Just Minister – The Needs Exist

On 2022-12-102022-12-10 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Effective Ministry, Healing, Needs, Needs of others, Praise, Recognize God, Recognize Needs, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Saturday, 2022-12-10
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 6:17-19
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁷Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a vast multitude of people from all over Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon, ¹⁸who had come to listen to Him and to be healed of their diseases. Even those who were troubled by unclean spirits (demons) were being healed. ¹⁹All the people were trying to touch Him, because [healing] power was coming from Him and healing them all.

APPLICATION: No doubt, if you’ve been around churches very long, you may have heard pastors say things like: ‘There’s no retirement in Kingdom work’, or ‘I plan to be about my Father’s work for as long as I have breath’, or ‘My work is finished at that church’ or ‘It’s time for the younger generation to take over’. There are many more sayings that pastor’s make known to their church leadership, hoping that they would prepare themselves for electing another pastor to resume the work of ministering to their congregation. Pastors become disheartened, discouraged and downright tired, especially when they feel like the Holy Spirit has stopped working in the hearts of their congregants. But what if Jesus had taken that stand in today’s story? I was at a church where the youth would normally attend Disney’s ‘Night of Joy’ – an evening where this huge park was transformed into one large Christian event with gospel music echoed throughout the park until midnight on a Saturday. Our church leaders insisted in just one condition, attend, enjoy and be blessed, but church attendance is required on Sunday morning! The preceding verses tell us that Jesus had spent the whole night in prayer before His Father, but at the time that He arrived back in the plains with His disciples, there was a crowd gathered who needed a touch from the Master, and Jesus wasn’t about to let anything affect His impact on them. What if we served in our capacity as servants of the Most High God with the passion of the One we chose to imitate? What if we asked God to give us the strength and willingness to serve, based on the need of the people He sends to us? I never felt that I served in a selfish capacity or for what I might accomplish, or receive from the Master personally, but I’m not so sure that I always served from my heart and tired body, based on the needs of those whose stomachs, spirits, souls and minds depended on the encouragement they would receive from my ministry. I would imagine that I may be alone in feeling this way, but I believe that God wants us to think carefully about that today. Do we minister as to the Lord, and with every intent to please Him with what comes from our mouth, and through our actions? Do we minister with the heart soul and mind of the hearers in mind, and with every intent to help them draw closer to Jesus Christ? Sharing the gospel is like one beggar sharing what bread they have with another beggar. Both are in need of what is given to them, but they eagerly share what they receive with others. I believe that Jesus intimately knew the heart, soul and mind of each one that came to hear Him and be touched by Him. Perhaps if we made it a point to KNOW each hearer in such an intimate way, the Holy Spirit will help us minister to them more appropriately, rather than just checking the box that we gave another sermon, taught another Sunday School lesson, wrote another devotional, etc. etc. When something is given from the heart, it means more to the receiver and the giver!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: The crowd gathered were being healed and walking away whole again, because they were in the presence of Jesus. We are told that Jesus would be with us when two or three gather in His name. Perhaps when we go to church and meet together with others to enter in the presence of Jesus, He will also ensure that mighty works are fulfilled in our presence also!

PRAYER: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for the reminder that meeting with You and having a relationship with You, has a lasting effect on us, our ministry and our hope for tomorrow. Please teach us to be more like You in ministering with the needs of the people in mind, and not for any personal satisfaction we might receive. Teach us also to be like the people who came from miles around just to be in Your presence, to hear Your teaching, receive Your healing touch, and to be filled again with Your awesome power. Oh, that You may work so powerfully in our lives, that others will be impacted and drawn to the one source of receiving eternal life. AMEN!

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

The Lord Needs It?

On 2022-07-222022-07-22 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Greatest Need, Needs, Needs of others, Praise, Recognize God, Recognize Needs, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Friday, 2022-07-22
WRITTEN AT: Orlando, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Mark 11:2-3
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: ²Go to that village over there. As soon as you get into the town, you’ll see a young colt tied that nobody has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it back to Me. ³If anybody stops you and asks what you’re doing, just say, “The Lord needs it, and He will send it back right after He’s done.”

APPLICATION: The Lord has need? Why would the Creator of all things have need of anything? Remember He also had reason for a borrowed manger, a boat, a donkey, an upper room, and a tomb. He who was rich, for our sakes became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9). Why? He chose to place Himself in a position where He would need to partner with us in order to see His will worked out through us. Isn’t this is incredible! God didn’t have to go that route. But He chose to place Himself in a position where He will not do what He desires to do in our families, communities, workplaces, marriages, or schools without our partnering with Him. Why? Could it be that He’s getting us ready for the next billion years when we will be ruling and reigning with Him? Let me encourage you to regularly pray, study the Word, worship and fellowship with other believers? Somehow, it seems like in God’s economy, His blessings and His moving in this world are linked to our participation. I wonder if one of the mind-blowing moments in heaven might not be when we see what could have happened in the lives of our relatives, friends, and communities had we taken seriously the possibility of partnering with God instead of acting as if the Lord didn’t need us. Way too often we tend to sit back and expect others to teach, or witness, or befriend the needy, but God has placed us here for a purpose. Yes, God can touch the hearts of those He created, but He also created intelligent humans like you and I, and throughout Scripture He insists that we go out and preach the Gospel, and to be the hands and feet of Jesus right where we are. I firmly believe that God places us where we are for a purpose, and He wants to bless us with the abilities and opportunities to bless others and encourage them to a close and intimate walk with the Creator. Let’s never be found guilty of failing to share that which God has blessed us with. May He always be glorified and lifted up through us, and His desire for our earthly ministry be fulfilled to His complete satisfaction.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: We may often sing that old hymn ‘I need Thee every hour’, but with today’s reminder, may we always seek to follow the commands of our Father and meet His needs!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are always faithful to us. May we strive for perfection in Your eyes and honor Your every command. Make us strong, bold and committed to do Your will naturally, as part of our everyday life, so that others will not be confused about what You look like, love like and are committed to. People need the Lord. May they always see you in every action and/or word from Your humble servants. AMEN!

Our Mission, Our Passion

On 2020-01-30 By Ed AlgreenIn Evangelize, Needs of others, Obedience, SalvationLeave a comment

Thursday, 2020-01-30

Bible Reference: Acts 26:18
Translation: The Voice (Voice)

Bible Text: ¹⁸It will be your mission to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God. This is so that they may receive forgiveness of all their sins and have a place among those who are set apart for a holy purpose through having faith in Me.”

OBSERVATION: Paul is known as one of the prominent writers of the gospel, in what we know today as the New Testament. However, it is good to reflect on all that Paul shared with King Agrippa in the testimony included in this scripture passage from which our verse is taken today. For you see, Paul was not born in a preacher’s home and spoon-fed the gospel all of his life. In fact, quite the opposite, for he was a persecutor of the Christian church and was feared by them, for his cruelty to Christians. However, once God got a hold of Paul, and he redirected his life, it was ‘all in’ for him, and he stayed consistent to His call by God, even if facing personal persecution, or death.

APPLICATION: In today’s society, we are so determined to have things done our way, or to make sure that self is well taken care of, but way too often we cave in when faced with opposition to our witness, or hardships for our stance on the things of Christ. Paul stood before the most powerful leader of his time, knowing that one wrong word could result in death or extreme times of imprisonment or persecution, yet he testified of his life changing event that took place on the road to Damascus. He further told the king of the extreme change made in His life by his Savior, and how everywhere that he went, he chose to preach the saving news of Jesus Christ. I wonder how far into the interrogation by the King would each of us have lasted? Let’s fast-forward to today. Hopefully each of us try to find a ‘safe’ place to gain our confidence each week, by meeting with fellow believers in a church setting. As we leave the doors of our sanctuary, I pray that we may have the tenacity of Paul to share the glorious gospel that saved us on our road of self destruction that was leading us to Hell. I further pray that we may we be so burdened for the hearts of those still headed in the wrong direction, that we may become as bold and determined as Paul to allow the power of God to minister through us, as we minister to others in His name. The world must know that there is a Savior who loves them so much that He bled and died for their sin, so that they might have hope for eternity. Friends, for all who have sought Jesus, and surrendered their lives to His sovereign reign and Lordship, be reminded that He has promised eternal life with He and His Father in heaven one day! Can we commit to sharing this with the same boldness that Paul did? They may accept the invitation that we give to them, however if they don’t, we would have at least been obedient to the call of Christ. Remember, we can’t save anyone. However, as we respond in obedience, God can do His mighty work through us. Are you willing to facilitate the call on a friends life today?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please forgive us for our selfishness in keeping the awesome news of Jesus all to ourselves. Please help us to empty ourselves of pride and fear, and to be bold in our openness and willingness to allow You to have Your way even through humble men and women. Please help us to mirror the boldness of Paul today, and may You use our obedience to accomplish Your awesome work in the lives of those that we rub shoulders with today. For thine is the kingdom, the glory and the honor, for ever and ever, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Sebring, 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!

Here’s What It Takes

On 2019-07-19 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Near to God, Needs, Needs of others, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

Friday, 2019-07-19

Bible Reference: Luke 9:23
Translation: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Bible Text: ²³Jesus continued to say to all of them, “Any of you who want to be my follower must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you every day for following me.

OBSERVATION: I have heard that to become a good military officer, you must be willing to give up everything, for military leaders consider you their subject while under their leadership. From the outside looking in, think about how you identify military guys and gals when they enter your town and a restaurant where you are having a meal. I believe that God wants us to walk into a business and recognize His followers in much the same way. Let us be reminded of what God requires of us.

APPLICATION: I’m not sure what the initiation stages of the military is in each of your respective countries, but I’m sure that the orientation is probably very similar. For young men and women are having to be taught the differences between selfish desires, wants and wishes, to one that is dictated by the leadership of their country. To do this you will find very regimented military leaders who will impress upon you the differences between the two wills. So compare that to what God is commanding in our focal verses today. If you say with your mouth that you are a follower of Christ, but you continue to do your own thing, whenever you want, and wherever you feel like doing it, will that display God’s leadership in your life, or will that truly convey that you are still fighting to be your own boss, making the same mistakes and committing the same old sin? We are considered a very privileged people, when we try to imagine that a pure and holy God would adopt us into His family, if we seek His face and commit ourselves to His Lordship. Do we become perfect at that stage? Not while we are here on this earth, beaten on every side by Satan and his evil followers. However, in His Word, God promises that one day we will unite with Him in glory, where we will bow at His feet and worship our perfect King, in a holy and righteous place called heaven, forever and forever! So with that in mind, can we commit, or perhaps recommit today that we will serve only our God, regardless of the distractions of Satan, so that it will become very obvious to anyone around us, that we are Christ’s followers? For those who are already followers of Christ, please stay true to your Leader, and indoctrinate yourself with His Word, so that you may follow His ways, obey His commands, and become more like Him in every way, every day!

PRAYER: Lord, You are, more precious than silver…… and nothing I desire compares with You! So Lord please shower Your blessings on my readers and I today so that we may become more like You in every way. People need the Lord, and unless they see Jesus in every fiber of our beings, they may always doubt if anything good could ever come to us. You are good oh Lord, and I would ask that our circle of influence will see You and Your goodness in everything that we do or say. It’s You oh Lord that the world needs today, please use us in Your service to help others find You and accept You as Lord. AMEN!

Meeting the People Where They Are

On 2019-01-252019-01-26 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: ³⁵Jesus 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. ³⁶And 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 2018-11-10 By Ed AlgreenIn Caring, Needs, Needs of others, PrayerLeave a comment

Thursday, 2018-11-10

Scripture

Bible Reference: Nehemiah 1:2–4

Bible Text: ²Hanani, 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. ³They 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.” ⁴When 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!

Walk a Day In My Shoes

On 2018-05-122018-05-12 By Ed AlgreenIn Everything We Need, Greatest Need, Know and Believe, Know God's Heart, Needs of others, Recognize NeedsLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (ERV)

TEXT: ²²To those who are weak, I became weak so that I could help save them. I have become all things to all people. I did this so that I could save people in any way possible. ²³I do all this to make the Good News known. I do it so that I can share in the blessings of the Good News.

OBSERVATION: Paul realized that he could share the Good News of Jesus Christ with every Christian gathering and they would totally get it, but should he walk down the street or around the corner, folk might wonder if he was from a different planet! I don’t believe that has changed, for we sometimes speak a totally foreign language, compared to the ordinary person on the street or the executive who has his nose in the financial books most of his life. Let’s see what we could glean from this scripture and how we might apply it….

APPLICATION: First of all, let me emphasize that I firmly believe Jesus came to save all people groups of the world, no matter your education status; your skin color; your culture; your financial status; the sin you have committed; etc, etc. Paul saw a challenge, that I believe still exists today – who will tell them? There’s an old proverb that says ‘Birds of a feather flock together’. There may be many applications for that proverb, but I believe the primary fault with it, is that we tend to become a very exclusive group of folk that either worship together, or play together, or visit one another. I almost left out the last option, because so few of us visit one another anymore. So what does this all boil down to? Well, unfortunately, I believe that it points to the idea that we quickly form little groups of like minded, like cultured, like financially, type people. These are the folk that we worship with, visit and feel closest to. However, we also know that God came to seek and to save ALL that are lost, all that are hurting and need a Savior. So if we are His missionaries and His hands and feet on the ground, what will we find to respond when asked about serving or ministering to the unlikely person stuck with living under that nearby bridge, or sleeps outside of the liquor store for the convenience of being there when it opens next morning? How do you suppose you would think about these scenarios if you were to follow Paul’s example? How do you feel like you could reach these unlikely folk for Jesus? Will you have a satisfactory response for Jesus when He questions you about your work on earth, including ministering to all people in need? Please know that our response to God concerning that man we pay a salary to at church to do all of this, will probably not be what God is looking for. We are all called to ‘go into all the world and proclaim the name of Jesus Christ as the only saving grace from our sins’. If you truly want to understand that person from another culture, ask if you could join him for a day, so that you might walk in his shoes and understand the challenges that he faces each day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, our Redeemer, Savior and Friend. Thank You for His demonstration of humility in meeting the needs of people from all walks of life. I’m not sure how we got separated from that and have formed such exclusive groups that often do not include all of society, but Lord You have opened my eyes and reminded me of the need to reach the whole world for Your kingdom’s sake. Please give us wisdom and boldness to tear down those walls of division and rejection. You are known for Your love; encouragement; humbleness; caring; and everlasting hope, among many other attributes. Please help us to be imitators of You, and spread these same attributes to all people, without any walls, so that the world might know You and see You lived out in our lives every day. Thank You Lord Jesus! 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 Sebring, 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!

Your Choice – Blessing or Curse!

On 2017-07-112017-07-11 By Ed AlgreenIn Blessings, Choice, Choices, Curses, Needs, Needs of others, Recognize NeedsLeave a comment

Post Date:	Tuesday, 2017-07-11
SCRIPTURE
From:	Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (ERV)
Text:	²⁶“Today I am giving you a choice. You may choose the blessing or the curse. ²⁷You will get the blessing if you listen and obey the commands of the Lord your God that I have told you today. ²⁸But you will get the curse if you refuse to listen and obey the commands of the Lord your God…..
OBSERVATION:
In previous chapters Moses shared with his people what God had ordained for them to do when they entered into the land He had promised them. Kind of ironic that in spite of them being led for 40 years through the wilderness, where they witnessed miracle after miracle, and they still continued their bad habits at every turn, yet God didn’t give up on them, and He had His servant Moses warn them of the consequences of their decisions, even now that they arrived at their destination. I don’t believe there’s a whole lot of difference between what the consequences the Israelites could expect versus what we could expect if we are obedient or not. Let’s examine that further…
APPLICATION:
It seems like mankind is made to test the system, no matter what aspect of like you are getting involved in. Children test every rule set by their parents to see which ones are for real and which ones the parents are more tolerable with. In marriages, we encounter fights, and often separation, because we keep pushing our spouse to the limit and beyond. The Israelites had already tested the system while in the wilderness, but their spiritual ‘father’ was now giving them some great advice from God about what will make their lives in their new country more acceptable with Him, and what might provoke them to evil and therefore align themselves more with Satan. The Word says that individually we have a choice on whether we will do everything possible that leads to a flood of blessings back from God, or whether we continue to live life like we feel comfortable doing, and that pleases most people. So based on the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the holy Word of God that you allowed to soak into your mind this morning, do you feel like you are on the right track for a blessing from God? I believe that blessings in you, will allow you to share ‘blessings’ with others. My deep desire for all my readers today is that there will not result an ounce of curses to destroy your witness and disappoint our Savior.
PRAYER:
Lord, please touch the lives of Your children today, and like You did through Moses, please remind and convince your children to be obedient to Your voice and follow Your commands. We love You Lord Jesus. 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!

The Invaluable Testimony of Eyewitness

On 2017-07-102017-07-10 By Ed AlgreenIn First Hand Experience, Needs, Needs of others, Recognize Needs, Share, Share God’s WordLeave a comment

Post Date:	Monday, 2017-07-10
SCRIPTURE
From:	Deuteronomy 11:1-2; 7 (ERV)
Text:	¹“So you must love the Lord your God. You must do what he tells you to do and always obey his laws, rules, and commands. ²Remember today all the great things the Lord your God has done to teach you. It was you, not your children, who saw those things happen and lived through them. You saw how great he is. You saw how strong he is, and you saw the powerful things he does. ⁷It was you, not your children, who saw all the great things the Lord did.
OBSERVATION:
I believe that Moses realized that the younger generation of Israelites might be entering into the Promised Land without ever having witnessed the powerful hand of God through the many miracles in Egypt, and in the wilderness. I believe that the older generation were probably content in their tents knowing that they had witnessed a lot in their day and that hopefully their children would never have to face those challenges again. We will consider the application to our current day situation, as we reflect on the dilemma Moses saw with his people, at such a celebrative time in their history….
APPLICATION:
Gossip generally starts when one is trying to relay a story based on something they thought they heard someone else say. Exaggerations are generally added, especially to slant the belief of the hearer towards the feelings of the story teller. But if experiences are never shared with others, the lessons that you learned will not help others, or give them a ray of hope through all that they are facing. God brought the Israelites through so much that their experiences are spread across several books in the Bible, yet this younger generation was preparing to enter into uncharted territory, facing huge obstacles, and Moses was afraid that they would probably face these with little hope or trust in the God from whom their forefathers witnessed miracle after miracle. Has things changed? Do our kids know about the miracles in the lives of our parents and grandparents? Do they know about the faith as demonstrated by your uncle? Do they know that the same God who raised Lazarus from the grave, is the same God available to them today and they too can experience His awesome grace and power? Don’t forget friends, there are folk that will deliberately get into conversation with you today, because they may have seen your faith at work, or they’ve heard of the faith that you may have in your Master. Don’t brush them off because you’re at work, or you’re at the grocery store. God arranged the meeting place and the circumstance so that someone might hear your story today. Don’t let Him down! Family will probably call or stop by today and although there might be several reasons for their visit, one might be that they want some of your faith to rub off on them. Let me encourage you to share wherever and whenever you can. The obvious place is at church friends, for most people attend, looking for hope, for answers, for a better way. Be interested in those that you speak with, and not just a casual handshake or smile, for they may enter their future without ever having been touched by the blessings God showered on you. Your sharing with them might be the final thing that convinces them to meet the originator of miracles – our God! Do your part by share what God has done for you personally friend. There is nothing like an eyewitness account!
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, You bless us immensely each and every day, and You have not only performed miracles in our own lives, but also in the lives of relatives that have shared experiences with us. Please help us to share with others how You have blessed us, and Lord, please use those circumstances to draw folk to you. Help us to share in simple form what You have miraculously done for us. No need for exaggeration, Your power is enough to draw folk to You and to save the most hardened sinner. Lord, I look forward to sharing with others today, God being my helper, 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!

Praise Be to God – Our Creator!

On 2017-07-042017-07-04 By Ed AlgreenIn Awesome God, Creator, Needs, Needs of others, Praise, Recognize NeedsLeave a comment

Post Date:	Tuesday, 2017-07-04
SCRIPTURE
From:	Proverbs 8:27-29 (NCV)
Text:	²⁷I was there when God put the skies in place, when he stretched the horizon over the oceans, ²⁸when he made the clouds above and put the deep underground springs in place. ²⁹I was there when he ordered the sea not to go beyond the borders he had set. I was there when he laid the earth’s foundation.
OBSERVATION:
This whole chapter reminds us of the importance of wisdom, and that it existed from the very beginning of time when God was creating this earth. God really caught my attention in the above verses, for Solomon was reflecting on how awesome it must have been for one to watch God in action as he put this whole earth together. Reflecting on this could easily prompt one to worship the Creator! I could only imagine how Solomon must of welled up in praise as he reflected and put his feelings into words. I believe Solomon, just like all other Biblical writers, was led by the Holy Spirit to write these words so that we who have come behind him would also be reminded and lift up our hands and voices in praise and amazement to our awesome God!
APPLICATION:
Solomon was known as the wisest man on earth, yet we can tell from this chapter in Proverbs, that he respected where wisdom really originated. In fact right at the beginning of the book, he asked God for wisdom, and God blessed him with this wonderful gift. While I have the utmost respect for wise people, God got my attention in these verses to just imagine how exciting it was to see God in action as He created this earth. Here are a few of the things that spoke to me: We might look out over the waters and admire the beauty of the sky and the reflection of the clouds in the water. But can you even imagine the Almighty God putting that altogether while you are privileged to watch? Solomon likened it to pulling a cover up over a tent, for he pictured God pulling the horizon over the oceans like a cap! Wow, how awesome is that! Solomon envisioned the clouds being formed and the earth’s springs being generated and primed! Can you imagine the first gush of water to spring forth and fill a lake or well! Wow! Our awesome God! Being a person who loves the ocean, I am especially intrigued by the oceans being created, yet being controlled to avoid overflowing and flooding the earth. It was all controlled just like water in a basin. The oceans are so important to our food chain, transportation and just recreational refreshment, but to witness it all being put into action! Wow, that’s my God! Friends, these are the things that we need to remember as we have our individual praise times with our Master! Let’s be diligent to not always make it a gripe session or one of begging or complaining. Let’s praise Him for who He truly is – King of all kings and Lord of all lords! Our loving and caring Savior who provides for us in advance!
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for setting the stage for our arrival on earth. You prepared the earth with such beauty, provisions and awesome wonder for mankind to enjoy and be blessed by. As we recognize Your goodness, may we well up in glorious praise to You, for the awesome God that You are. Thank You for being so good to us Lord! 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!

Nuggets From God's Word

Category: Needs of others