Category: Needs

Obey God’s Laws or Else….

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Obedience, Obedient, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2019-05-01

Bible Reference: Leviticus 18:29-30
Translation: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Bible Text: 29 Whoever does any of these terrible sins must be separated from their people! 30 Other people have done these terrible sins, but you must obey my laws. You must not do any of these terrible sins. Do not make yourself filthy with these terrible sins. I am the Lord your God.”

OBSERVATION: God led the Israelites to a place (Canaan) where they would encounter another culture. In our focal verses today, God is warning the Israelites that they are not to get caught up in the culture of the land, but to stay true to the teachings and commands of the Lord. Isn’t it easy to see the comparison between the challenge that the Israelites faced and the one that we face every day? Yet I believe that God still wants His people to stay true to Him! But are we?

APPLICATION: “When in Rome, you do as the Romans do”, isn’t that one of the popular sayings that we hear, and may have even spoken? But that’s not what God told the Israelites. He reminded them of their Master, and how important it was for them not to be discolored by the sin of those they would meet in their new land. He reminded them of whose they were. Fellow Christians, this is exactly the dilemma that we face each and every day. We enter into a world filled with the same sins mentioned in the preceding verses of Leviticus 18, and we decide whether we will go with the flow and be like the locals, or will we stand for God – no matter what environment we find ourselves in. Isn’t it challenging to think that if we go with the flow, we will fit right in and not even be noticed as being different in our inner man? Isn’t it even more challenging to consider that if we speak out against the wrong in our land, or practiced by our friends, that we will be looked at in contempt and perhaps even ridiculed for standing out like a ‘sore thumb’. We may be looked on as a ‘goody two shoe’ or as one thinking more proudly of self rather than anyone else. But does it matter more what others might say, or what God demands, and how He will respond in disappointment to His very own child speaking and/or acting just like the rest? Friends, I believe that the very last words were placed in verse 30 as a reminder for all of us when we face good times, or very challenging times, so that we might always consider that whatever we decide to do, we should always remember ‘For I am the Lord Your God’! That will either result in you praising God for His strength in helping you do, or say, the right thing under extremely challenging situations, or those words might impact our very soul in shame about the way we acted or spoke while knowing deep inside to whom we belong. Oh that we may keep a clear conscience by representing God well in every circumstance of life, with Him as our helper and guide.

PRAYER: Lord, You know how You created us to desire pleasing others in all that we say or do. It therefore becomes extremely challenging for us to speak out against the wrong that we see in our society, where many of the same sins mentioned in Leviticus are still being performed. Yet we are reminded that we are to represent You in all that we say and do, so that You may be glorified in our lives. Please help us to manage the complexities of this challenge so that we will always honor You, and that we may correct or speak out in ways that will allow us to witness to the unbeliever about the awesome God that we serve. Please help us to be a light of hope to the unsaved. and not a hammer that will destroy all hope of sharing Christ with them. We need You heavenly Father, even today we do! AMEN!

The Unfortunate Results of Unbelief

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

Monday, 2019-04-29

Bible Reference:  Mark 6:2-6 
Translation: Living Bible (TLB)

Bible Text: …the people were astonished at his wisdom and his miracles because he was just a local man like themselves. “He’s no better than we are,” they said. “He’s just a carpenter, Mary’s boy, and a brother of James and Joseph, Judas and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” And they were offended! 4 Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his hometown and among his relatives and by his own family.” 5 And because of their unbelief he couldn’t do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he could hardly accept the fact that they wouldn’t believe in him. Then he went out among the villages, teaching.

OBSERVATION: You may have heard it before, where an old saint may say that he, or she, will not go out to hear that person preach, because he’s just one of the locals who grew up with them. So to read our focal verses today and see that Jesus faced this same dilemma, really opens our minds to ponder why do we humans choose to take this stand. Jesus said that these choices lead to unbelief in the power of God, and can really prevent His work in our midst. Let’s open our hearts to God’s Word as we meditate some more on this.

APPLICATION: From personal experience, I can tell you that it is very natural for us to look at the faults in others and judge them accordingly, while overlooking the plank in our own eye – the shortcomings of our own life. I recall a group meeting of church workers, and one gentleman suggested that a Brother was falling short of his responsibilities. However, the pastor commented that the complainant may be out of order, because there was lots of ministry being done by the person behind the scenes, and unannounced to the rest of the workers. Friends, it is times like that when we are made to understand that keeping ourselves straight, and in alignment with the commands of Jesus, is a fulltime job, that leaves no time for us to judge another! Similarly, when a teacher or preacher is presented to us, our responsibility is to pray that God would use them as His messenger to speak His words that we need in our lives. Friends, that’s a miraculous work of God, when you consider the many temptations, trials and challenges that each of us face daily here on this old sinful earth. It is so easy for us to be distracted by the known, or assumed sin/faults of the person standing before us, rather than the miraculous working God who is using that earthen vessel to deliver His message to us. But how does that affect, or impact us? Notice in verse 5 that the Word of God says that because of unbelief, God is unwilling to release His work, and work miracles in our midst. So when we sin by tearing down the messenger, what blessings do you assume that we are blocking? Is it not time for God’s children to act as His children and to seek His face while He may be found. Listen closely to the message that He has entrusted to His messenger to deliver to us, so that His blessings and miracles may flow freely, and uninterrupted by our selfishness and sinfulness? Friends, let us make every effort to enhance the work of the Lord in our own life, and that of our churches, instead of being a stumbling block. May God be glorified, even if we might be humbled in the effort.

PRAYER: Precious Lord Jesus, I don’t know that a whole lot has changed from the time that You were provoked to leave the people of Nazareth and move on to other towns that were ready to listen to Your word, and receive Your blessings. We desperately need You dear Lord, please humble us to set aside our personal preferences and our warped ideals, so that our ears may be primed to listen to Your Word. May our lives be opened and ready to obey Your teachings. We need You and we need to be open to Your Word. Please help us to do just that today and every day, so that You might be glorified in our lives. AMEN!

Many Voices

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Commitment, Committed, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

Saturday, 2019-04-27

Bible Reference: Mark 5:36; 39-42
Translation: The Passion Translation (TPT)

Bible Text: 36 But Jesus refused to listen to what they were told[n and said to the Jewish official, “Don’t yield to fear. All you need to do is to keep on believing.”
39 Upon entering the home, Jesus said to them, “Why all this grief and weeping? Don’t you know the girl is not dead but merely asleep?” 40 Then everyone began to ridicule and make fun of him. But he threw them all outside. Then he took the child’s father and mother and his three disciples and went into the room where the girl was lying. 41 He tenderly clasped the child’s hand in his and said to her in Aramaic, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, wake up from the sleep of death.” 42 Instantly the twelve-year-old girl sat up, stood to her feet, and started walking around the room!

OBSERVATION: On the one hand, the Jewish ruler was being told to give up and go back home, for his daughter had died. However, Jesus told him something totally different. At the home of Jairus, the crowd mocked Jesus because he said that the daughter of Jairus was only asleep. What was Jairus to believe? You and I have this type of dilemma every day, so how do we know which way to go. or who to believe?

APPLICATION: Jairus could very easily have succumbed to the pressure of the crowd around him – friends, co-laborers, Jewish authorities, etc. for he knew them a whole lot longer than he knew this ‘Jesus’ who he had just heard of. After all, what must the crowd be thinking about Jairus being so receptive to this new ‘profit’ that seemed to be causing such an uproar? Friends, if you tune in closely to the voices of the crowd around you every day – at work; at the grocery story; at the gym; at the gas station or the movie theater, many of these individuals are pretty far out in their thoughts, words and actions. They often look down on Christians and churches and this fictional character (in their minds) that they hear us talking about – Jesus. We hear many voices dear friends, and if we are not strong in our faith, and in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, they might easily distract us and pull us into their way of thinking – after all they seem to be happy, they seem to be rich, they seem to have a lot of things going in their favor. Jesus told Jairus: just keep on believing! I believe that He is telling you and I today that we are to just keep on believing. When He called your name and you accepted Him as Lord and Savior, you were so convinced, that you totally surrendered your life to Him. Yes, you’ve not made it a priority to read His Word every day. Yes, you’ve not made it a priority to speak (pray) to Him every day. Yes you’ve allowed many other things to come before Him when you should have been refueling your spiritual tank at church. Yes, you’ve been hanging around some friends who are not at all sold out on Jesus. So in retrospect, whose voice are you really hearing? May I encourage you today dear friend, to not only accept my Lord as your personal Savior, but please consider making Him a daily priority in your life. You may easily be put in the position that Jairus was in – do you listen to the crowd, or do you listen to Jesus? I pray that the decision will be very easy and convincing for you. Jesus is my Rock, my Redeemer; my Savior; and my everlasting Lord. Know Him today my friend, and know the everlasting peace that He brings. You won’t regret one minute of it!

PRAYER: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for accepting me as Your very own son, and thank You for accepting all those who will read this devotional and have committed their life to Your lordship. Please help us to stay so in tuned with You on a daily basis that we will by like simple sheep that listen to the voice of their shepherd and obediently follow his commands. You are my Shepherd! Please help me to follow you all the days of my life. Please humble the hearts of all those who will read this devotional today, and call them to a close and lasting relationship with Yourself. AMEN!

Go Tell

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

Friday, 2019-04-25

Bible Reference: Mark 5:18-20
Translation: The Voice (VOICE)

Bible Text: 18 When Jesus climbed back into the boat, the cured demoniac asked if he could come and be with Him, but Jesus said no.
Jesus: 19 Stay here; I want you to go back home to your own people and let them see what the Lord has done—how He has had mercy on you.
20 So the man went away and began telling this news in the Ten Cities region; wherever he went, people were amazed by what he told them.

OBSERVATION: When something good happens to us, we need no prodding to head on out and tell the world about it. But what is it about the miraculous touch of God that causes us to keep something so wonderful all to ourselves? Could it be that our fear of rejection is far more powerful, than our release of praise to our Maker? Let’s think about that today…

APPLICATION: In our story today from the Scriptures, there seems to be two reactions taken by the healed demonic-filled man. The first human instinct was to stay close to the One who healed him, and I believe that reaction is still very prevalent today. Think about it – haven’t you heard someone say that they would never leave a certain church because of how good they were to them? Or the same about a certain pastor – because he took time to pray with them and that brought healing to their desperately aching body? Yes, we still react in much the same way as the healed man wanted to do. But think carefully about the second reaction that was induced by Jesus Himself. The man was told that instead of sticking close to Jesus, the source of his healing, he was told to go and share that miracle with others – those that may be struggling in their faith, or those who stand at a distance in wanting to trust in God. I believe this all boils down to someone hearing about a firsthand experience, rather than a story about someone else’s experience. I can watch a video about a motorcycle crash and marvel over the survival of the driver, but when I hear first hand how God protected a friend in a similar crash, and how they knew without a doubt that it was God who protected them and saved them – which do you think will get my attention? In which story do you suppose I will see the importance of knowing the God who saved these two drivers? Friends, I believe that this story, and this command by Jesus to ‘go and tell’, comes at a time that we all must be willing to share our miracle with a friend or family member, for this may be the very thing that will convince them of: the real, the loving, the all-powerful God that we serve, love and adore. Sure we should go to church and sing our praises to our Lord and Savior, and share our miracles with one another, but let’s also pray for opportunities to share our story with anyone that would listen – anyone that needs Jesus!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, please open the doors of opportunity for us to share Jesus with one another today. Especially with those who have not met and surrendered their lives to Him personally. May they see the joy of the Lord in our lives, and may they experience His marvelous love in every word that we speak and every action that we take. May someone see Jesus today because they came into contact with us, for this is my heart-cry today dear Lord. AMEN!

Pattern Your Lives After The One To Whom You Belong

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

Tuesday, 2019-04-23

Bible Reference: 1 Peter 1:14-16
Translation: Living Bible (TLB)

Bible Text: 14 Obey God because you are his children; don’t slip back into your old ways—doing evil because you knew no better. 15 But be holy now in everything you do, just as the Lord is holy, who invited you to be his child. 16 He himself has said, “You must be holy, for I am holy.”

OBSERVATION: In Leviticus 11:44-45 God set the stage for what Peter is teaching in our verses today. For in Leviticus God reminded the Israelites of what He had brought them from, or out of, and how they were now benefiting from His mighty works. Peter now draws a parallel by showing us how we are very much like the Israelites. As we meditate on this, let’s be drawn into the very presence of our great High Priest who has lifted us up from the mire of sin and brought us into His glorious light!

APPLICATION: Even at my age, I am still amazed about the way that children assume the good attitudes and practices of their parents, and often to the total disappointment of many adults, how they also pick up on, and practice the bad habits that they learn at home. In playing baseball with my daughter when she was very young, she turns aside from the batting box, spat, and then turned back to really hit the ball hard on the next pitch that was thrown to her. She was convinced from watching the professionals, that this was the practice that would help her really hit the ball! Funny, isn’t it? But that’s just one example of how they watch their parents and other adults, and practice what they see them doing. So do you assume that is different from the way that adults act? I would dare say that it is not. For what do you assume might be the issue when we find it so challenging to commit to taking a leadership role in our church? Could it be that we would not be as free as our neighbor, or best friend, to take off whenever we want to and ‘enjoy life’? What would Jesus do? If we are to be holy as our Father is holy, our Mentor, our Deliverer and our Savior, wouldn’t we be seeking to follow in His footsteps and in all holiness, be the same type of person that He was/is? What were the things that were important to Him? He said that He would wait to hear from His father before speaking – in some instances; before responding – in some instances, etc. Friends, we are being cautioned to not drift back into our former life, and our old worldly habits, but instead to give every effort to becoming more like our leader – Jesus, our Teacher, and our Lord. May I suggest that you evaluate your life and ask God to open your spiritual eyes to understand who you are becoming – one following God’s example? or one who is still immersed in following your former life. Oh that our eyes might be fixed on Jesus, our soon coming King, and may our lives reflect to whom we belong!

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, please humble your children who will meditate on this devotional today. May we see You clearly, and therefore be reminded of our shortcomings and inadequate means of being holy, without a special touch from You Lord, for You alone are holy. Lord, I want to see You, but until the time that You will call me home, may I live in such a way that others will see You. May You be glorified through each of us oh Lord! AMEN!

Recognizing God’s Mighty Works

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

Monday, 2019-04-22

Bible Reference: 1 Kings 20:28
Translation: Good News Translation (GNT)

Bible Text: 28 A prophet went to King Ahab and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Syrians say that I am a god of the hills and not of the plains, I will give you victory over their huge army, and you and your people will know that I am the LORD.’ ”

OBSERVATION: I wonder what it would take to truly get the attention of our church attendees, or our lost neighbors, or our busy communities? I believe that God shows Himself miraculously, and in very loving and kind ways every day, but what do we hear about the results of this – perhaps it was a stroke of good luck, or I had it coming to me, or…..

APPLICATION: God performed miracles and gave great successes to the army of King Ahab, with hopes that this might get the attention of the people. Our country today, and many others that we hear about, are in sad shape as far as their spiritual well-being. I wonder what it would take to get the attention of the masses. Back at the time of the 911 disaster, many flocked to neighborhood churches – at least for a few days. After major local, or national disasters, people will flock together to gain strength for each other. and possibly from a ‘higher being’, as some might refer to my God. So we know that disasters really work, although we really don’t want to see something so drastic happen again. Miracles happen every day, but do we (those who belong to and acknowledge God) brag enough about them – to help those not involved, know about the wonderful works of God? Christians, we must give God credit when we see things happening in response to our prayers. The things that we hear from non-Christians are anything but godly, because they don’t know our Savior. But what about you and I, fellow believers, do we tend to recognize the mighty works of God, and let the world know who’s in charge, and who’s responsible for the answers to our prayers? Or are we so caught up in the rush and hustle of each day, that we brush it off and stay in our little corner of the world? Many of us are so saturated in the things of this world as pushed by the media, that I would question how long it would take for us to even recognize an actual God-sighting in our homes or in our neighborhoods or churches? Friends, God loves us so much that He is willing to try almost anything to get our attention. Please join me in being super attentive to God’s hand at work today in our lives and all around us! Let’s get used to doing this so that the world will know that our God is alive and waiting for them to call upon His name. Let’s acknowledge Him in our times of struggle, in our need for salvation, and may we freely and instinctively respond in such awesome praise and worship to our Ling that the world will know and believe in the God that we serve!.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord Jesus for loving me enough to send things my way to wake me up, to get my attention to Your wonderful works. Thank You for providing so much for me to enjoy in this beautiful world that You have created. Thank You for being patient with me and forgiving of me when I am distracted by this old world and other unimportant things. Lord, of what purpose would our journey here on earth be, if others are not pointed to You through our lives? Please work on me today to give You credit for all that You are doing, so that some lost person might want to know more about the Savior that I love, adore and serve. Lord, may You have an impact on the lost through the words and/or actions of Your saints that may meditate on this devotional today, is my humble prayer. AMEN!

Determined To Be With Jesus

On By Ed AlgreenIn Cross, Determined, Easter, Good News, Greatest Need, Healing, Needs, Persistence, SalvationLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2019-04-16

Bible Reference: Mark 2:2-5
Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

Bible Text: 2  ….While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

OBSERVATION: The determination of these men carrying the paraplegic is to be admired. They didn’t let the crowds stop them, nor the leaders that were probably there helping with crowd control. They didn’t let the walls of the building stop them, for they got up on the roof with the man on the stretcher. The roof was no hindrance, for they dug a hole through it that was large enough to fit a stretcher through it – probably 80″ by 30″ or more. They had a determination to get their friend before Jesus, no matter what obstacles stood in their way.

APPLICATION: I wonder how disappointed the men were after going through all that they did, yet when Jesus saw the young man He didn’t immediately address the issue of paralysis, but rather attended to the condition of his heart and his readiness to meet God. I wonder how much this story parallels our earnest prayers to God, where we are concerned for our family and friends’ welfare or health, but seldom show deep concern for the salvation of their soul for eternity? Would we ‘go to bat’ over their salvation as much as we would for other things in their life that we feel might impact their normal living here on earth? How often do we forget that the things of this earth are temporal and could very easily be gone today or tomorrow? Yet the condition of their soul will determine their eternity. Should we be concerned for the physical, financial and personal welfare of our friends? If we didn’t then one would question if they are truly our friends, but I believe Jesus showed the Pharisees, and is showing us, that there is one concern that trumps all other concerns in life, and that is the spiritual condition of the individual. When you know that your friend is ready to meet their Savior and Lord, and that they are living daily to be more like Him here on earth, then all other needs will fall into place, for God cares intimately for His children and He will not bring anything on us beyond what we can bear, nor will He burden us with anything that will not bring glory to Himself. So friends, let me encourage you this Easter weekend, to look just a little differently at those you love and will spend time with this weekend. Look beyond their physical and material needs and pray with them about their spiritual needs, should there be a need to do that. Our greatest need in life is to be the individual that God designed us to be – one that will worship Him and bring glory to Him, in everything we do, until Jesus returns to take us all home to heaven to spend eternity with He and His Father. I’m ready for that reunion friends, and I want each of you, and all of my family and friends to also be ready to join me for that meeting at the foot of the cross! Oh ‘What a Day That will Be’!

PRAYER: Than You Jesus for all that You willingly did that very first ‘Good Friday’ and the glory of that first ‘Easter’ morning! As we celebrate the events of that occasion again this year, I pray that although we will be touched by the drama of all that You went through, yet we will never lose sight of the fact that You did it all for us. Thank You Lord Jesus! I am eternally grateful Heavenly Father! In much the same way that You were willing to do whatever it took to save Your children from the awful stain of sin and damnation, I pray that each of us will commit to being so concerned about our family and friends that we would recommit to sharing Your love with them and allowing them to see the meaning of the cross and the possibilities of their eternity with You. There was nothing more important to You Lord Jesus. I pray that we would be very much the same in our concern for others. May You be glorified and lifted up this weekend, for I ask these things in the precious name of the crucified, yet risen Lord Jesus, AMEN!

Jesus, Moved With Compassion About Us

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, Faith, Near to God, Needs, Rewards, TrustLeave a comment

Friday, 2019-03-08

Bible Reference: Matthew 20:31-34
Translation: The Passion Translation (TPT)

Bible Text: 31 Those in the crowd scolded them and told them to be quiet. But the blind men screamed out even louder, “Jesus, Son of David, show us mercy, Lord!” 32 So Jesus stopped and had them brought to him. He asked them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said, “Lord, we want to see! Heal us!” 34 Jesus was deeply moved with compassion toward them. So he touched their eyes, and instantly they could see! Jesus said to them, “Your faith has healed you.” And all the people praised God because of this miracle.[n And the two men became his followers from that day onward.

OBSERVATION: In this story we see a few things: First is the determination of the blind men to get Jesus’ attention. Although told by the disciples to be quiet, they shouted all the louder; Secondly, I am always shocked how Jesus would ask two blind men what he could do for them! He didn’t assume that they were there to have their sight restored, for they may have had much deeper needs that only the Master could resolve for them. And thirdly, their miracle led to them becoming followers of Christ!

APPLICATION: Throughout the gospels we can read story after story about the extremes that some folk went to in order to see, touch, or plead with Jesus about their situation. I am saddened by our current day believers who either wait until their very last option to seek Jesus and ask Him for help in their respective scenario, or because they have listened to Satan and the world, and have chosen to not follow Christ, they therefore might opt to not ‘bother’ Him in their time of need. Notice that the blind men did not let pride get in their way of getting close to Jesus and asking Him for a miracle. They weren’t concerned about friends trying to turn them away because their unconcern for Jesus. I want you to also notice that although these men were not followers of Christ, He stopped, listened to their plea, and delivered them from their blindness. Friends, this is another reminder of how deep the love of God is for His children. Remember that He went to the cross at Calvary for the sake of ‘sinners’ – those unconcerned about the love of God for them. Notice also that Jesus teaches us to never assume what the needs of another person might be. Wouldn’t you have thought that two blind men waiting to see Jesus, were probably there to ask for restoration of their sight? However, Jesus still asked what they wanted from Him. Friends, let’s learn from this that (1) We are to be specific in our asking of God, and (2) Let us always, always ask about the needs of someone we are going to pray for, and not assume what their needs might be. I believe the important question that Jesus might have for us today is: What is your greatest need that you would have me attend to for you? This should be the item that you are daily pleading to God for, and is first and foremost on your mind. Be determined as the two blind guys, knowing that the same Jesus that they called out to for mercy and healing, is still available, able and ready to also hear our cry for help and meet our needs.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we serve the awesome Creator of this world, and You have proven yourself over and over again, yet You are often the very last person that we call on in our times of trouble and despair. As we were reminded in this Scripture today, please teach us to be persistent in asking, knowing that You are ruler over all things and that Your awesome power is just as prevalent today as it was when You gave the command to restore eyesight to the two blind men. Lord, please touch the hearts and lives of all who might read this devotional today, and please especially touch the lives of my family at this time so that we all might be reminded of the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, and Your awesome love and power. For I ask these things in Your wonderful and matchless name, AMEN!

Meeting the People Where They Are

On By Ed AlgreenIn Evangelism, Evangelize, Evidence of Faith, Faith, Needs, Needs of others, RewardsLeave a comment

Saturday, 2019-01-26

Bible Reference: Matthew 9:35-38
Translation: Living Bible (TLB)

Bible Text: 35 Jesus traveled around through all the cities and villages of that area, teaching in the Jewish synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And wherever he went he healed people of every sort of illness. 36 And what pity he felt for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know what to do or where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. 37 “The harvest is so great, and the workers are so few,” he told his disciples. 38 “So pray to the one in charge of the harvesting, and ask him to recruit more workers for his harvest fields.”

OBSERVATION: Having just returned from a visit to the Bahamas, I can check off my list for having attended church there, and having spoken to many individuals with various needs – both obvious needs and some that were buried deep behind their serious faces. But Jesus’ visit into the cities and villages seemed to have been with a lot more purpose, and He obviously observed a lot more than I did on my casual visit to the Bahamas. Let’s meditate on the things that concerned Jesus, so our eyes might be opened to more as we visit people and places.

APPLICATION:  I feel like God got my attention through this Scripture today, because I was reminded how calloused I am about the needs around me. I love visiting new places, and often I will drive away from those places with things embedded into my memory, but in reflection, the things that I remember are so insignificant in the light of eternity, or in light of the needs of the people that I met in my travels. You see, restaurant or hotel staff will often respond to you with the usual courtesies that we would expect, but how insensitive we are to the hurt behind those sad eyes, or the aching body that they try very hard to hide from us. Let’s look closely at how caring, purposeful and deliberate Jesus was in this short story: 1). Notice that He was deliberate in sharing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. Imagine having missed an opportunity to tell folk about the love of Jesus, and the Kingdom that awaits each of us when we graduate to Heaven, when many are often burdened beyond their ability to bear it here on this earth; 2). Jesus saw the need for healing, and He not only said that He would remember them in prayer, or told them that He loved them, or wished them well, but He healed them of their afflictions. How are you doing with that friends? Do you pray for those who are sick when you visit them? Do you follow-up over the next few days to see if they are doing better? 3). He had pity on the folk that were hurting. Do you feel the pain of the people you come across, or do you casually brush it off by telling them that time will heal all wounds, or telling them about a situation you had that was much worse than theirs? 4). It seems like Jesus was really saddened that folk were just wandering around without any direction, or hope in their life. Friends, there are many like this in our world today, and we have the answer, tucked under our arms, in our glove compartment of the car, or on a table at home gathering dust. Jesus is the answer to all of this world dilemmas, complications and issues, but unless we share that with them, they too may wander around aimlessly, like sheep needing a shepherd. The most important thing about this Scripture is wrapped in the idea that Jesus went out… He went through… He saw the needs of….. and He ministered to… ALL that He came into contact with. We may never see the sick, the downtrodden, or the needy in our plush sanctuaries, but we know they are out there. Shall we imitate our Master and actually get up, get out, and meet their needs where they are? I believe that Jesus expects us to: GIVE, since we have been given; BLESS, since we have been blessed; LOVE, since we have been, and are always loved; SHARE, since we have been blessed with so much more than many we would meet. Let us aim to be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus today dear friends!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, You rescued me from my sin and distress, and You placed me on a mission that will land me safe on the other side – heaven with You and the Father. Thank You Lord for Your wondrous grace and Your tender mercy. I pray that all who will read this devotional today may stand in worship and adoration, with arms raised, and hearts that are warmed, because they too know without a doubt that Heaven is their final destination. If there is the slightest doubt in the minds of any, please Lord, tender their hearts and call them to Yourself. Many who know You are not as compassionate as You are about the lost condition, and the hurt that exists in the hearts and lives of those in our own communities, and especially in the lives that we touch while out of town. We need You precious Lord. Your tenderness, Your forgiveness. Your humbleness. Your unconditional love for ALL Your children. Oh that the ‘church’ will be so sold out to You, that the lost in our areas of influence will see You in us, and believe in You. May You be glorified today oh Lord! AMEN!

Concerned Enough To Pray

On By Ed AlgreenIn Caring, Needs, Needs of others, PrayerLeave a comment

Thursday, 2018-11-10

Scripture

Bible Reference: Nehemiah 1:2–4

Bible Text: 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven

Bible Translation: New International Version (NIV)

My Take

Ever shared your burden with a friend, and they promised to pray for you, but never followed up with you to see how you’re doing? Ever stood in a line of folk entering or exiting a church, and while telling one parishioner that you will be praying for them, you are already looking at the next person and greeting them? I am not your judge on whether you follow through with those promised prayers for someone, but I can honestly share with you that I have said those words many times before and now stand ashamed before God acknowledging that I have often not followed through with praying for the needs that I promised someone I would pray for. Nehemiah’s actions in verse (4) really spoke to me, but what equally ministered to me, was the action that he took in verse 2, where he asked about the condition of his Jewish brothers who had survived the exile. How many times do you leave church upset that the pastor never even asked you how you were feeling? Now, may I ask you a more challenging question, how many times in the last 4 weeks have you asked how things are going at the church at a very high level, or how might you pray for your pastor? Friends, too often we want to know what’s going on because we want every little piece of gossip we could get. I believe that Nehemiah is teaching us to settle for an answer like “I am really struggling today, please pray for my health”, or “I am feeling discouraged today, please pray for me”, or a pastor may say “I am feeling overwhelmed today because I am concerned about so many parishioners who are hurting emotionally or perhaps sick”. I believe that if we could settle for prayer needs such as that, instead of needing to know every little detail, then more pastors and/or Brothers and Sisters would share their high level prayer requests with us. But remember, most won’t share their prayer requests with us if we don’t care enough to ask. Now let me draw our attention to the depth of Nehemiah prayer. For he not only cared enough to ask about the condition of his people, but he followed through with days of mourning, fasting and praying before God for the needs of his people. Some months ago I took part in a prayer chain, where I committed to enter into God’s presence for one hour, praying over some heartfelt concerns. Because I have been accustomed to short, quick conversations with God, that hour felt like an eternity. Look at the condition of Nehemiah’s heart over this concern for his people – he mourned, he fasted and he prayed for days. May I challenge you to dig deep into your heart, yes even those of you that are trying to have hearts like your Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, and consider the last time that you were burdened enough about your church, or pastor, or unsaved loved one that you found it more important to pray than to eat, and your heart was so burdened for the need that you wept uncontrollably before God in prayer for hours and days before you felt a breakthrough? Let’s care enough to actually pray about those things that concern us, and/or concern those that we love and care about. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man/woman avails much. Communion with God will best prepare us for dealings with mankind!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please touch Your people once again. Draw us unto Yourself so that with Your heart and Your love and Your concern for Your children, we too might become more devoted to caring for one another and praying sincerely for the needs of others. Regrettably, we have become such an instant, fast-paced people that we hardly leave time for showing deep concern for one another, for our pastors and for our churches. Please forgive us Lord, and teach us to pray in a way pleasing to You, and that consequently reaches the hearts of those that we pray for. Our prayers are to You and for Your glory, so help us to never lose sight of our Savior by slacking in our prayer life. The world needs You, heavenly Father, and Christians need more of You to be effective witnesses for You. Please renew a right spirit within us, beginning with me, so that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart will be acceptable in Your sight, oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. 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!