Category: Power of Prayer

Attitude of Prayer

On By Ed AlgreenIn Power of Prayer, PrayerLeave a comment

Saturday, 2016-07-09

Scripture

Bible Reference: Habakkuk‬ ‭3:2

Bible Text: “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”

Bible Translation: New International Version (NIV)

My Take

A Very short verse today, but a lot is being revealed to us about the attitude of Habakkuk as he entered into prayer before the God of this universe. Because this is still very applicable to us today, I wanted to draw a few things from the verse to our attention:

  • I have heard about your fame – For any of us attending church, or reading the Bible or fellowshipping with each other, we have probably heard about the miraculous hand of God, and how He has answered prayer already. Knowing that our request is not the first He is being presented with, gives us a reference or reassurance to fall back on. Try verbalizing that friends. Let self know that the same God who has answered many prayers already, is the same One beckoning for all who are weak and heavy laden to come unto Him. He wants you to bring your petitions before Him;
  • I stand in awe of Your deeds – Our bottom jaws should drop when we consider the unique power of our God. Imagine,  He: healed the sick; restored sight to the blind; raised the dead; overcame death on the cross and rose again, so that we may have eternal life! That’s our God, friends! Do you know Him?
  • Repeat Your miracles again today and let me be a witness to them – The confidence of knowing that our God is so powerful, so awesome, and loves us so much that He would repeat His miracles even in our midst, is nothing short of overwhelming. Our faith grows beyond measure as we see God’s miracles performed right before our eyes!!
  • In wrath remember mercy – After all of the above, aren’t we reassured that we can ask God for such impossible things as giving us peace in the midst of our storms, and for showering His mercy on us even in the middle of total wrath and mega problems! That’s our God who calls us to Himself!

So friends, whom then shall we fear? What issue or problem, what governmental issue, what worry or doubt shall we burden ourselves with, instead of surrendering them at the feet of Jesus?

Prayer

What a reminder of the God that we serve! Praise the Lord! We consider all of the worries and concerns that seem to bother us Lord, but after reading this verse today we can only conclude “Whom or what shall we fear?”. Our God is an awesome God and it is You that we place our faith and our trust. Please help us to always be in awe of Your presence and Your power and Your love for Your children. May we always commit ourselves fully to Your care, Your direction and Your wisdom, knowing that because of Your love for us, we are in the best hands. We are such a blessed people! AMEN!

Footnote

If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to http://www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

Lord, Hear My Prayer!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, Power of PrayerLeave a comment

The Holy Bible

1 Lord, I am in great trouble,

so I call out to you.

2     Lord, hear my voice;

listen to my prayer for help.

3     Lord, if you punished people for all their sins,

no one would be left, Lord.

4     But you forgive us,

so you are respected.

(The Everyday Bible: New Century Version – Psalm 130:1-4)

Thoughts:

This may seem like a very simple theme today friends, but I believe that God has no intention of making His Word complicated, nor His commands of us impossible to obey. Like David prayed in desperation (in verse 1 he said that he was in deep trouble), so it seems like we often find our way to the foot of the cross to pray in our times of desperation. But I believe that God got my attention on this today about the many times that I hesitate coming before Him for a need until I am absolutely too stressed out, and realize that I just can’t do it on my own. When we have a sincere deep relationship with our Savior, like we should, then we should be talking (praying) with Him all the time. We should be discussing our distresses and praising Him for our successes. I believe that when we succeed at this, we will be blessed to note the many times that we wind up making good decisions, or making the right turns in life, for He knows our heart’s desires and will guide us in His way everlasting. Now, just to clarify, God knows our hearts without us saying anything at all, however, He enjoys our conversation and is blessed by us turning to Him for our every need. David even gave us a little tip in verse 4 on why God forgives us and handles so many of our requests – so that we might stand in awe of Him and respect Him as God. So I have a very challenging question for my friends meditating on this devotional today: What are the three most challenging things in your life right now? Now the kicker: Have you placed these things in Jesus’ hands for a resolution? These are the things that we should have foremost in our prayers to God. Friends, I know that He will hear our voice and, knowing that He cares for us and knows what’s best for us in the long run, He will relieve us of the stress we are going through and answer our prayers according to His blessed will (Matthew 6:31-33). Trust Him, won’t you?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, it is so rewarding knowing that we can talk with You about all of our needs, concerns and wants, knowing that You will keep it confidential, and that You will respond with our best interest at heart, despite what we might ask for. You know my name, and Your Word says that You even know every strand of hair on my head. How much more You must care about me when things of this world burden me down, or when I make stupid mistakes. Thank You for answering my prayers in the past and thank You for answering them in accordance with Your perfect will and not necessarily the selfish, silly and worldly ways that I might ask for things. You truly are the God of this universe and You have our best interest at heart. Please humble our hearts to have our one-on-one times with You and to share our most intimate desires and thoughts with You, knowing that You will either answer our prayers or at least comfort us to know that You may have even better plans for us. We have such a small view of our lives and of this world, please help us to trust in You, the one who created it all and who controls its every movement. You are an awesome God in whom I place my trust dear Lord. Bless this day in Your own special way, I pray in the name of Jesus, my Lord, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.

Restore Your Church Oh God

On By Ed AlgreenIn All have sinned, Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Chosen by God, Christian, Encourage, Eternal Life, Evangelism, Faith, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, God our Helper, Grace, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Love God, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Power of Prayer, Praise, Repentance, Righteousness, Servants of God, Surrender, Trust, WorshipLeave a comment

The Bible – New Living Translation

Psalm 85:4–7

    4 Now restore us again, O God of our salvation. Put aside your anger against us once more.

    5 Will you be angry with us always? Will you prolong your wrath to all generations?

    6 Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you?

    7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

Thoughts:

In my first read through this passage of scripture I was touched by the prayer of David to save his people, and my heart was deeply touched by his prayer because I can clearly see how many around us, in our neighborhoods and in our cities, need the Lord. However, on closer study of this I realized that you can only restore something that at one time was resident there before. So my heart immediately went out to what David was really praying, because I believe that we are seeing churches dying today at a greater record than ever before in the history of our land. In part, I believe that this is because we need an equally as large evangelism effort to the once ‘saved’ who have fallen by the wayside, as we do to the ones who have totally disregarded the message of the cross. Like you, I am very concerned about all that is going on in our land, and in this world, where we are killing each other without any regard for precious life itself. However, this should come as no surprise to Christians, because even back in 2 Chronicles 7:14 it was declared that God is looking for His people, His children, to humble themselves and pray, before He would give consideration to healing our land. When Christians treat their relationship, their commitment, so flippantly, and when there is no humility in looking to God for His powerful, healing and restoring hand upon His people and our land, what is it that we should really expect differently? Friends, we are bringing damnation on ourselves, on our churches and on our land. Remember, God is still in control and His Word will endure to the end, so we must follow His plan if we ever expect to see God restore us again! What is your role? Are you following His plan, so that you might expect to see Him restore us again? Please, let us humble ourselves and pray…..

Prayer:

Jesus, my Lord, in all humility I pray that You might touch the hearts of Your people once again. Begin with me, I pray. May Your church be revived once again, I pray. May each person meditating on this devotional today realize that this is not the ‘place’ we call church, but the body of Christ that at one time or another made a sober decision to accept You as Lord and Savior of their life. May the places that we call ‘church’ burst wide open from the crowds that will be renewed/revived and reminded of their obligation to their Master and Lord. May Your ‘church’ truly come alive again, so that we may follow Your commands and humble ourselves before You and pray. Lord, may the uncommitted one that may be lead to read this devotional today realize the importance of surrendering themselves to Your Lordship today. We are in desperate need of a touch from You oh King, please hear my prayer and heal us. Please cause us to recommit ourselves to do Your perfect will. For I ask all this in the name of the only One with the power to do anything about our pitiful condition, 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.

Nothing We Say Overrides The Power of the Cross

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Chosen by God, Christian, Encourage, Evangelism, Faith, Helper, Holy Spirit, Power, Power of Prayer, Praise, Servants of God, Service, StregthLeave a comment

The Bible – The Amplified Bible

1 Corinthians 1:17–19

17 For Christ (the Messiah) sent me out not to baptize but [to evangelize by] preaching the glad tidings (the Gospel), and that not with verbal eloquence, lest the cross of Christ should be deprived of force and emptied of its power and rendered vain (fruitless, void of value, and of no effect).

18 For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God.

19 For it is written, I will baffle and render useless and destroy the learning of the learned and the philosophy of the philosophers and the cleverness of the clever and the discernment of the discerning; I will frustrate and nullify [them] and bring [them] to nothing. [Isa. 29:14.]

Thoughts:

Thank God for seminaries and dedicated theologians who teach and counsel our pastors. But I am most thankful for the intervention of the God of this universe sending His Holy Spirit to dwell among men and to impact our lives daily. I am amazed how God is able to use the uneducated and especially those having graduated from seminary. As I said, I am thankful for our seminaries, so I have nothing against them, but a person filled with head knowledge but who refuses to call on God for help in delivering His message is totally missing the point, and therefore much of their preaching is in vain. Friends, I know that all seminary graduates do not fall into the same box, so I am not condemning them. However, we must all remember that the Word of God is worthless without the power of God and the presence of God. For without God, we speak mere words of man, and it is only through the Word of God and His mighty hand that man is saved, or hardened hearts are touched. In fact, when we stand before a crowd and attempt to preach or teach without inviting God to direct us and fill us with His words and His wisdom, we are assuming that our knowledge is greater than the power of the cross of Jesus Christ. Friends, we are truly wasting our time and making a mockery of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we meet (supposedly in His name) yet deliberately leave Him out of our meeting and not totally depend on His mighty hand. To our pastors, preachers, evangelists and teachers, please be encouraged that you can’t do the preaching or teaching on your own. Yes, you are capable, but why open your mouths and speak empty words that can’t possibly touch the heart of man? Please allow God His rightful place as Commander-In-Chief of worship services dedicated to Him. Please allow Him to use you in spreading His Word to His people that need Him so badly. Friends, we have a responsibility to pray for our pastors and teachers. We need a word from The Lord when we go to our worship services. Words from mere man is a waste of our time, so let us pray earnestly for the hand of God to work actively through the man of God that stands before us each week. God could demand even the stones to speak, so as we pray let us do it in confidence that He could speak through His messenger in ways and with the words that will touch, uplift, encourage and challenge our hearts.

Prayer:

Lord, to mere man this whole passage of Scripture must seem very fictional, but to the believer in Jesus Christ who knows Your power and have read about and seen your mighty works in action, we humbly pray that You would work very powerfully in the hearts and lives of our pastors and teachers this week, so that as we gather in Your name, we would receive a word from You. Please humble the hearts of the educated, and please uplift the uneducated, so that as they stand before your people this week, they will each depend solely on the power of the Almighty to do His good work among His people gathered together. Lord, as we strive daily to live for You and like You intended, we are constantly marred by Satan and his evil followers in this world. Please forgive us for our weaknesses and encourage us to draw even closer to You so the power within us might always be greater than the power in this old world. Jesus, we depend heavily on You daily, please forgive us of our sinful attitudes and desires and strengthen us to do Your will, and this I humbly pray in Your name, knowing that only You can grant this, 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.

How To Handle Evil Against You

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Bible Believing, Disciple, Encourage, Forgiveness, Giving, Grace, Holy Spirit, Love, Love God, Love your Neighbor, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Power of Prayer, Reflecting ChristLeave a comment

The Bible – New Living Translation

Romans 12:17-21

 

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” (Deut. 32:35) says the Lord.

20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” (Proverbs 25:21-22)

21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Thoughts:

 

Friends, these words are intended for children of God, because they are not the normal course of action for the person who has no Godly influence, or help to handle situations in just the opposite manner that one would normally expect. The actions mandated in these verses are God-inspired; God-directed; and only possible with God’s help, because in and of our natural selves we would normally lash back at those that misuse and abuse us. This is similar to another command given by God: when your enemy slaps you on one cheek, don’t lash back, turn the other cheek and let them slap you there also. Again, this is not a normal reaction to the natural sinful man. I believe a good question for the Christian would be: “why would God demand something so totally opposite to the norm?” Friends, I believe that God saw His only Son beaten, hung on a cross and crucified, but didn’t send down 10,000 angels to rescue Him, because it was all done for the purpose of showing the world (us) that His love for us extended even to the extent of crucifying His Son. Similarly, when we allow the grace of God to work in our lives and we subsequently behave like Jesus would have, we are showing the world that the grace by which we are driven is one filled with a miraculous love, a divine love. You see, what would the world learn if we reacted just like they would and expect? That we are no different to any other man, right? Now Brothers and Sisters, is this an easy thing? Absolutely not, but for those who are in the Word daily and learning about the ways of God, and constantly being reminded of things like Deuteronomy 32:35 (quoted above), then we know that the love by which we are driven is nothing like the love known by the world. Our actions are totally unexpected by the world, but we are to be obedient servants and follow the commands of Christ, knowing that He will not see His prized possessions taken advantage of. Remember, the last word is God’s, and He will settle the acts against His children. Let’s do our part, knowing full well that God is faithful to His Word and will do His part at the appropriate time. Let’s endeavor to love even in challenging circumstances, not give in and act just like the world expects one of their own to act. Let’s show that God is in control of our lives and our circumstances and we have nothing to fear!

 

 

Prayer:

 

Lord Jesus, these are very challenging directions in these verses, but thank You for reminding me that the battle is Yours and that You will revenge, if needed. My job is to love through the good times and through the challenging times, to those that love me and to those that hate me. My obligation is to be obedient, in spite of my circumstances, knowing that You have everything under control and that through my obedience You might have another opportunity to minister to that person who means ill towards me. I must be obedient to You, no matter the circumstances that face me in this world, because it is often through the most difficult, or challenging circumstance that an unsaved person might be challenged to look heavenly and find the source behind this Christian’s strength, wisdom, endurance and love. Lord Jesus, in Your name, I ask for this strength, wisdom, endurance and love to be imparted and available to me, because You have already demonstrated this type of love, and You definitely have the authority and power to give it to me. May this all be used for Your glory and Your honor, 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 Goodness of the Lord!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Celebrate God, Our Help comes from God, Power of Prayer, Praise, WorshipLeave a comment

The Bible –Good News Translation

 Psalm 36:5-9

 5           Lord, your constant love reaches the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the skies.

6           Your righteousness is towering like the mountains; your justice is like the depths of the sea. People and animals are in your care.

7           How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of your wings.

8           We feast on the abundant food you provide; you let us drink from the river of your goodness.

9           You are the source of all life, and because of your light we see the light.

Thoughts:

I believe that I can just leave the actual Bible verses above for you to meditate on today and you will soon agree with me that we serve such an awesome God! I love the way that David was blessed with adding his thoughts to paper, because his songs of praise is a constant reminder to us that we should look for opportunities to worship, praise and thank our God for His unlimited mercies. Recently a ministry that I subscribe to, Daily Audio Bible, was led into a special day set aside to connect with God. It was called ‘Long Walk’, in which subscribers were asked to take that day away from life’s normal routine and just talk with God, perhaps while on a long walk, and listen intently to His voice. Although I was not in a position to do this, I was blessed by the idea, because we often take so little time to really connect with God outside of our busy, daily chores. Although participants had the opportunity to voice their special times on a Facebook page designed for that purpose, I could only imagine how meaningful that would really be, and the many things we would find to share with God that we ordinarily would not find time for as we rush around each day. These words from David makes me feel like he really had some quality time with God, and that he chose to commit to print the conversations he had with God, so that we may follow in his writings and be reminded of how blessed we really are. Friend, let me encourage you to take time today and bask in the goodness of our God, and while you are soaking it up, please remember to talk to God about what you are feeling, and plan to share that with a friend. Yes, the blessings are coming at you, but by sharing that with someone, they will be encouraged to know that God is still actively working in and among us, amen?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, how can I ever thank You enough for Your tender mercies, Your gracious and undeserving love, Your watchful eye over me so that I may be kept safe and especially encouraged by Your presence. Your goodness is everlasting, and You have chosen to bless even me. Thank You fairest Lord Jesus! No doubt there will be a friend meditating on this devotional today that may not recognize Your love, because their hearts have been hardened by the sin of this world. Please tender their hearts and help them to recognize that Your love extends to even them, if only they would open their hearts and lives to accept Your free gift of eternal life. Lord, I pray that I and Your people will be a praising people and a thankful people who look for reasons to recognize Your goodness. Your love never fails, dear God, and I thanks You and praise You for that! For it is in Your wonderful and matchless name that I pray, 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.

How To Deal With Your Enemies!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Christian, Defense against the enemy, Faith, God Cares For Us, God our Helper, God our Provider, God’s Word, Helper, Our Help comes from God, Power, Power of Prayer, Protector, The enemy4 Comments

God’s Word Says….

Nehemiah 4:13–14 (The Message)

So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: “Don’t be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

My Thoughts…

From the subject, I know that you probably thought that I was referring to that person that really dislikes you, or the person you can’t stand to be around because you just know that they are like a ‘snake in the grass’, looking for ways to harm you! Well, you are right to a certain extent, the examples that I gave might be classified as enemies. But how about a different type of enemy, what about the enemy of cancer, or heart disease, or aids? My take on these verses that God got my attention on, is that this can apply to anything or anyone in our lives that may serve to harm us or oppose us, or give the appearance of hating us. In these verses Nehemiah prayed that he might find ways to stabilize situations over which he was leading, and the first thing he found to help was to tell his people/army to think on the power of God – remember, remember, remember what He has done, and what He is capable of doing.

Challenge…

What if we took this advice when told about cancer in our bodies, or when we know that we are about to battle with someone who really hates us? Friends, we know that we will have enemies because any attempt to fulfill God’s desires will almost certainly draw opposition from the world. But here is a word of advice for us from a noted scholar ‘Breneman’: “God’s people should always regard prayer not as a last resort but as our primary weapon against opposition”. So friends, here is the word from God today: a). Always remember the power of the God that we serve. Deliberately reflect on the times that His power has helped us through situations, and of times that He has helped our forefathers in the Word through miraculous times. He is still the same God that we serve today, so let’s depend on Him! b). Let us be quick to pray and slow to react in anger and thoughtlessness when faced with opposition, or by those who may naturally offend us because of their lack of faith, The Bible tells us to fervently pray for those that despitefully use us. Let’s obey the Word friend!

Prayer….

Lord Jesus, You showed the example in that You went aside and prayed when burdened with everything that was about to happen in Your life or to Your followers. Please help us to also do this, instead of hitting back, instead of getting angry and saying things that we might later regret. Lord, we want to be more like You, so strengthen us to do Your will, and to follow Your example to always bathe our battles in prayer. Please also encourage us to always remember the many miracles of our powerful Lord, and remind us of Your ongoing power to do the same for us. We are so weak Lord, and it is only with Your power and Your strength, that we can look at heaven’s glory when old Satan is hitting at us from every side. Thank You for loving us anyway and being there for us through every circumstance! For I thank You, and I ask these favors, in the precious and all powerful name of Jesus, my Lord and soon coming King!

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.
ß

Make Time To Pray

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Imitator of Christ, Power of PrayerLeave a comment

Scripture: Luke 5.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Luke 5:15-16 (NLT)

15 But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases.

16 But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

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

Recently I saw a signature line on an email that read “Make it a great day!” and it struck home to me that although we can say to friends that we wish them a great day, it is totally up to them to make it a great day. Likewise in this passage, Jesus could easily have prayed to the Father with all the crowds around Him, but to truly find an intimate time with His Father, He withdrew from the crowds and found one on one time with Him. Attending church is vital to the Christian. Praying with fellow Christians is very healthy, especially when praying for things in common. However, when praying about very intimate, personal things, and when asking for very intimate responses from God to your very intimate needs, it is always best to pull yourself aside from the busyness of the day, from the friends that will distract you, from the work that you are so busy doing, and make time to pray intimately to the Father. Tell Him your heart and your hearts desires. Listen to Him about all that He would have you do to walk closer with Him and be a better witness for Him. To make time to pray is making that a priority in your life and not allowing anything to come in the way. Sometimes this will force you to look at your day and determine when there is availability in your schedule where you will not be disturbed by anyone or distracted by anything. Sometimes this may mean taking less sleep so you could spend time with God. Whatever it is, do whatever it takes to make time to pray, friend. Jesus did it, imagine how much more important it is for us to do it! One of the worse attended services at churches is Prayer Meeting. Corporate prayer is usually evidence of an individual who practices personal, private time, I believe. Where are you on prayer meeting nights?

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

Father, we get so caught up in the rush, hustle and bustle of everyday life, that we often include our time with You as part of that hustle and bustle. Please help me to always make time to pray, even if it means sacrificing a little sleep or personal time. I have often taught that instead of saying that we don’t have time for something, say that it was not a priority at the time for us. I pray that I will never say that finding time to pray alone with You was not a priority for me. Something so important deserves top priority, because it means communicating with my Creator, my Savior who sacrificed life itself so that I may live eternally with the Father. It means finding time to make sure that I receive my next set of instructions for the day, or for the tasks assigned to me by the Father. I want to make my time with You top priority. Please help me to always honor this.

 

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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Faith to Believe

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Faith, Follow Jesus, God Reigns, God’s Word, Obedience, Power of PrayerLeave a comment

Scripture: Mark 16.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Mark 16:9-14 (NLT)

9 After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons.

10 She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. 11 But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.

12 Afterward he appeared in a different form to two of his followers who were walking from Jerusalem into the country. 13 They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.

14 Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.

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

God really highlighted this passage to me this morning, particularly the point of unbelief that the disciples had surrounding His resurrection. At the first reading of this we might feel pity or feel sorry for the disciples for such unbelief. In closer deliberation I thought about who it was that struggled with unbelief. These were the men who were handpicked by Jesus; they were closest to Him during His ministry here on earth; they witnessed miracle after miracle which showed them firsthand the power of Jesus, and they heard Jesus speak about how He would rise again after the third day. Further, I am sure that the prayers that went up by these men after Jesus was arrested was probably very intense, for they had lost their Master, their friend, their leader. So why then would they be surprised to hear that Jesus was alive? Friends, we are just as bad today even after all we know from God’s Word, and even after all that we have prayed about, and even after all that we have witnessed and/or heard about Jesus doing here on this earth. I believe that Jesus can easily say to us today, “Oh ye of little faith”. Having just celebrated Easter, we know that Jesus is alive. We know that He is the same miracle worker that we read about in His Word and witnessed in so many cases here on this earth, so let us therefore place our faith and trust in Him. Let us expect the miracles that He has the power to perform and not be surprised when we witness the answers, but instead celebrate the power of God and His willingness to hear and respond to our prayers. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to us. Near enough that we could have a relationship with Him and witness His answers to our prayers and perform the miracles that we could only dream of. Have faith in God!

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

Father I believe in You. I believe in Your almighty hand. Please help me to always pray in faith, believing that You have the power to do all things. Let me therefore not be surprised when You answer my prayers, but instead be ready to rejoice and lift up Your name above all names. Please help my unbelief!

 

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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