Category: Saved

Not Me, But GOD!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Awesome God, Chosen by God, Encounter with God, SavedLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   1 Corinthians 12:6-7 (TLB)

TEXT:  6 There are many ways in which God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us who are his. 7 The Holy Spirit displays God’s power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church.

OBSERVATION:   I believe in these verses Paul intended to help the church to know the importance of drawing close to God so that He could draw close to them and use them for the enrichment of each other. This speaks volumes to the church today, because when we go off doing our own thing it might only benefit our small circle of friends, however when we allow the Holy Spirit to direct us into action and showing love one to another, we will see the church (God’s body of believers) enriched, blessed and uplifted. How do you feel like you’re doing in this, friends?

APPLICATION:   If we were to sit down and evaluate how we are doing individually, I believe that Satan will automatically drive our thoughts possibly towards the pastor and what he could be doing differently, or more of. Satan might also drive us towards all that we’ve heard about other leaders in the church, or even members that we’ve always looked up to. You know what I mean, it’s everyone else’s fault – except yours. Really, friends? Do we really believe that there are any here that are perfect, like Jesus Christ was? Paul took a moment to express to the church that it is only because of the grace of God, and the power of God, working in and through us (the church) that anything could be accomplished for Him. Oh that we would never be so bold and/or stupid enough to study God’s Word, or teach His Word to others or preach His Word, without the full cooperation and help of the Holy Spirit. We are His instruments, and therefore He uses us to speak to His children, so that their hearts may be drawn to Jesus. That whole encounter is a ‘Jesus thing’ that we never want to mess up. May we all be faithful and true, so that we may be used of God to spread the gospel in all walks of life, so that Jesus might tug on the hearts of all who are touched by Him.

PRAYER:   Thank You Lord Jesus for touching my heart, thank You for making me whole. Please give my believing readers and I, the boldness and determination to reach out to all those that we will come into contact with today, and as we merely brush up alongside these individuals, I pray that You will penetrate their hearts and draw them unto Yourself. Oh that they will see Jesus today, and come to know Him personally and intimately as their Savior and Lord. Today may be the day that many will come to know You as Lord, but I also realize that today may be the day that You call many home to Yourself. May Your perfect will be done dear Lord, AMEN!

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

, thank You for making me whole

The Circle of (Christian) Life

On By Ed AlgreenIn Heaven, SavedLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Romans 15:4-6 (VOICE)

TEXT:  4 You see, everything written in the days of old was recorded to give us instructions for living. We find encouragement through the Scriptures and a call to perseverance that will produce hopeful living. 5 I pray that our God, who calls you and gives you perseverance and encouragement, will join all of you together to share one mind according to Jesus the Anointed. 6 In this unity, you will share one voice as you glorify the one True God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, our Liberating King.

OBSERVATION:   I was excited to see that although God created us to worship Him, Paul shared with the church that it was equally as important to realize the work of God through His earlier saints who recorded God’s awesome works. In fact Paul alluded to the fact that we should learn enough from their writings, that we might receive guidance and wisdom for life that would cause us all to glorify God together with others who are reaching for the same goal. This is important to us today as well, so let us meditate on this for a while…

APPLICATION:   In the family movie by Walt Disney World titled ‘The Lion King’, kids were brought to the real life example of how God created animals to survive, sometimes even when it involves eating other animals. I was reminded of the idea portrayed in that movie when I read these verses today, because Paul taught us that it is not necessary to recreate the wheel. Our forefathers depended on God, and they shared their experiences and God’s teachings with us through the words in our Book of Instructions, better known as The Bible. Paul warned us a long time ago that as we learn from the Word of God, we will often find that not everyone will agree on the interpretation, however Paul encouraged us to try and work through our problems by keeping that one book at the center of our churches. He showed us that when we are all on the ‘same page’ in our belief system and serving the same God, there will be great joy in our midst and we will be driven to worship the one true God talked about in that one Book. In other words friends, we were created to worship our Creator; Satan led us astray where we did everything else but worship God; however, once our eyes are reopened to the truth of God (through His Word), then we will return to intimate worship to our God. So what do you suppose breaks this circle? May I suggest that it is the power of Satan working through the weaker links. This results in church splits; additional denominations; smaller personalized churches; but the most critical reason of all is that the unsaved sit back and watch all of this going on and realize how blessed they are to stay out of the confusion of so-called ‘Christians’. Friend of God, I believe you will be reminded that some churches will serve the good purposes of the almighty God, while some will look like a ball of fire to the unbeliever that they will want to stay far enough away from. I would dare say that our God is not a God of confusion and disappointments. He loved this world so much that He gave His one and only Son as a living sacrifice, so that any of us that believe on Him will have life forever. In that promise, we are also assured that when we pass from this earth in death, we will live with God in the heavens forever thereafter. Let us therefore keep our eyes fixed on the ultimate goal – heaven with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, and let us live our life now following the will of the Father, until we see Him face to face! Oh what a day that will be!!

PRAYER:   Lord Jesus, please help us to get over ourselves and keep our eyes fixed on You, the author and finisher of our faith. Please give us strength and fortitude to recognize trouble, and Satan’s endeavors, and to lean on Your power in those times to help us avoid and defend against evil. Please help us to remember that there are friends and unsaved loved ones that need to see Jesus and His mighty works, so there is no time to be messing up and letting You down through our words and actions. Oh that they may see Jesus in us, is my humble plea today. AMEN! 

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

 

With Praise and Honor to God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Forgiven, Forgiveness, God our Helper, Help, Honor, Our Help comes from God, SavedLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Psalm 79:9 (NCV)

TEXT:   God our Savior, help us
so people will praise you.
Save us and forgive our sins
so people will honor you.

OBSERVATION:   Asaph, the writer of Psalm 79, felt like God was punishing the nation of Israel for all their past sins. So in his petitions to God, he included this verse while pleading with God to save his nation. Oh that we may be so concerned about the sins of our respective nations where we live, and so deeply moved to write a similar verse to God asking Him to use us as instruments of change, instead of us adding fuel to the already hot fire of sin. 

APPLICATION:   I believe it is evident from everything we see, hear and do, that Satan has turned up the heat on our young people and on our adult population. Unfortunately, the church – members and attendees, have become so lukewarm, selfish, segregated and standoffish that the church has lost its impact on our society. More and more laws and rules have been implemented because Christians have not been active before the throne in prayer. Why would children of God ever settle in their faith knowing that their leaders have approved and are ok with the killing of unborn babies. Why would we ever settle in our faith knowing that the drugs that have either killed loved ones or totally destroyed their minds, are now becoming mainstream, and approved drugs? First approved for apparent medical use, but in many states of America quickly being followed with approval for recreational use. Friends, when are we ever going to follow the example of 2 Chronicles 7:14. When are we ever going to surrender to God as Asaph did in our focal Scripture today? Oh friends, where does our help come from? We do not resort to crime against the criminals, we have a Savior that loves them just like He loves us. Fortunately He can also touch their hearts and convince them of their sin. Our part is to encourage those who are slaves to the sins of this world, and to follow the example of 2 Chronicles 7:14. To do this, we can plead with God like the Psalmist did: Help us Lord, so that the people (those that we pray with, and for) will praise You. Save us from our own weaknesses and desire to sin so that the people may honor You. Notice that in both Scriptures that I referenced, that prayer is more than going before God for our own selfish desires. We can all look around us and see things that are happening that really hurts our soul. What are we doing about it? I know, we are so small in the whole scope of things, and that there is very little that we can do, right? Please friends, don’t let Satan pull that one on you, because we serve the God that put this whole world together. He created the complex bodies that we live in, and He loves us enough that He willingly went to the cross, knowing that it would be through His shed blood that we could have eternal life in glory. He brought the dead back to life, and He intervened in battles and saved very small armies from very large opposers. Don’t you think that we can trust Him with the issues that we face today? You better believe it! I don’t believe that there is anything bearing on our hearts that God won’t listen to, care about, and seek to answer if appropriate.   

PRAYER:   Thank You Lord for caring about Your children and all that we are concerned about. We are so sorry for the mess that is evident in our world today. As I read the Old Testament and see the awful things that You dealt with there, I am astonished….. until I reflect on the awful things that You are still dealing with today – even in my country, state and city. Lord, please impress the seriousness of the hour to all ‘Christians’. Please impress upon us the need to clarify and commit our own lives fully to You and Your service, so that when ‘Your people’ decides to humble themselves and pray, You will hear our prayer. As the Psalmist said, may all glory be Yours in whatever is accomplished. AMEN!

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

 

Who Are You Lying To?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Moment of Truth, Salvation, Saved, True to the WordLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Wednesday, 2017-12-27
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Acts 5:3-4 (MSG)

Text:

 3-4 Peter said, “Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to God.”
OBSERVATION:
In chapter 4, we were told about how unified the disciples and Christians were in living together and pooling their resources to create community, and dependencies on one another. Joseph, also called Barnabas, showed a huge example of this by giving to the disciples 100% of what he sold a piece of land for. Another couple, Ananias and Sapphira wanted to be just like Barnabas, so they also sold land, but they decided to hold back a portion, and give the remainder to the disciples, under the pretense that it was the full amount. God hates pretense, so we need to look at this closer…
APPLICATION:
When God knows right down to our innermost thoughts, what do you suppose that we prove by trying to hold out on Him, or anyone else? Personally, I remember in tithing where I gave a full 10% of my net pay, and often when finances were tight, old Satan would cause me to question the amount I was giving to God. However, at a revival service we were challenged on our giving. We were invited to take our wallets out, and in our prayer to God ask Him to take control of all that He gives to us and allows us to earn. That night I was challenged to begin giving on my gross salary, so that I would be giving to God the first fruits of my earnings. Friends that was probably 10 – 13 years ago, and I have been blessed with the necessary finances ever since. Now, I don’t believe that this lesson is holy and solely about money, but more about the heart. The Christian faith is not one where we preach about doing what we say and not as much on what we do, for it is about a relationship with the Master Creator of this universe, including you and I. I once wrote a fairly complex software program that would run a whole bank. Whenever I received a call about something not working the way it should, my mind would go to all the possible programming around that part of the program. Why then do we feel like we can get away with Satan’s tactics when God, the Creator, knows so much about His precious creation? Do we think for a moment that we are fooling God – the Maker of all things, or are we simply fooling ourselves by thinking that we could pull off our shenanigans without anyone knowing – even God? It just doesn’t work that way friends? Mom, dad, sisters, brothers, friends, coworkers, pastors and everyone else might not realize what we are up to, but the God who created us, and knows all things, always has His finger on the pulse of what is going on in our lives. So why not ‘fess up friends, and do it right the first time, and every time, by asking God to forgive you of all your past sin. Welcome His Son, Jesus, into your heart and life and create a personal relationship with Him, then through the power of the Holy Spirit, ask Him to show you how to live in accordance with His perfect will. Others will soon question you about what has happened in your life, because of the change evident in your walk and in your talk. God can do just that for you, my friend, if you’ll let Him.
PRAYER:
Precious Savior, thank You for being a stable friend that we can depend on and place our faith in. A plumb-line by which we can measure right from wrong, and a loyal friend that we can depend on through all phases of life. I personally thank You for persuading me to surrender my life to You many years ago, but I am just as dependent on You today as I have always been, because I want to live life perfectly and in accordance with Your will, even in a broken and sinful world. For my readers and I that are serious about our relationship with You, please help us to live like You taught us to, and talk like You exampled for us while You were here on earth. For the curious and the lost, please soften their hearts once again today Lord, and may they be reminded about the truths of Your Word in several ways today – to the point that it may cause them to surrender wholly and solely to You oh Lord. AMEN!
FOOTNOTE:
There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’.  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

A Community of Believers

On By Ed AlgreenIn Church, Humble, Humbleness, Humility, Salvation, Saved, The ChurchLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Wednesday, 2017-12-20
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Acts 2:42-44 (ERV)

Text:

 42 The believers spent their time listening to the teaching of the apostles. They shared everything with each other. They ate together and prayed together. 43 Many wonders and miraculous signs were happening through the apostles, and everyone felt great respect for God. 44 All the believers stayed together and shared everything.
OBSERVATION:
Peter and the apostles taught the Word of God and many were saved. At one time over 3,000 joined the church in one day. I believe that these verses may hold the secret, or the key to the reason for the success in these services that started at Pentecost. I wonder if this could be repeated today? I wonder why there was such success? Let’s dig in and have a look…
APPLICATION:
I believe the biggest divide in churches today is probably caused by a few things: 1). Satan is determined to slow, or stop the work of the Holy Spirit and the advancement of God’s kingdom here on earth. 2). Riches and favoritism is probably one of the greatest divides in churches, for the affluent wants what they want, when they want it, or they will stop financially supporting the church and move to another one. This can even affect what is spoken from the pulpit, as the last thing some pastors want, is to ‘step on the toes’ of those that places food on the church family’s table. 3). The less affluent will soon feel left out, or abandoned, or ignored, and will move to a church where they feel like the love of God is extended to all attendees or members. As for this church referred to in these verses, everyone sold what they had and placed the money in a common account for the good of the whole congregation. Going before the throne of grace at that time, then meant that they were all equal in earthly things. It meant that they all went to God with their hands held out, waiting for His blessing and provision. It meant that anything achieved could only come from God. Can you imagine how humbling that would be today if everyone was in the same position when they stood before God? What impact do you suppose this would have on: our pride; our humbleness; our understanding and appreciation of each other; and our ability to feel what others are feeling outside of our group? I believe it will make all the difference in the world, and I believe that it will open our eyes to what it will be like when we stand before Jesus on Judgment Day. Perhaps despondent people will then flock to our churches, and to Christ. No matter how much money we ask our family to pack into our casket with us, we will stand before Christ just as we came into the world – of no earthly value. Perhaps we could learn today to reconsider our attitude toward others, and especially humble ourselves before Jesus as just another sinner saved by grace. If you have not surrendered your life to Jesus Christ yet, may I encourage you to make that a priority today? This may be the last opportunity you will have to approach Him from here on earth, and I really want you to be ready, friend.
PRAYER:
Lord, You used Your servants to minister to Your children gathered for that first Pentecost meeting recorded above. I believe that You are just as concerned for Your children today, and that You want them to be saved and/or encouraged to humble themselves before You just as they are. Thank You for opening our eyes today dear Lord, and thank You for giving us a second chance to rid ourselves of pride and all unrighteousness. Please make us holy, even as You are holy. AMEN!
FOOTNOTE:
There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’.  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

How to Be Safe From Satan’s Power

On By Ed AlgreenIn Salvation, SavedLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Thursday, 2017-11-30
SCRIPTURE

From:

 John 17:14-17 (TLB)

Text:

 14 I have given them your commands. And the world hates them because they don’t fit in with it, just as I don’t. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from Satan’s power. 16 They are not part of this world any more than I am. 17 Make them pure and holy through teaching them your words of truth.
OBSERVATION:
It is very evident that Jesus sincerely loved and cared for those that He chose to be His disciples and followers. Here He is pleading with the Father to especially care for them, because He was about to leave them and return to the Father. I believe that Jesus led the way for us, and showed us the importance in praying that God would protect His chosen people and set them aside from the grip of the evil one. We can see that this is even more applicable today with all of the temptations that come our way, especially when making an effort to serve God faithfully.
APPLICATION:
Most of us meditating on this Scripture today will identify with the love expressed by Jesus towards His children, including those of us that call Him Lord and personal Savior. Jesus helps us to also recognize where our trouble and opposition begins, for in His prayer to the Father He asked that His kids be kept safe from the power of Satan. Friends, I believe that this is still our biggest challenge today, for Satan is terribly upset when he sees people of the world (his domain) give up drugs, or crime, or a life of wild parties, to follow Jesus and find a new life of peace, tranquility and assurance of their eternal destiny, in heaven. Just like any good parent would feel or do, we want the very best for our kids, and we want them to know that we love them unconditionally. Of course, Jesus took this love to extremes, and way more than many of us would even consider – He willingly went to the cross of Calvary and gave up His life and endured a cruel death so that His kids would find peace in knowing God personally through the sacrifice made on the cross. Just as we look at every scenario when wanting to leave town and our children, so that we could make sure they are taken good care of, so Jesus shows the concern and love for His children in this Scripture. I believe that Jesus still cares for us and will still go to every extreme to love and care for us, however throughout God’s Word it is clear that God shows favor to His own. So it is extremely important that if this appeals to you today, that you do a heart check, and if you have not already surrendered your heart to Jesus and can call Him Lord, that this would be the glorious day of salvation for you!
PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us so much that You even make sure that we are cared for by the Father. Lord, I pray that we might never take that for granted, but instead add that to our praise list every time we pray. Please touch the lives of those that we love and who have not surrendered their lives to You yet. I realize that we have no assurance of life here on this earth beyond the very moment that we are in, so I’m really concerned about their procrastination. For those of us that already know You as Lord, may we be found faithful to the call on our lives by You, our Master and Lord. In awesome appreciation I give you thanks oh Lord, AMEN!
FOOTNOTE:
There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’.  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

Salvation is Instant

On By Ed AlgreenIn Eternal Life, Eternity, Forgiven, Forgiveness, Salvation, SavedLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Saturday, 2017-09-16
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Luke 23:42-43 (ERV)

Text:

  42 Then he (the criminal) said, “Jesus, remember me when you begin ruling as king!”
43 Then Jesus said to him, “I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
OBSERVATION:
I found it interesting that at least two of the ways that people tend to think of salvation today, occurred in these two verses. First, that if I ask for salvation today then eventually I will be saved. The second is in Jesus’ response, that today, you are saved. Because I believe that some still believe in one of these concepts and some in the other, I believe that we should examine the two….
APPLICATION:
On the day that I was born, my mom and dad was given the date and time of my birth. They were not told that if he survives 90 days then you can start the clock running for the beginning of his life, or you will be granted a birth certificate at that time. On the day I got married, my wife and I were given marriage certificates, certifying that we were married on a given date and time in a certain place by a certain pastor. What I have found in Christianity, is that some will say that their journey began when they were influenced by this person and grew as they attended church and matured when they saw answered prayer over an illness. I wonder when the criminal might have considered himself saved if this logic was used? Perhaps Jesus would have told him: sorry buddy, you are just too late in the game? Did you notice that God had been speaking to the criminal before he spoke these words to Jesus? He knew all about the good deeds of Jesus; that he was wrongly accused, and that He was being crucified as an innocent man. I’m sure that the criminal watched the attitude of Jesus throughout the whole march up to Calvary as well. Most importantly, did you notice that Jesus didn’t regurgitate all the sins and/or crimes of the criminal when He was asked to accept him? Jesus simply said to him, what He would simply respond to the vilest offender today: today, you are Mine. Today, should you die, you will be with me in eternity! Friends, let me encourage you to think back to the day and the time that you asked Jesus to forgive you of your sin and accept you as His very own son or daughter. Let me encourage you to write that down somewhere, and embed that in your mind, because as long as you are on this earth, its leader (Satan) will still be on your heels and he will cause you to doubt, or question your salvation. Take Satan back to the place, day and time where you secured your salvation with Jesus Christ, and order him to flee from you, for you serve a new Master now and it’s not him! Of course you will mature in your Christian walk as you learn more about the life, ministry and teachings of Jesus, but keep your markers in place friend regarding the day you decided to serve only Him.
PRAYER:
Father, You are all merciful and understanding of the effects that this world has on your precious children. I know that the angels rejoice when one makes a decision that they want heaven as their eternal home and You as their triumphant leader from the point of salvation and forevermore! Thank You for the awesome plan You put in place for us! Thank You for the gift of Your precious Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to guide us through this earthly life that is bombarded by sin on every turn. We are anxious for our eternal home, but until then, anxious about all that You can do through us to help yet another beggar (sinner) see the Light of the World – Jesus! Please direct us and use us as instruments molded by You. AMEN!
FOOTNOTE:
There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’.  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

God Hears and Acts on the Cry of His People

On By Ed AlgreenIn Merciful Savior, Salvation, Saved, Savior, Wonderful SaviorLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Wednesday, 2017-08-30
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Judges 3:9-10; 15 (NLT)

Text:

  9 But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother, Kenaz. 10 The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge…..

15 But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord again raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed man of the tribe of Benjamin.
OBSERVATION:
God overcame many obstacles for the Israelites and provided them a land that they described as ‘flowing with milk and honey’. However, when they settled and became happy in all that they had, they assumed their old habits and turned their face against God. When they did this, God allowed them to become servants of the very ones that God left in the land to teach them, by opposing their religion and their beliefs. When they felt like they could take no more, they made 2 Chronicles 7:14 their very own and sought the face of God. In just a few verses we recognize the fact that God never gives up on us and hears our cry when we cry out to Him.
APPLICATION:
When I meditated on these verses, I was reminded of a popular verse that is often quoted in times of national or large scale crisis, 2 Chronicles 7:14, where the Lord told us that if we humble ourselves and pray and seek His face, then we can be assured that He would hear from heaven and heal our land….. In our Scripture today, we see where God was teaching the Israelites a very difficult lesson, and I might add that it very much applies to us today. God rescued His people from Egypt in a miraculous turn of events, and allowed two men whose main qualifications were trusting in God and allowing Him to lead their every move. God brought these thousands of people through some very testing and challenging times, but He lovingly took care of them for 40 years as they plundered through the wilderness to their final destination near the Jordan River. By the time of their arrival, God was dealing with a whole new generation, so there were some important lessons that He needed to teach them. So He left some of the original inhabitants in place, while giving some strict rules to the Israelites about their interaction with them. In very similar fashion to most of us reading this blog, the Israelites had their needs met by God, and very soon they fit right into the culture and sins of those that God warned them about. Unfortunately, I believe that we are more like the Israelites, that we read about in the Old Testament, than we might care to believe. In our times of crisis, we know where to run. But as soon as we see that God is in control, we lessen our commitment to Him and wander off again. Friends, Jesus said that not even to He knows the day and time of God’s return to take His remaining saints home to glory. However, what we all know, is that He will come to take only His saints with Him. These are ones who have surrendered their lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ and are seriously committed to Him. Do you remember the day that you made that commitment to Jesus? If you have never done this, then you are unprepared for that great evacuation. Yes, God sent a savior for the Israelites when they cried out to Him. God also sent a Savior for those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. In both cases, only those who believe in the mighty works of the one sent, will be saved. If you have any doubt at all about where you will spend eternity, if Jesus returns today, please read my Footnote and look up the Scriptures quoted in the link for ‘To Know Jesus’. Please follow my suggestions, and then contact me so that I might pray with you, and rejoice with you about your decision!
PRAYER:
Lord, You took the Israelites to their knees after suffering for years under the leadership of the enemy. Many in our family and network of friends have drifted off to the leadership of the enemy – Satan. Lord we cry out to You today for saints to be totally committed to You, if they have truly surrendered their hearts to You. Please show them how important this is in their witness to unbelievers. I also ask that You would once again humble the hearts of those who need to make a decision to accept You today. Lord, may this be the day – PLEASE? I ask these things in faith and through the wonderful name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. AMEN!
FOOTNOTE:
There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’.  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

Tough Love

On By Ed AlgreenIn Love, Loyalty, Prayer, Salvation, Saved, SaviorLeave a comment

Thursday, 2016-10-20

Scripture

Bible Reference: Jeremiah 48:35–36

Bible Text:  35 “I will put an end to Moab,” says the LORD, “for the people offer sacrifices at the pagan shrines and burn incense to their false gods. 36 My heart moans like a flute for Moab and Kir-hareseth, for all their wealth has disappeared.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

As parents we are often pressed to express tough love with our children, as they are so clever in trying to manipulate us into spoiling them and providing everything possible for them. Because we have invested so much of our lives into our kids, and because of the deep love that we have for them, it is extremely challenging for us to say ‘no’ or handle them with ‘tough love’. Imagine then how challenging it is for the God of this universe to destroy parts of His creation that He made with such pride. Imagine the love expressed when He provided the ultimate sacrifice (His Son, Jesus) for us to overcome/throw off the filth of sin, and become eligible for His kingdom. In our scripture today we see an example of God’s tough love with the people of Moab. God loved them with such heart-felt love, that His very heart moaned in agony for their well-being. However the people were so immersed in sin that they chose to worship the gods that they could see – the ones that other leaders placed before them to worship and supposedly provide for them. As we read this account, we may be challenged to see the issue here, because we may quickly conclude that the Moabites deserved destruction because of their stubbornness, disobedience, worldly affection and for having taken their eyes off God. However, let me be quick to warn you friend, that in our world today, we are probably as bad, or worse than the Moabites. Please, no throwing of rotten eggs! Let me explain: a well-known verse of scripture that many have heard, and many may even be able to recite, tells us: (John 3:16) – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Please carefully note what that verse says, and hopefully you can rejoice in the promise that lies ahead for you, because you have surrendered your will and your life, to believe in the one true God, through His Son, Jesus. In comparison to the scripture on the Moabites, I want you to read John 3:16 again, and particularly notice what it does not say. Notice that the Word says that if you believe, or for those who believe, they will have eternal life. BUT, what do you suppose that verse is saying about those who don’t believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? Friends, recent statistics revealed that only 9% of Americans believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you suppose that the Moabite statistics were worse than that? May I remind you friend, that there are only two options for us, just as it was for the Moabites. We know from John 3:16 that the eternal destination for those who Believe on Jesus, is heaven (Praise the wonderful name of Jesus!!). However, scripture also tells us that all others are living for Satan and will join him in Hell for an eternity of damnation and destruction. I believe that God is very sad to know that so many of His kids have decided to live like the devil and settle for such damnation. Unfortunately, that’s 91% of Americans, and probably a similar percentage for other countries. For Christians who have sincerely yearned for the ‘heart of Christ’, I believe that our hearts are likewise saddened by this reality today. So much so, that I am hoping that you will join me in prayer for the unsaved today. 91 out of every 100 people that we come into contact with today could potentially be in danger of eternal destruction. Friends, let us pray……..

Prayer

Lord Jesus, Redeemer, Savior of this world, God’s very Son: thank You for the sacrifice You made so that we might have eternal life. I can only imagine how Your heart is saddened by the number of Your children who have chosen to reject that sacrificial gift of love that You have made available to them. Like the Moabites, many have chosen to ignore, refuse and reject the gift You have offered, and to worship the gods of entertainment, sports, pornography, self-fulfillment and lust that saturates their minds through constant advertising and frequent pop-ups on computer screens. It is so unfortunate that often it takes a disaster of some sort to really get the attention of many folk, but Lord in a proactive approach today, may I ask that You please burden the hearts of Christians to frequently bow their knees before You in prayer for their unsaved family and friends. Because the necessary decisions can only happen through changed hearts, we acknowledge that our part can only be in loving these ones, and lifting them up to You on a regular basis, so that You may impact the heart. We are concerned dear Lord. Please ease our concern as we pray. For I ask these things in the name of the only One who can change hearts, Jesus, the Christ, AMEN

Footnote

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

 

Determined To Achieve The Goal

On By Ed AlgreenIn Forgiven, goal, SavedLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: Hebrews 12:1–3
Today’s Bible Text: Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God’s throne! So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won’t get discouraged and give up.
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take Away: I was intrigued to learn that one of my Sunday School students had shaved all the hair from his arms and legs so that he might gain a few seconds in a swim meet he was about to undertake! I have similar stories about boat racing, where the owners would find the best possible paint for the bottom of the boat to ensure that the boat would move along effortlessly in the water on race day. Cars are very similar, because we are cautioned to remove any unnecessary weight in order to facilitate the best gas mileage. In this scripture today we are reminded that we should keep our eyes fixed on those saints that have gone this road already and have set great examples for us to follow. I believe the Word is declaring that we should be ready to set aside the many excuses that Satan will fill our minds with, about why we can’t be an effective witness. I’m sure that you have also heard folk say things like: well you know, if we had the power of that staff that Moses carried, then perhaps we could also prove to our listeners that God is alive and active – but how many of us could survive the ridicule, the mocking or the ungratefulness displayed by the very people that Moses helped? How about the faith of Peter to step out of the boat, and on to the water because Jesus was beckoning him to come to Him – that would help us to prove the awesome power of God, right? But we all know the weaknesses of Peter before and after that moment. Friends, I agree that we have a lot of great witnesses that have proven the tremendous power of the God we serve, but these verses today are suggesting that we must begin the shedding process if we ever expect to turn loose of the temptations and trials of this world help us hostage to. You see, God wants (and deserves) our undivided attention. He wants us to throw away the cell phones, for example, so that He could speak to our hearts clearly – undistracted by anything else. When we surrendered our sinful lives to Him, we left our sin and our previous life at the cross. He promised that He would wash us white as snow and take away our burdens. We could never be totally devoted and attentive to Him if we insist on trying to help God out by carrying those same sins and burdens around, that He promised to take control of. If we are concerned that the very hair on our limbs will slow us down in the water, can you imagine what impact the ongoing, surrendered, guilt of family arguments; divorce; murder; lying; stealing; etc. would have on our ability to witness to others, or to have a right relationship with our holy and righteous God? The Bible says that God will separate our sin from us as far as the east is from the west. Let’s allow God to be God, and stop trying to help Him do His job. Let’s learn to feast on His goodness; His forgiveness; and His unchanging love for us. Perhaps then we may feel ‘whiter than snow’; righteous; holy; and a ‘child of the King’. Perhaps then God can truly use us to do His work!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us enough to accept us just the way we were, and just the way we are. Thank You for dealing with the sin that we brought to the foot of the cross. Please help us to forgive ourselves, and accept Your offer of cleaning our slate of those very things that we sought Your forgiveness. I pray that we will never pick the weight of those sins back up again, so that we may be free to display the freedom in knowing You as Lord and Savior. Lord You are good and Your mercies endures forever! Blessed be the name of the 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. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

2016