Category: Pleasing to God

Strength is for service, not status

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Encourage, Follow Jesus, Helper, Holy Spirit, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Love, Love your Neighbor, Obedience, Pleasing to God, Service, Status, StregthLeave a comment

The Bible – The Message

Romans 15:1-6

1-2             Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”

3–6           That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it.

Thoughts:

Our reaction to someone’s problems is that we normally feel very sorry for them, followed by: “we will pray for you”. Personally I am very guilty of forgetting that promise as soon as I am out of the person’s presence. Not intentionally, but often because I feel like this is my Christian responsibility to tell them that I will pray for them. But it is very unfortunate that I have taken this serious responsibility so very lightly, especially when my mentor, Jesus, cared for people so much that He didn’t worry about food for himself, but for the 5,000 that had followed Him. It gets even worse, because people will share their worry with us about them not having food to eat or money for the electric or clothing for their school kids, and so often we say how sorry we are to hear that, or perhaps that we will tell our pastor about their problem. Sometimes, that’s the most that some of us can do at the time, but often it is because we do our best to shrug the problem off and leave it for the leaders of our church to handle, since that’s what they are getting paid for! Friends, I believe that God places us in a situation that requires our help, not to simply pass the buck, but to follow through and do our part. It might be a growing experience for us! Let’s remember that we are a Christian not just for the status in our family, workplace and community, but we are to follow the example of our Lord and Savior and serve others as given the opportunity. Can you do more in this respect? I know I can, God being my helper!

Prayer:

Father, often we look at other ‘Christians’ and look down our proud noses and say how sorry we are for them and their circumstances. I am sorry for the times that I have fit into that mold dear Jesus, but I must say that I am not proud of that, and I want to dedicate my life to being a true example of You in every way. I know that this will sometime lead to certain things not pleasing to self, but it’s You I live for Jesus and You that I want to please and follow. Please help me to be Your hands and feet on the ground, so help me to characterize You in every way throughout my life. I believe that many of my Christian friends fit into the same mold as I do dear Lord, so I ask that you shower Your wisdom and Your power on their lives today as well, so that together, we may be Your church – your bride. Lord Jesus, I ask all this in Your name and for Your glory, Amen!

 

NOTE: 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.

May We Rule In Righteousness

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Bold Confidence, Follow Jesus, God our Helper, God our Provider, Helper, Motivate, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Pleasing to God, RighteousnessLeave a comment

The Bible – The Good News Translation

Psalm 72:1-5

1               Teach the king to judge with your righteousness, O God; share with him your own justice, 2   so that he will rule over your people with justice and govern the oppressed with righteousness.

3               May the land enjoy prosperity; may it experience righteousness.

4               May the king judge the poor fairly; may he help the needy and defeat their oppressors.

5               May your people worship you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon gives light, for ages to come.

Thoughts:

As I read the Word this morning I was touched by David’s request. Not only that he, as the greatest king of his time, would humble himself to ask such a thing of God, but as in vs 5, that he would do it to enhance the worship of his people. I feel like that’s the same thing as me asking such a favor of God not so that I might be lifted up in the eyes of my management team, but in order for my staff to receive a bigger raise this year, or to give my staff reason to recognize God’s hand at work and that they would be prompted to attend church services if only to give God praise for His mighty work, even in the heart of their boss. Friends, if we had more Godly managers and business owners, we wouldn’t need half the laws introduced by our government leaders, because businesses would not be out to gouge their customers or steal from the government. Furthermore, our churches would be filled with worshipers anxious to praise God the Father for having such great places to work, and desiring to have a heart like their employers. Wouldn’t that totally be a turn in events that would set us on fire for the Lord? I can only imagine that we would awake each morning super anxious to go to work and to give our employers an honest day’s work, with great expectations of them being very successful in the marketplace! Business owners, managers, supervisors, seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you, just stand by and watch the hand of God work mightily in the success of your businesses and in happy employees anxious to offer up praises to God for their place of employment!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, although I am not ruler over a kingdom like David was, I am responsible for employees, my family and other domestic employees that may work for me from time to time. Please work in the life of this son of yours and continue to give me guidance that I might manage and/or rule in a manner that is pleasing to You and that might bring glory to You by others under my supervision/management. It’s all about You Lord! To God be all glory, for I ask this in Your precious and holy name, AMEN!

 

NOTE: 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.

Living a Life Pleasing To God

On By Ed AlgreenIn All have sinned, Bible Believing, Faith, Holy Spirit, Humility, Obedience, Pleasing to GodLeave a comment

The Bible – New Century Version

Romans 13:13-14

 13 Let us live in a right way, like people who belong to the day. We should not have wild parties or get drunk. There should be no sexual sins of any kind, no fighting or jealousy. 14 But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and forget about satisfying your sinful self.

Thoughts:

In these verses Paul was warning the church about the reasons why so many were falling into sin. Now friends, Paul was talking to Christians – members of the church. He reminded them that they were expected to live their lives as if there was full daylight around them. In other words, live knowing that Jesus Christ was observing all of their deeds. Funny how we believe that if we are out of town we can act one way, or do certain things that we know we can’t do in town for fear of getting caught! Like Paul, I would remind us that God is everywhere at all times, so He always knows what’s on our mind and what we do at all times. Paul advised that it is time that we put off clothes worn in the night, and the sinful works of darkness (the night – those things that we think people who know us would not see). Now he didn’t leave us hanging, for he went on to tell us what we must put on, or how we should dress our souls: Put on the armor of light (Jesus Christ). The graces of the Spirit are this armor, to secure the soul from Satan’s temptations. If we are to put on Christ, then we are to: Put on the righteousness of Christ – for justification; Put on the Spirit and grace of Christ – for sanctification. In fact, we need to walk honestly as in the day; avoiding the evils of darkness. In these type scenarios, Satan is generally very busy and often very bad things result from these. Friends, great care must be given to provide for our souls, else we fall into temptation and or commit unwanted sin. Remember God sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within us when we were saved. Why would we subject the Holy Spirit to the events of the darkness? Are you struggling with the power to overcome the old life – the life before Christ? Please allow me to pray with you about that need. God desires His very best for us, and He does not want us to surrender to the things of Satan any more. Let’s confess these weaknesses to God and ask for His powerful touch on our lives to help us live noble lives that are pleasing to Him.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I pray that You would impact our lives in such a way that our minds would be fresh and reminded at all times that through Your Holy Spirit, You are with us wherever we go. As such, we must respect this fact and be cautious about where we might not only take our sinful selves, but also how we disrespect Your Holy Spirit by taking Him into some dark sinful places, where our worldly bodies might find temporary, but sinful pleasure. Please forgive me dear God for times where I may have trampled over Your blood and not respected Your holiness by taking You into places that You have shown us to be dark or sinful hangouts. Please sharpen our consciences and daily work in our lives to make us more like You in every way. I know that this can be accomplished not only through Your great power, but also through my submissive spirit and untainted desires. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I might walk uprightly, boldly and in total respect of Your holiness. May others always see Your very nature very prominent in my life, and may they want to know You personally. Please tender the hearts of my friends meditating on this devotional today, so that they also may desire a closer walk with You. For those that may stumble across this devotional today and may catch a glimpse of Your awesome power and love, please provoke them unto salvation – draw them close to You, is my humble prayer that I ask in Your holy name, Jesus my Lord, AMEN!

 

NOTE: 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.

Obedience to God’s Servants – Our Government Leaders

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Disciple, Faith, Follow Jesus, Fruit of the Spirit, God Reigns, Holy Spirit, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ, Servants of God, TrustLeave a comment

The Bible – The Good News Translation

Romans 13:1-2; 4b

 1 Everyone must obey the state authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. 2 Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself.
4 …. they are God’s servants working for your own good

Thoughts:

This is probably one of the most challenging verses for us to follow, because we tend to look at the corruption and evil that goes on in government, and the laws that are put in place that especially seem to hurt Christians. It is obvious from the first 6 verses in Romans 13 that Paul encountered Christian brothers and sisters who thought very much the same as the way we tend to think today. I believe that anytime a law is instituted that works against our bottom line, we tend to send ‘hate vibes’ towards our senators, or authorities who had anything to do with the new law. In fact, at re-election time we have the availability to look into a candidate’s record and see exactly how they voted on certain items. Not a bad idea, but it also helps to build a wall of hatred and/or disrespect towards that person. I believe what Paul is teaching here actually goes very deep, because I believe he is telling us that if we are doing everything above board, then we have nothing to fear of our government leaders. I also believe that if we follow other Biblical references to pray for God’s direction as we vote, and yes Christians you must lead the pact in going out to vote, then our prayer, in faith, will play a part in having God’s man/woman elected. Further, I believe that if we had to publicly pray for our elected officials more than we complain about them, then perhaps God will intervene in their decision making and guide them into right decisions that will be pleasing to Him. Bottom line is that our officials are in place as God’s representatives/servants for our good (vs 4), and we are to obey them and support them so that God’s work might be accomplished through them. Friends remember, our initial instructions come from God, so our obedience, respect and prayerful support towards our leaders is a sign of obedience to God. Key points – prayer before voting; prayer while these folk are in power, as God’s servants, and our leaders; obedience and support of those servants of God for whom we are praying daily. Let’s get before God in prayer and ask Him to tender our hearts so that we can be obedient to Him in all things!

Prayer:

Lord, this is very challenging for us, so I humbly ask You to help us to get out of the ‘driver’s seat’ and allow You to control our government leaders/Your servants in place for our good. To do this I must first personally ask that You help me to totally surrender to You as my authority, because when I try to do your job I am showing lack of faith and trust in You. Please forgive me for that, and build my faith to a level where I can trust You in ALL things. Lord. I am embarrassed by some of the comments I hear from other Christian leaders about Your servants, please speak to these friends and co-laborers in Your work here on earth and help us all to submit to Your authority and will for our every concern, especially our government leaders. I must acknowledge that You are God over ALL things in our lives, not just the pieces that go our way and seem to benefit us personally. Please remind us of that when we tend to question those in authority. Needing Your help in such a powerful way, I humbly ask this in Your holy and most worthy name, Jesus my Lord, AMEN!

 

NOTE: 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.

God is our Hope Especially in times of Trouble

On By Ed AlgreenIn Hope, Obedience, Pleasing to God, PraiseLeave a comment

The Bible – Good News Translation

Psalm6:1-3

1 God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and mountains fall into the ocean depths; 3 even if the seas roar and rage, and the hills are shaken by the violence.

Thoughts:

Ever have someone stop you and ask “why are you so calm about everything?”, or “how can you be so happy all the time?”, or “you must have a lot of self-will because nothing seems to phase you”? In 1 Peter 3:15, we are told that we must be ready at all times to give an account of the ‘Hope’ that lies within us. David is drawing to our attention in this Psalm that in times of trouble, we have a ‘Hope’ because God is our shelter and our strength and He is always ready and willing to help us. Through earthquakes and/or tsunamis, our God stands like a Rock, and is firm in His footing, able to help us through to the end. He is our Hope in all things! Friends, I don’t believe that we give off a false sense of security when trouble comes to our families, or to our churches or to our friends, and we calmly give it to God and wait for His guidance. When we develop our faith in God, and learn to depend on Him daily, and learn to celebrate the joys of knowing Him and His miraculous handling of our daily affairs, then it should be natural for us to look to Him, especially when things appear to be out of control, or resolutions appear to be well beyond our control or abilities. Jesus spoke intimately to His Father when He was on the cross, knowing that He had all power and the definite ability to upset the whole ‘apple-cart’ if He wanted to, but through prophecy He also knew that dying was a necessary step. If Jesus saw the need to look to His Father for help, shouldn’t we also look to Him for our every need or concern? He is our ‘Hope’ friend! Let’s learn to lean on the only One that can give us ‘Hope’, as we keep the words of Jude 1:24-25 close at hand, for our God is able, and we should learn to praise Him often for His willingness to use that ability to help His kids – us! If you do not know the One of whom I have referred to in this devotional, I would love to introduce you to Him. Please use the contact information in the ‘Note’ below to reach out to me.

Prayer:

To the God of this universe, the author and designer of mankind; the One who loved me enough to sacrifice His one and only Son so that I may have life eternal; the One who walked on water and calmed even the ocean waves; healed the sick; gave sight to the blind and raised the dead back to life. Yes, to this God, my Lord and my Savior, thank You for loving me enough to cleanse me of my sin and welcome me into Your family and into Your kingdom. With the same power that You did all of the above, I have confidence to know that You are still capable of handling the things in my world that trouble me today. I have this ‘Hope’ and I am thankful for the promises of God given to all Your children! To You be all glory, majesty and praise today. Please speak to the hearts of my family and friends that have chosen to exclude You from their lives. I pray that everyone that meditates on this devotional today might be renewed in their ‘Hope’ knowing that all power comes from You and that You are worthy of our praise. I ask this in Your precious name Lord Jesus, knowing that You are still God, AMEN!

NOTE: 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.

The Reward for Living Life Led By ‘The Spirit’!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, God Cares For Us, God Reigns, Holy Spirit, Imitator of Christ, Pleasing to God, Praise, Reaching the Lost, Reflecting Christ, Sin, SurrenderLeave a comment

The Bible –Good News Translation

Romans 8:13-14

13For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. 14Those who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children.

Thoughts:

We live our lives according to two principles: 1). Dedicated to, and led by, God’s Holy Spirit – This means that like me, you have given yourself totally and unreservedly to the Savior of this world – Jesus. And because He lives in You and gives you a desire for His Word and for a life dedicated to serving Him and imitating Him in character, deed and word, then according to vs 14 we are His children, and according to vs 13, we will live – meaning live forever with Him in heaven even after we leave this old world! Principle #2). Is that you do nothing about your sinful condition. In fact, it dominates your life, and every decision you make and every deed and action comes from the mind and life of human nature and not of God. Friends, it is plain in verse 13 that folk living under this principle are destined to ‘die’. For those of you that have resigned yourself to accept this principle must realize that Paul is not just referring to physical death – that we all must go through, but he is referring to everlasting death, and for those of you that refer to daily life as being hell on earth, I need to remind you that you ‘ain’t seen nothin yet’, for eternal damnation in hell after your life on this cruel earth, is one that would sadden God’s heart to see any of His creation become a part of. However, just as loving parents allow their children to make their own choices, God allows us to make a choice between principle (1) and principle (2). What would you wish for your favorite child? Would you consider anything less for yourself? Vs 14 declares that when we choose principle (1), we are considered God’s children. Fact – Jesus is King over all this world. Children of kings are known as Princes and Princesses! Secure your new title today friend, if you have not already made a decision for principle (1).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege of serving You, and for giving me guidance, wisdom, strength and boldness to live my life as detailed in principle (1) above. Although excited about each day and the opportunities available to me, I am overwhelmed and super excited about the expectations of eternal life with You in glory! However, while here on this earth I become very anxious about my family and friends that have defaulted to principle (2) because of their lack of concern for a better life; a richer quality of life; a satisfied life knowing that You have every little thing under control and a praise-worthy life acknowledging that all things come from You, for our good and benefit, and that You have this whole life thing under Your control, with no reason for us to worry. Lord, I’m Yours – everything I am, everything I have! Thank You for taking it (life) from here! These praises, requests and acknowledgments are all presented in Your holy name and for Your glory, oh Lord, AMEN!

 

**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.

Peace With God!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Faith, Fruit of the Spirit, God Cares For Us, Holy Spirit, Love, Peace, Pleasing to GodLeave a comment

God’s Word Says….

Romans 5:1-5 (GNT)

Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2He has brought us by faith into this experience of God’s grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! 3We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, 4endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. 5This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us.

My Thoughts…..

These verses are so packed with good stuff, that it would take a long discourse to celebrate it all. For just a short devotional, I wanted to share a few words with you that I highlighted: a). “Put Right” – please notice that it didn’t say earned, or resulted from any good deed we did. We are put right because of our faith in God. I would highly recommend that we each examine ourselves and recall the day and place that we surrendered our heart to Jesus and placed our faith in Him alone. This is the ONLY WAY friend to be put right with God. b). “Peace” – when we have been ‘put right’ with God there will be an unexplained peace in our lives – peace in, and with God! c). “God’s grace” – can you even imagine that a sinner, filled with enmity towards God, could ever be allowed into His Grace. Friend, this is through ultimate, unselfish, immeasurable love of the Father for His children. I pray that you are experiencing that ‘Grace’ today! d). “The Hope” – as children of God we can boast of that ‘Hope’ that is ours to one day be with Jesus in glory at the right hand of the Father! Praise the name of Jesus! e). “Endurance” – it is so easy to praise the Lord when everything is going good for us, but often we struggle with this characteristic, especially when it seems like the world is against us. I was excited to note that this type of ‘endurance’ or ‘patience’ actually brings “God’s Approval” and this alone is worth the struggles and challenges we endure here on this earth. f). “His love” and “His Gift” – Think about this real good friend: because of our sin God had to send His Son to redeem us. Yet, when we accept Him as Lord, He pours out His love through the precious gift of His Holy Spirit. Wow, who has ever known such a love as that?

Challenge……

Don’t know about you friend, but there is much to celebrate in these verses today! My greatest caution to you is that you not fall into the temptation of wanting to do good, thinking that because you are not an evil person, then you must be a Christian. Friend, to enjoy the peace of God, you must be one of His children. To become a child of His involves a deliberate step by you. For you must humble yourself before Jesus and ask His forgiveness of your sin, and to accept you as His dearly beloved son/daughter. The life that follows is one of peace with God – everlasting peace! Jesus loves you a lot friend! Won’t you consider accepting Him as your Lord and Savior today? Please feel free to drop me a note by email if there is anything I can pray with you about. Jesus loves you, and so do I, friend!

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, thank You for providing the ultimate for us – the ways and means for us to know You as our Lord and Savior, and the promise of eternal life with You in heaven! You are awesome dear God! As I celebrate this today, I am concerned for several of my family members who do not reflect evidence of having accepted You as Lord. Father, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will convict them today, and that they would make a decision for You. I pray asking all this in Your wonderful and majestic name, Jesus my Lord, AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.

Do you influence for good or evil?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christian, God our Helper, Imitator of Christ, Our Help comes from God, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ2 Comments

Scripture: Judges 15-16.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Judges 16:18-21 (NLT)

18 Delilah realized he had finally told her the truth, so she sent for the Philistine rulers. “Come back one more time,” she said, “for he has finally told me his secret.” So the Philistine rulers returned with the money in their hands.

19 Delilah lulled Samson to sleep with his head in her lap, and then she called in a man to shave off the seven locks of his hair. In this way she began to bring him down, and his strength left him. 20 Then she cried out, “Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!” When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him.

21 So the Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They took him to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze chains and forced to grind grain in the prison.

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

Delilah was a deceitful woman with honey on her lips and poison in her heart. Cold and calculating, she toyed with Samson, pretending to love him while looking for personal gain. How could Samson be so foolish? Four times Delilah took advantage of him. If he didn’t realize what was happening after the first or second experience, surely he should have understood the situation by the fourth time! We think Samson is foolish, but how many times do we allow ourselves to be deceived by flattery and give in to temptation and wrong beliefs? Avoid falling prey to deceit by asking God to help you distinguish between deception and truth.

A person’s greatest accomplishment may well be helping others accomplish great things. Likewise, a person’s greatest failure may be preventing others from achieving greatness. Delilah played a minor role in Samson’s life, but her effect was devastating, for she influenced him to betray his special calling from God. Motivated by greed, Delilah used her persistence to wear down Samson. His infatuation with her made Samson a vulnerable target. For all his physical strength, he was no match for her nagging, and he paid a great price for giving in to her. Delilah is never mentioned again in the Bible. Her unfaithfulness to Samson brought ruin to him and to her people.

Are people helped by knowing you? Do they find that knowing you challenges them to be the best they can be? Even more important, does knowing you help their relationship with God? What do your demands for their time and attention tell them about your real care for them? Are you willing to be God’s instrument in the lives of others?

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

Father, You have placed me here on this earth for a specific reason. As I go about my daily walk, may I be so filled with Your Spirit that others will be influenced by those things that You have influenced me with in Your Word. May others see so much of Jesus in me that their eyes will be opened to the truths of Your Word and the nature of Your very character. I place my faith and trust in You oh Lord, praying that Your will may be accomplished in and through me each and every day. Please help me to stay strong, especially in every temptation, every trial and every circumstance of life where others may be out to deceive me or to bring dishonor to Your name. It’s You I live for oh Lord, every day!

 

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

The Results of Half-Hearted Cleansing

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Defeated foe, Pleasing to God, Power of PrayerLeave a comment

Scripture: Joshua 12-15.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Joshua 13:13 (NLT)

13 But the Israelites failed to drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah, so they continue to live among the Israelites to this day.

Joshua 15:63 (NLT)

63 But the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, who lived in the city of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to this day.

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

Over the past chapters we read where Joshua and/or Moses were, with the help and direction of God, successful in overcoming a number of countries and their respective kings. I found it odd to read the two verses above where the Israelites were unsuccessful, or perhaps failed, in driving out the Jebusites and the people of Geshur and Maacah, because I know that the God they served, and of course the same God that I serve today, is very capable of overcoming all obstacles. In my further study I found where these same people that failed to fully conquer, were the same ones that caused unending difficulties for the Israelites, as recorded in the book of Judges. This sounds like there may have been personal reasons that the Israelites just didn’t push hard enough to really oust these people, and it reminds me of us when we fail to seek God’s power to really rid ourselves of certain sins. Often these little sins that we hold dear to our selfish little hearts are the very same things that come back to bite us and cause us extreme difficulties. I believe that God is always looking for folk that he can use who are totally sold out to Him, where we have surrendered everything to Him and cleansed ourselves of all sinful things. In fact, to substantiate my belief on this, please refer to chapter 14 vs 9 where we read that Caleb was given special favor with God because he ‘wholeheartedly‘ followed God’s commands. I believe that seeing where God gave up everything for me, yes His one and only Son, so that I might have life eternally and more abundantly, then the least I can do in return is to surrender ALL sin – yes everything that does not align with God’s Word, His will and commands for me. There is no room for half-heartedness – may we all be totally sold out to Jesus!

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

There is only way that I can be the totally true, unselfish, child of God and overcome daily temptations and sin, and that is to seek Your help O God and look to You in all humility for strength and guidance to live as You would have me live – so that You can receive full benefit (ministry) in and through me. May I be a vessel usable by You – a holy and just God. May others come to know You as Lord, as you find the freedom to use this unadulterated child of Yours. Please forgive me where I have been deliberately selfish and weak and given in to sin. This is unbecoming of a child of Yours and I need Your forgiveness and strength to overcome and live a life totally sold out to You.

 

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

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

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Deuteronomy 11:22-23 (NLT)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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