Category: Praise

The Dress and Place of Royalty

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

Wednesday, 2019-06-19

Bible Reference: Luke 2:6-7
Translation: The Passion Translation (TPT)

Bible Text: 6–7 When they arrived in Bethlehem, Mary went into labor, and there she gave birth to her firstborn son. After wrapping the newborn baby in strips of cloth, they laid him in a feeding trough since there was no available space in any upper room in the village.

OBSERVATION: I found it amazing to be reminded of the story surrounding the beginning of our Savior’s life, then compare it to the story surrounding the death of our Master and Lord. He was born and wrapped in strips of cloth, compared to His death being also wrapped in strips of cloth. There was no guest room available for Mary to give birth to our Lord, compared to the borrowed tomb in which our Lord was placed after His death. Yet His birth was worthy of prophecies hundreds of years earlier, and His death resulted in eternal life for all who would accept Him right up to and including this very day! Oh what a Savior!

APPLICATION: If you were told that a member of royalty was having a baby, and you wanted to visit to show your love, I’m sure that you would go to the most popular hospital with the most proficient doctors, knowing for sure that the mother and child would be there. If you were to try and identify the mother and child as they left the hospital, you would look for the best dressed mother who would leave in the newest and most expensive car, wouldn’t you? But in our Scripture today, we are reminded that the mother of Jesus had to make up a bed in a stable – perhaps unlike what we may call a stable today, but it was a place where the animals laid at night. The Savior of the world was therefore born in a stable – a very humble beginning for One would would be referred to as the King of all kings! What I found most interesting as I read the story again, is that Mary wrapped the baby in ‘strips of cloth’. I know, it has always been a part of the Christmas readings, and nothing has changed. But something that immediately came to mind is that Jesus was again wrapped in ‘strips of cloth’ for His burial also. The other thing that I believe God wanted me to really grasp this time around, is that there was no normal accommodations found for the birth of His Son. Now, I really don’t feel like that’s to make us feel sorry for Jesus, but it made me realize that after Jesus was crucified, there was also a search for someone to bury Him, and a burial site to place Him. Friends, our Savior came to this world in perhaps the most humbling location, to an unmarried couple. He died a shameful death, hanging on a cruel cross, and was buried in a borrowed grave. Yes, Christians celebrate each of these events – at Christmas and at Easter, but I believe that God wants us to know that He would have climbed every mountain, or crossed every ocean to satisfy the need of mankind to have a personal relationship with the Savior of the world. For He was sent to us especially so that those who accept Him might enjoy a relationship with the King of all kings here on earth, and to also confirm our eternal destination when we are called out of this world. There are many songs that come to mind as I write this: What a friend we have in Jesus; He’s my Rock; I’ll fly away; Face to face with Jesus; etc, etc. To my Christian friends, rejoice with me today that regardless of how our Lord entered this earth, and how He was cruelly treated at His death, He did it all just for us! We have a hope while we are alive, and we have an even greater hope knowing where we are going, and with whom we will spend eternity! It just don’t get any better than that!! To my friends who have yet to accept Jesus as Lord, please be reminded that you have no assurance of tomorrow, or even the next minute, for our Savior can return at any moment. Prophecies are aligned for His coming soon, so please consider my Lord while you are able to. He created you, and He loves you more than anything imaginable. Just like any earthly father, my Lord would be overjoyed to have all of His children around His feet on Judgment Day. That includes you, my friend, but only you can initiate that for yourself. I encourage you to do just that today. Please contact me, or use the tips in my Footnote to help you meet my Savior personally. Your life will never be the same!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Your coming to this world to save sinners such as I, is beyond anything that anyone else could do for us. I would humbly ask that just as you healed the sick and raised the dead, that You express Your awesome power yet again today and touch the hearts of all who will meditate on this devotional. For those who will need to meet You for the first time, please miraculously touch their heart; convince them of their sin and the subsequent need to ask for forgiveness of their sin. Lord touch Your children today, for our witness is more important today than ever before. People need the Lord. Oh that they may clearly see Him in our lives, and want to know our Lord and Savior. AMEN!

Resolute

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

Friday, 2019-06-14

Bible Reference: Numbers 24:12-13
Translation: The Voice (VOICE)

Bible Text: Balaam(to Balak): 12 Remember the first time that you sent messengers to get me? Even then I told them 13 I don’t care how much silver and gold you have or what all you’d give to me; I cannot alter what God would have me say. Whatever the Eternal One puts into my mouth is what will come out, whether good or evil words.

OBSERVATION: Reading this Scripture today helped to remind me that I needn’t worry about what others may think, or what they may say about me, as long as I am convinced and determined to carry out the plan of the Lord and speak His Word. After all, when I stand in His stead here on this earth, I want Him to be glorified from all who benefit from His Word, as I know that His Word will not return void. I believe our time of meditation today would be best spent looking at how we might prevent things from interfering in our desire to be resolute in all the things of God.

APPLICATION: I believe that there are many times that we look at the people around us and we try to second guess what they may be thinking, what their prejudices might be, and how they may react when we teach something from God’s Word that may be contrary to their normal way of life. Unfortunately, when we teach or preach on things that we feel others need to hear, or on something that will surely ‘straighten’ them out, it seems like those sermons, or topics, normally fall flat on their faces. The reason might be because we are trying to assume God’s rightful job. I find that the times that I seek after God’s perfect will and try to honor that, my life is impacted long before I could teach it or write a blog about it. Yes, I believe that God will definitely direct me to something that my audience needs to hear, as long as I am not on a vendetta to correct the people myself. But let’s take this back to our story about Balaam, for he was one who was resolute in following through with God’s commands, without allowing the pressures of Balak or any of his men dictating otherwise. Balaam also knew that he stood to become a very rich man if he pleased Balak, but he made his intentions very clear to Balak’s men before he ever left his home. He knew that the idea of money would be thrown at him, but he declared that no amount of gold would provoke him into saying something not approved by his Master, the God of this universe. What about you my friend, do you allow the threat of influential people, or the rich and famous, prevent you from speaking the unadulterated Word of God in season, and out of season? I truly believe that if God has a word for us, or our group, and if He chooses to use us to declare that word, and we do otherwise, then we are sinning, because we are not doing, or saying, what He instructed us to do or say. Let us therefore be obedient to our God in every way, so that He would receive the glory that He deserves.

PRAYER: Thank God we serve a mighty, all-knowing God! You created this universe, including all of my readers and myself. What have we to fear? We consider it a privilege to represent You in every aspect of our lives, especially in sharing of the insight You have given us. For it is then that we depend on Your guidance and the words that You would have us share, so that the very depths of a person’s heart might be touched for your glory. Lord, please touch us with a renewed boldness, so that we can stand firm like your servant Balaam, and not permit any intimidation to discourage us or stop us from speaking Your truth. People need the Lord, but how will they know about Him if we hesitate in doing our part. How will they hear from God if we keep watering down the Word for fear of those in our audience. AMEN!

The Power of God’s Promise

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Faith, Faith in Action, Faithful, Faithfulness, Genuine Faith, Needs, Possibilities, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

Thursday, 2019-06-13

Bible Reference: Luke 1:36-37
Translation: The Message (MSG)

Bible Text: 36-37 “And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.”

OBSERVATION: A familiar story is found in Luke chapter 1, but the above words were meant for me today. Like Mary, I often wonder how, or why God would work a miracle in my life, or in the life of my family or my church. But praise the Lord, I am reminded that if my God promises something to His children, we need not wonder ‘how’, or ‘if’, for God’s Word declares that ALL things are possible with God! Let’s stop and consider His amazing power today, that is available to us every day!

APPLICATION: Mary, a young, virgin girl, who had not exposed herself to any man yet, was approached by an angel and given a proclamation that sounded really far out – that in spite of her virginity, she would bear a child. Moreover, this child would be the very Son of God. We may have heard this story so many times that our senses may have been dulled by the prophetic call by the angel Gabriel. But for the purpose of fully grasping the awe of this story today, let us stop and consider the idea of our young child coming in to tell us that: #1 – They are pregnant; and #2 – They will be the mother of God’s Son. Wow, those two statements would probably knock us down to the floor! So, stop for a moment and just imagine how you would honestly react to that news. Furthermore, imagine if you were that young lady who was touched on the shoulder and spoken to by a, a…. a what??? An angel??? Ok, perhaps you are now beginning to understand why Mary needed a little more convincing! But she was given another big shocker, that her elderly cousin Elizabeth – you know, the barren one? Yes, Elizabeth will also have a child soon. Oh my, how much more could this young lady’s heart take? But she was given the tag that helped her to make sense of all this shocking news, for the angel told her that the author of all this is God, and that nothing is impossible with Him. But, you might ask: why was this included in the Bible for us? Oh my friend, I am hoping that you might be encouraged like I was. For when life seems overwhelming, to whom shall we turn? When we feel like God is sending us in a direction for which we seem so unprepared, how will we succeed? When we can’t seem to have children, and we want them so desperately, how, how, how???? Let us remember the words given to Mary by the angel when she stood in disbelief and wonderment – Nothing is impossible with God! When He promised in His Word to be with us through all phases of life – He will fulfill His promises and see us through. When God leads us into a situation, He will see us through! Remember, the same God that caused a virgin girl to bear the very Son of God, is the same God that we serve today! He is still the same God! I praise God that He is the One that I serve, and the One that I adore. Oh what a Savior!

PRAYER: What a wonderful God we serve! Thank You Jesus, for the sacrifice You made so that my sins would be forgiven and that I may have life everlasting with our Father in heaven! Thank You for using Your children in things like bearing the very Son of God; the miracle of birth to a barren lady; healing of the lame, the blind and dumb. Thank You for showing us that we are more than conquerors when we place our faith and trust in You. Please dear Lord, speak to those that choose to ignore You and the love and victory You provide to all who call You ‘Father’ and ‘Lord’ of their life. Oh that You may be glorified today in all that we are. AMEN!

Our Miraculous God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Believe, Know and Believe, Miracles, Miraculous, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Trust, WorshipLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2019-06-12

Bible Reference: Luke 1:18-20
Translation: The Passion Translation (TPT)

Bible Text: 18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How do you expect me to believe this? I’m an old man and my wife is too old to give me a child. What sign can you give me to prove this will happen?” 19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel. I stand beside God himself. He has sent me to announce to you this good news. 20 But now, since you did not believe my words, you will be stricken silent and unable to speak until the day my words have been fulfilled at their appointed time and a child is born to you. That will be your sign!”

OBSERVATION: Way too often we pray for God’s wisdom; His healing; His direction; and His protection, yet when God is on the move we tend to find explanations on why certain activity is occurring, or we may even attribute the turn in events to ‘good luck’. Oh my, where is our faith truly at? Who is our God? I have two similar Biblical characters to consider today that reacted surprisingly to God’s orders/miracles. Let’s examine our own hearts as we look at this.

APPLICATION: In my Old Testament reading today, there was the story of Balaam. He spoke to God about whether he should visit with king Balak. God directed him not to go. However, Balak was persistent and he sent back a different team of messengers to plead with Balaam to change his mind. Although having been given a Word by God, Balaam went before God each time that Balak’s team of men asked. I can’t imagine God changing His mind, neither telling Balaam that He had made a bad call in His first response. But eventually God saw the need to teach Balaam a lesson by letting him go with the messengers. Then I turned to my New Testament study and found this story of Zechariah, who encountered a similar discipline to that received by Balaam. I’m sure it is easy for us to look down our noses at both of these servants of God and in shock wonder how on earth could they possibly respond in the way that they did. But are we truly any different in our response to God and/or His miraculous work? I don’t think so, for I believe we are equally as bad, or perhaps even worse. Now think about this: we have learned from Balaam, we have learned from Zechariah, and I’m sure there are many other similar examples throughout God’s Word, but way too often we place God in a box only as big as our vision and our capacity. How often do we go beyond those borders? I have a very personal experience, I can share with you from my church: our leaders are stretching and testing their faith in trying to solve a challenge of overcrowding. Through faith in our all-powerful and fully capable God, they are led of God to find property to relocate, or expand our ministries to meet the needs of adequately ministering to the people He is sending our way, and will send our way over the foreseeable future. To approach our God for something like this – something that is several times larger than what we have; something that will meet the needs of ongoing ministries way beyond our ability to imagine – this requires a persistent faith that is strong and immovable. Please consider praying with BFC, Sebring, FL about this need. We want to see Jesus lifted up and glorified, even through our humble efforts. We are convinced that God has blessed us with the crowds He has sent our way, even in spite of a community that is largely unchurched. However, we take the Scripture very seriously, and He has encouraged us with the words, that if I am lifted up, I will draw the people unto myself. We are in a continual mode of lifting up the name of Jesus in all that we do. As for you, may I suggest that you stand in awe of who God is, and all that He has done, plus all that He has the power to do again. Try looking beyond things that your natural eyes can see, and try trusting God in the small and in the great things. Try listening to what God wills, and allow Him to stretch your vision and your faith so that you will openly allow His work to be done for His glory alone.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord Jesus for saving a sinner such as I. It is hard to imagine that a miraculous working God like You, who has the power to do all things, and see all things that are yet to come, yet You loved me enough to use even me in Your mighty work. Lord, my readers and I stand in awe of You. We want to experience your awesome work, and we want to participate in the many blessings that You shower on us each day. Please teach us to pray. Please strengthen our faith to believe and deepen our trust in You for all things. May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, so that You may be glorified in all things. Thank You Heavenly Father for loving even us. AMEN!

Our Responsibility

On By Ed AlgreenIn Actions, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Honest, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Reflect Jesus, Reflecting Christ, WorshipLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2019-06-11

Bible Reference: Psalm 37:30-31
Translation: GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Bible Text: 30 The mouth of the righteous person reflects on wisdom. His tongue speaks what is fair.
31 The teachings of his God are in his heart. His feet do not slip.

OBSERVATION: I believe that very often we go on the premise that because of whose we are, we will automatically do the right thing. However, I feel like the Psalmist is also reminding us that when we claim the name of Christ, we need to be committed to living like Jesus and submissive to His will in our lives. Not sure how you might be doing with that, but I need some time with the Lord to meditate on this. Join me, won’t you?

APPLICATION: I wonder if, in the eyes of a stranger, they would know who our Master is? Who or what drives us and influences our decisions. Under stress, if they met us for the first time, would they recognize who is influencing our defiance, or our calm spirit, even in the midst of the storm? The Psalmist reminds us that our mouth will reflect the wisdom of the One we claim as our Master; our tongue will speak out of fairness if we claim the only true and fair God as our Lord and Savior. He goes on to give us the reason why these good things mysteriously occur in our lives – because of the teachings of our God that we have allowed to indwell our hearts and control our very lives. He declared that when we allow such an influence in our lives, we stand on a solid footing and our lives will reflect the God in whom we place our faith and our trust. Friends, our lives will reflect the One in whom we place our faith and our trust. The decisions that we make and the words that we speak will be a reflection of the teachings that we have permitted to dwell deep within our hearts and souls. If we fill ourselves with evil and the things of this world, then we will make decisions based on those ideas and principles. If, however, we have filled our lives with the things of Christ, His words, His example and His character will influence the decisions we make and the words we speak. Please allow me to be the first to tell you today that the world is carefully watching you, and they are ready to jump on you with great judgment when they see you acting contrary to what they expect from a Christian. So I believe our challenge is, that we react in such a way that the unsaved will want to know the Source of our wisdom, our good judgment, our love for others, and our careful use of words that are representative of our Master. That’s the only way that we will fulfill His purpose and help the unsaved to know Jesus. Preaching to them, or at them, will have minimal impact on them, compared to what they experience from our words and through our actions.

PRAYER: Dearest Lord Jesus, please help us to be more like You in every phase of our life. We know that Your ways are perfect, and that we will only reflect the attitude and character of the One that we love, adore and serve. Please inspire the lives of my readers and myself, so that others will see Jesus in everything we do or say. It’s all about You dear Lord, Oh that we may be a living example of You in every way. AMEN!

Blessed But… Ungrateful?

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

Monday, 2019-06-10

Bible Reference: Numbers 21:4-5
Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

Bible Text: 4 Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey, 5 and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”

OBSERVATION: It would be easy to read this Scripture and criticize the Israelites for their ungratefulness, but can you see yourself in the picture painted above? Let us consider for a few moments today whether we are among the blessed, but still ungrateful….

APPLICATION: Unless you stop to consider your blessings, you might easily get caught up in the idea that all you enjoy each day is just a normal part of life. In other words, you may take for granted all that you enjoy each day, and that it is automatically provided just for you. Unfortunately, when you do this, you become depressed and despondent, like the Israelites, when things are not going the way that you are expecting. But the Israelites showed us how one might react when things are not going as expected. For in spite of all God had done for them already, and all that He continued to do each day for them, yet the Israelites were ready to complain/criticize God and His servant Moses, for what they saw as not enough variety in their meals, and not enough water, and for the extra walk, that was really necessary for their own safety. But what about us, surely we are not that ungrateful, right? May I suggest that you think about this reminder more fully my friend? Don’t you remember waking up to thunder, lightening and rain on a day that you had other plans, and how you whined and complained about yet another day of rain, even though your neighbor had been crying for more rain to help his garden grow better? And don’t forget about the aches and pains that we complain about to all of our friends, or the quality of the food that was provided for us out of the goodness of our neighbors last night, or perhaps the diminishing eyesight as you grow older, etc, etc, etc! Friends, if we look at life as a blessing from God, which it truly is, and if we accept all aspects of life as God-directed, God-blessed, God-ordained and God’s perfect will for our lives, then we should automatically explode in awesome praise when we awake to raindrops on our window, or a car that won’t start, or more money that we could possibly spend in a given week (ha!), for God has a plan for us and He wants to protect us and bless us beyond our ability to understand or appreciate. But let us be deliberate in praising our Master every day for all things, for He truly loves us and, I believe that, He truly wants us to flourish in His many blessings that He careful pours out on us every day.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your loving kindness to the Israelites, in spite of their ungratefulness. Having recognized that we have not learned any good lessons from the Israelites, we must ask Your forgiveness and plead with You for Your ongoing patience with us as we learn to recognize Your goodness and Your mercy towards us. You are an awesome God, and I am thankful for Jesus and the forgiveness of my sins, so that I may call You Father. Oh how I long for my readers and I to one day look full into Your wonderful face and sing endless praises to our King! In the meantime, please help us to do just that each and every day, especially those days when we seem to think that circumstances should be different. AMEN!

Obedience To God’s Will

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

Saturday, 2019-06–8

Bible Reference: Numbers 20:6-12
Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

Bible Text: …. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, 7 and the Lord said to Moses, 8 “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” 9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. We 12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”

OBSERVATION: Obedience to God’s will is vitally important, whether we understand His purpose or not. Remember, “God’s will: nothing more; nothing less; nothing else; at any cost”. Let us meditate on this thought for a few moments today.

APPLICATION: I shouldn’t have to apologize for including so much Scripture today, but it is longer than I usually include, and it’s because I wanted you to understand the basis that God’s reaction in verse 12 was based on. As I read the verses preceding the above, I was so impressed with the attitude of Moses and Aaron to fall on their faces before God in seeking His help for the situation at hand with the ungrateful Israelites. For every little hiccup, the Israelites protested the idea of Moses leading them away from their ‘safe’ life in Egypt, albeit slavery. However, I want us to watch what happens to Moses and Aaron when they delivered on the instruction ordered by God. In verse 10 Moses seemed to have delivered the miracle of God in anger, because he was upset over their grumbling, and absolutely couldn’t understand their need to complain. But more than that, Moses presented the plan to produce water – like it was something he or Aaron would do for the Israelites, in response to their dilemma, and that was wrong. Moreover, Moses took it upon himself to enact the miracle in his own way. But look at what our faithful God did, He still allowed water to flow forth from a rock! He stayed true to His word, even though he felt compelled to deal with Moses and Aaron for their disobedience in not carrying out His plan as designed. You see, God never told Moses to strike the rock twice, and since it was ‘GOD’ who was really behind the miracle, shouldn’t Moses have given credit to God, instead of making it sound like ‘he‘ was the miracle worker? You see, God knew what He was doing, and He gave the instructions to Moses very precisely. He didn’t need Moses to add in the extras. Commentaries also claim that this act of striking the rock, represents the New Testament story of our Rock (Jesus) being stricken, or crucified. And it was unnecessary for Jesus to have been smitten a second time. Friends, this story relays an illustration to us that as we receive a word from God, through His Son Jesus, we need no other confirmation. No other help, and no other word than what He has ordered. Our part is to be obedient to the will of the Father and simply obey Him. There is no need add or take away to God’s word. Let us take note of God’s discipline on Moses and Aaron, for what they did. Let us never forget that God could also discipline us for taking it on ourselves on how we will deliver the word, or action ordered by our Lord. He needs no help from us, than to carry out what He orders us to say or do.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for using even us to carry out Your work here on earth. Thank You for the reminder today, that You need us only to be obedient servants, and no need to add in our ‘two cents’ worth, in thinking that we could help You do it right. We acknowledge that You are God and that only You have the power to perform miracles. Thank You for loving us and showing us through your servants Moses and Aaron, that You may choose to use even us, if we are willing to obediently follow your Commands. Please make us useful for your serve and Your glory oh Lord! AMEN!

God Will Not Forsake His Saints

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

Monday, 2019-06-03

Bible Reference: Psalm 37:4-7
Translation: The Passion Translation (TPT)

Bible Text: 4 Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life, and he will provide for you what you desire the most.
5 Give God the right to direct your life, and as you trust him along the way you’ll find he pulled it off perfectly!
6 He will appear as your righteousness, as sure as the dawning of a new day. He will manifest as your justice, as sure and strong as the noonday sun.
7 Quiet your heart in his presence and pray; keep hope alive as you long for God to come through for you. and don’t think for a moment that the wicked in their prosperity are better off than you.

OBSERVATION: Words spoken by a man with experience, are normally taken very seriously by those around him. For example, if I was to consider starting a woodworking project, I would listen very attentively to a carpenter friend. In our Scripture today, David is sharing from his personal experience, how trustworthy his/our God is. I believe it deserves our attention and our meditation today as we consider what he shared in this Psalm.

APPLICATION: Prior to these verses, David shared the challenges that the wicked face with so many challenges in life, yet they have no one of integrity or worth to run to. However, for the follower of Christ things are quite different – because we have a connection with the very Creator of this universe! But notice how David specifically directs us into having a very intimate and trusted relationship with the Master. In other words, the type of relationship that we are actively involved in, and not just one that we feel associated with, or that we could call on when we need some magical intervention in our lives. Friends, I love to compare our intimate relationship with God to that with our spouse. For you see, when I treat my Savior with the respect and trust that is required to share the joys and challenges of my heart, then I believe that I have built an intimate relationship with my Lord – one where I might trust in His goodness; plead for His guidance and His help; and believe in His power to handle the challenges of life that often seem overwhelming to me. I don’t believe for a moment that David was cheering us on to trust in a Savior that we barely know, or one that we meet with a few times a year when we visit church, or one that is tucked away and can be called on when we have trouble brewing in our lives. Read verse 4 again and meditate on the preface of this whole Scripture reading today. It begins with us delighting in, and desiring from, the very God that we have invited to lead and direct our life. So allow me to suggest that you make it a priority today to sure up your relationship with God. I believe that He is either King over all things in our lives, or He is not King at all to you. Only you will know how much of your life you have surrendered to God, but remember I said that He must be God of all, or else He will know that He is not really God at all for you. Trust in Him my friend, and watch for His amazing and miraculous works in your life. I love the words in verse 7, where David advised us to long for our Savior, and long for His goodness in our lives. I believe He longs for this type of relationship with us, but we must allow Him to do that. It’s now your turn dear one. What action will you take today to sure up your relationship with your Lord?

PRAYER: Thank You Lord, for Your mercies on me! For all You have done, in providing a Savior so that I may have life eternally in heaven with You, I say thank You Lord, for Your mercies on me. For watching over me each and every day, and providing me with the health and ability to carry on, I say thank You dear Lord for Your mercies on me. For the friends You have directed to read this devotional and draw closer to You, I say thank You Lord for Your lifelong mercies on Your children. Please speak to hearts today as each one is reminded of the words of David. May we all be reminded of the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords, who stands ready and willing to forgive us and accept us, if only we would sincerely ask. Thank You Lord for Your mercies on us. AMEN!

Appreciate The Good Things of God

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

Saturday, 2019-06-01

Bible Reference: Numbers 14:21-23
Translation: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Bible Text: 21 But I tell you the truth. As surely as I live and as surely as the Glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, I make you this promise: 22 None of the people I led out of Egypt will ever see the land of Canaan. They saw my glory and the great signs that I did in Egypt and in the desert. But they disobeyed me and tested me ten times. 23 I promised their ancestors that I would give them that land. But none of those people who turned against me will ever enter that land!

OBSERVATION: It is so easy to read about the ungratefulness of others, especially in response to miraculous works by a leader that constantly shows their appreciation, love and direction to them. That’s the story of the Israelites as they traveled through the Wilderness under the watchful eye and protective hand of the Master. But what have we really learned from that story? Are we in constant awe and full of appreciation for what God does for us? Let’s stop to ponder that for a few minutes today.

APPLICATION: It is so easy to read about the rescue of the Israelites from slavery at the hands of the Egyptians, and to see the miraculous works of God as He led them through years and years of travel through the wilderness. There He saved them from slaughter by approaching armys; provided food for over 1,000,000 people; gave direction and protection to them as they traveled, and held a token out in front of them by their ultimate destination being a land of milk and honey. Isn’t it extremely upsetting to think of them grumbling in the midst of all the awesome things that surrounds this story? Isn’t it good to know that we are so much better at that than they were? BUT wait, are we?? I tried to place a positive spin on the title of today’s devotion, instead of what I was really feeling like God might say to us at times – ‘Just quit the griping and complaining’!! Just in case you are blinded to really see how little we have changed, let me suggest that not a whole lot has changed. Friends, using the backdrop of the awful complaining by the Israelites in response to all the good that God was doing for them, I want us to turn our eyes to our own lives and our challenges that we deal with each day. From the time that we awaken each day, from our comfortable beds in super cool air-conditioning, we may start by complaining that it’s so warm outside, and furthermore I have to get off to work. Let’s stop right there for a moment and remind ourselves that many have no choice but to endure that warm/hot air 24 hours per day; Some are currently out of their homes because of flooding, tornadoes or simply due to financial problems, and many of these may not be able to return to their homes. So do we have something to be thankful for? Then of course our complaining continues into the choice of food we have for breakfast, or the broken down vehicle that we drive to work, or the time of day that we have to report to work. While many others could only wish that they had each of the above. Friends, may I suggest to you that we should learn from the Israelites to appreciate all that God provides for us each and every day. Yes, our greed and our selfish desires always tend to want something different and superior to what we have, but as we look into the eyes of our Master, what can we truly say? Thank You, thank you, thank You Lord for Your mercy and Your kindness to Your humble servant. Who am I to deserve such grace, and such love from such an awesome God? Please forgive us for our ungratefulness Lord. Please help us to always look at all You endured so that we might have eternal life, and a home in glory with You. Your love for us, and Your daily gifts to us are beyond anything we could measure, so may we always find room in our hearts to praise You and rejoice in all Your tender mercies, for You alone are God!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, You are so good! We are such a needy people and we cannot do this thing called ‘life’ here on this earth without You. There are so many things that we take for granted, but that we know you have provided for our good. Thank You Lord for Your mercies on us. Mercies that will endure day after day! We really have no room to complain, for Your goodness deserves our praise and our daily echo of thanksgiving. We worship You oh Lord, and we long to see You face-to-face in heaven one day. Until that time, please give us grateful hearts that will express your praise at every opportunity. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org 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 or listening to this devotional, please go to 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. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. 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!

Man’s Picture vs God’s Reality

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

Third day, 2019-05-30

Bible Reference: Numbers 11:21-23
Translation: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Bible Text: 21 Moses said, “There are 600,000 soldiers here, and you say, ‘I will give them enough meat to eat for a whole month!’ 22 If we were to kill all the sheep and cattle, that would still not be enough to feed this many people for a month. And if we caught all the fish in the sea, it would not be enough for them!”
23 But the Lord said to Moses, “Don’t limit my power! You will see that I can do what I say I can do.”

OBSERVATION: Moses was blown away with what God said He would do, and this was partially due to the fact that Moses was looking through the lens of man’s physical limitations. But I believe that we think so logically, that we just find it very challenging to see beyond that. Let’s think about how God settled this for Moses, then think about the mountains in our own lives and how we need to surrender those to the Master.

APPLICATION: There’s a song ‘Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?‘. I initially typed ‘mountains’ instead of ‘rivers’, but I bet we all can identify with the song, no matter which object is used! For there are times when our challenges are much bigger than anything we have answers for, or that we could overcome. But friend of God, let’s be reminded that there is also another song that reminds us that ‘Nothing is impossible‘ when we place our trust in Jesus! The interesting part of the story with Moses is that God said He would feed meat to the Israelites for 30 days, and Moses took it as his responsibility to determine where he would get the meat from for God to do as He promised! That is almost comical my friend, for if God takes us to it, He will take us through it! He is not one who makes a promise and then turns around, scratches His head and tries to figure out how He will accomplish His work. If He said it, we could go to the bank with that, sit back and just watch Him accomplish whatever He said He would do. I’m sure that we are no different to Moses in wanting to be involved, wanting to help, and wanting to figure out how we could solve planet earth’s problems. But stop to remember how many other miracles Moses had already seen, and yet he still didn’t just take God at His word and sit back in wonderment while God accomplished the miraculous act that He promised. Friends, let’s remember that we serve an awesome God and that He can and will do everything that He has promised, and that He might promise you today. So let us therefore place our trust in Him, depend on Him, and be ready to praise Him as we see Him accomplish His work. Remember that mountains are only obstacles for us, not for our awesome God!

PRAYER: Lord, we have faith, but every day we need more, for we struggle to see beyond the limitations of our own eyes. I believe that each reader of this devotional will face mountains, or rivers of some form today. Oh that we might constantly be reminded that greater is He that lives inside of us than he that is in this world. In fact, You, Mighty God, created the mountains and the rivers, so You control them. Lord, as You look on feeble man today, please once again touch and encourage your children to keep our eyes fixed on You, our all-powerful God, through whom all things are possible! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org 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 or listening to this devotional, please go to 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. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. 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!