my life. My readers have not attained perfection yet either Lord, so please touch them powerfully today so that they too may be encouraged to love others, just like You first lived them. Please help us to face this day with great boldness and determination to be just like You! 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!
Love Like This…
Wednesday, 2016-09-21
Scripture
Bible Reference: Ephesians 5:1-2
Bible Text: Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)
My Take
No doubt some of my readers have said it before, and if you didn’t say it then you probably thought it, ‘I will resume friendship with that individual, but I will be fully guarded at all times (cautious)’, but isn’t it interesting how God chose to show us in these verses exactly how we are to handle such situations? Friends, when God sent His Son as a child in Bethlehem, it was for the benefit of the whole world – as the that little Sunday School song reads – “red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world” – all children! When Jesus was led to the cross of Calvary, it was for all who believe on Him – no conditions other than that noted. In these verses today, Paul is reminding his readers that God was not cautious about His love for us, but instead showed every sign of extravagance in loving even the unlovable. He went to the cross knowing that it was for those who refused to accept Him, or were unlovable to His kids. Paul encouraged us to not look at our neighbor who also struggles to show genuine love, but to imitate God for the unconditional, extravagant, wholehearted love that He displayed, and continues to display for us every day. So when we find ourselves struggling to love someone, let’s ask God to help us love like He did – that perfect, unadulterated, uncompromising, unselfish, love for all mankind. He did it, and as His children – fully dependent on Him and aiming to follow His example, we can do it also. Commit yourselves to Him in wanting to love like He did, and ask for His help and guidance to do so, won’t you?
Prayer
Father it is humbling to be reminded that You created us to love and worship You, yet we fail so miserably at that. You created us to love one another, yet we fail so miserably at that, and try to place ourselves above our neighbor, our friends, and those we come into contact with. Please forgive us Lord, and help us to stay so intimately in Your Word that it will have a lasting impact on our actions and our sometimes misguided thoughts and deeds. We really want to be like You Jesus – our example and our guide. For You not only instructed us, but You showed us through Your actions how we are to love one another. Please keep us accountable for all that You have taught us to do and say. May the words of our mouth, and the meditation of our heart be acceptable to You oh Lord, and for Your glory alone, 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!
Treated Unfairly?
Tuesday, 2016-08-02
Scripture
Bible Reference: Job 37:23–24
Bible Text: 23–24 “Mighty God! Far beyond our reach! Unsurpassable in power and justice! It’s unthinkable that he’d treat anyone unfairly. So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all! If you’re wise, you’ll most certainly worship him.”
Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)
My Take
I believe that way too often we tend to look inward and feel sorry for ourselves. Way too often we tend to look at others, and quickly become envious of all that they have, compared to what we recognize in our gifts, talents and possessions. Then we tend to ponder why we are so undeserving. We identify with how Job was feeling after his ‘world’ was stripped away from him. Throughout this book of Job there are many lessons for us. In today’s verses, I believe it is important that we see that true friends are very honest with us, and they may not just tell us what they think we want to hear. It would have been much easier for Job’s friend to go along with the way that Job was feeling; or to make promises to Job that he may, or may not be capable, or willing to make a reality. Unfortunately, we do this all the time friends. We feel sorry for folk and tell them things like: “Don’t worry, everything’s gonna be alright”; or “I will pray for you”; or “I will come and visit you so we could talk”; or “You look so good that no one would ever imagine that you are serious ill”. However, when we are hurting, we tend to look inward and feel sorry for self. Like the world is against us, and that we are being treated so unfairly. I believe that the best thing a friend can do, is to help us get our eyes refocused on Jesus, and His undeniable love for us. We may never understand, at least at the time, why things are going the way they are, but if we can refocus on the love of God for us, that it is unchangeable, and unshaken by circumstances, and that He made us with great purpose in mind, then we might begin to remember all the ways that God has blessed us, and is continuing to watch over us and care for us. Friends, the adversary (Satan) is doing his very best to distract us from the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ, and the many ways that Jesus loves us. What better way to do this than to tap away at our mind and try to tear down the very blessings that God is showering upon us every day? Jesus loves us more than anyone or anything we could possibly imagine, and this was not just for the period He sacrificed His life for us on the cross, but right straight through eternity. So let us therefore, always fix our eyes on the Author and the Finisher of our faith; the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end; JESUS, the Holy Son of God!
Prayer
Lord, thank You for reminding me that “poor me’ is not a term used by folk who are children of the most high God; the King of all kings; the Savior of this world! We are so blessed and set apart as such a holy people, that we must always keep our eyes fixed on the Author of all these blessings. There is a lot of ‘Light’ at the end of this sometimes ‘dark’ world that we live in – the Light of the world, is Jesus! As our Light; our Savior and our Lord, please help Your humble servants to keep our eyes and our minds fixed on You, and not allow Satan to interfere with our happiness. We need You daily Lord, and we look forward to eternity with You loving Father, 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!
It’s Difficult To Counterfeit LOVE
May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………
Today’s Bible Reference: 2 John 1:5–6
Today’s Bible Text: Dear friend, I am not writing to tell you and your children to do something you have not done before. I am writing to tell you to love each other, which is the first thing you were told to do. Love means that we do what God tells us.
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)
My Take Away: There is a lot of emphasis in the Bible about how much God loves us, and about how we are to love one another. Ever wondered why, especially in the New Testament, there are references on the impact this has on the believer? As I studied this today one of my commentaries suggested that there is a lot of emphasis placed on showing our love for others, because it is probably the most challenging thing to counterfeit. Wow, never thought of it that way – but there is a lot of truth in that. There are numerous occasions where Jesus openly showed His love, the greatest of which was to die a cruel death on the cross. With His arms totally outstretched, He showed us that His love was limitless – no end or perimeter to His love. He also demonstrated that His sacrifice was for ALL who would believe on Him, and ALL has no restrictions if one would only believe on Him. So I must challenge you with a very key question/thought today: do you sometimes feel like you are faking it around some Christians? I’ve heard some say that they only love a person for Jesus’ sake. Friends, love comes from your heart, so if you can’t find it in your heart to love that one, then I believe that it is seriously time to talk with God about righting your heart. After all, none of us are perfect, and we expect Christian friends to love us just the way we are. So if they could ‘bight the bullet’ and love us in spite of our failures or peculiarities, ought we not do the same? I believe one of the easiest ways to overcome this issue friends, is to start praying for that individual you are challenged to love. Pray for their success in life, their health, their family and their welfare. You will quickly realize that it is easy to love someone who you are praying for, and in whose life God is actively working. 1 Corinthians 13 is a whole chapter dedicated to the Biblical meaning of ‘Love’. Re-read it as you ask God to re-orient yourself to loving like He expects.
Prayer: Father, we acknowledge that way too often we allow the works of Satan to interfere with the true design for our lives that You would have us follow. Very often we fail in displaying Your perfect love, one for another, and we come before You today in shame because of counterfeit and pretense that we have shown to our Christian Brothers and Sisters. What’s inside of us, is what comes out, so we sincerely ask that You fill us again with Your holy presence, reinvigorate us with the love that You demonstrated for us, so that the love of Christ will flow from us to all that we come into contact with. Lord, because of our love towards others today, may they see Jesus – please? I ask these things in the wonderful, loving and precious name of Jesus, AMEN!
Footnote: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!
2016
Wonderful, Merciful Savior
May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………
Today’s Bible Reference: Nehemiah 9:29–31
Today’s Bible Text: “You warned them to return to your Law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands. They did not follow your regulations, by which people will find life if only they obey. They stubbornly turned their backs on you and refused to listen. In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who warned them through the prophets. But still they wouldn’t listen! So once again you allowed the peoples of the land to conquer them. But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)
My Take Away: In verse 2 of this chapter I underlined the fact that the Israelites were not only praying about their sin but also the sins of their ancestors. I thought that strange until I got down to these verses where it seems like the people were just ashamed at how their ancestors acted in response to God’s goodness to them. Friends I admire the fact that these Israelites didn’t follow in the footsteps of their ancestors, but instead they recognized God for who He was to them. Yes, in spite of being ashamed, yet they knew that God loved their ancestors anyway, as He did not destroy them all. I love the ending sentence, that in spite of everything bad that had gone down, yet God’s love shone through – “What a gracious and merciful God You are”. Friends, that’s the kind of God that we serve! There an old gospel song ‘Wonderful, Merciful, Savior’ that speaks so much to this thought. I hope that you will click on the link and listen to the song as you finish reading this devotional. May I encourage you today to seek God for yourself. He wants to have a personal relationship with you, regardless what has gone down with your family or friends. Know that He loves you personally and individually!
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for looking beyond the sins of my forefathers and loving me just as I am. I also realize that no matter how good my ancestors were, I still had to come to the throne of grace for myself also. You are indeed a gracious and merciful God, a wonderful Savior and friend. Please touch the lives of those that read this devotional today that may not have come personally before Your throne to seek forgiveness and righteousness. Lord, please touch Your people once again today as Your Word goes out. May it not return to You void of having touched hearts and lives. I ask these things in Your precious and holy name, 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
A Glorious Life That Never Ends!
THE HOLY BIBLE (The Contemporary English Version – 2 Timothy 1:9-10): 9 God saved us and chose us to be his holy people. We did nothing to deserve this, but God planned it because he is so kind. Even before time began God planned for Christ Jesus to show kindness to us. 10 Now Christ Jesus has come to show us the kindness of God. Christ our Savior defeated death and brought us the good news. It shines like a light and offers life that never ends.
THOUGHTS: From the time we think about having children we begin to dream and plan for all that we would like for them to be, and how much better we want them to do in life than we were ever able to do. But have you ever stopped to think that the Creator of you and I did the same for us? Wow! What an awesome God we serve! What an awesome thought for all who are considering accepting Jesus as Lord today! From the time we were formed in our mother’s womb, God loved us and had a plan for us. I love that song “He Knows my Name“, because in the lyrics of that beautiful song I am reminded that I am not here through any accident, and in spite of all that might take place in my life, I know that the same God who created me is the One who watches over me each day, loves me to the point that He sacrificed His only Son to die for me and thus provided the path for me to eternity in heaven. Whom then shall I fear? Why would I become discouraged when this evil world impacts my life in one way or another? This old earth is just my temporary quarters, with brothers and sisters who might choose to love me, or despise me, but my time here is limited! My goal is to love you like Jesus does, and to live my life in dedication to Him as I anxiously await His return to take me to my eternal home in heaven with Him! To quote a worldly saying for this heavenly joy of which I speak, I might say – ‘that’s what I’m talking about’!!! So friends, I want to encourage you today to slow down from the hustle and bustle of this busy life, and allow these words to soak in, penetrate your heart, and encourage you to live for Jesus, if you have already accepted Him as Lord. If you have yet to make the best decision of your life and receive Jesus as Lord, please don’t delay your decision, for my desire is to see you happy in the Lord today and throughout eternity with us in heaven! For help on how to go about the simple act of receiving Jesus, please refer to the ‘Footnote’. Drop a note to me so that I can pray with you, and for you. Jesus loves you, friend, and so do I!
PRAYER: Father, Your love is beyond anything mankind can imagine, and exceeds anything we are capable of understanding. You created this earth in such a way that Your kids would enjoy it and reap great benefits from it. You created us in Your own image for the purpose of worshiping You and declaring Your glory each and every day. In giving us a choice to accept this beautiful life offered by You through Your Son Jesus, I believe You wanted us to consciously recognize Your great love and have reason to worship You at every opportunity. Thank You for working in my heart to draw me to the vital decision to accept You as Lord of my life! Thank You for not giving up on me! I plead with You to please make me more effective in witnessing for You, and that You also touch each and every life that reads this devotional today. For those of us that have accepted Jesus, may we be encouraged by Your Word today and serve the purpose for which You have placed us here today. For those who have yet to accept Jesus, may Your Word bring encouragement to them, that will lead to a life changing decision to surrender their life to You. Thank You for creating us, providing for us, accepting us and loving us way beyond anything we deserve. I ask all this with deep respect for Your power and Your wonderful love for me, and I ask it in the name of Jesus, my Lord, AMEN!
FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!
Nuggets From God's Word 