Category: Seek God’s Face

God: “I’ll Be There Ready For You”

On By Ed AlgreenIn Humbleness, Humility, Power of Prayer, Prayer, Seek God's FaceLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2016-11-09

Scripture

Bible Reference: 2 Chronicles 7:13–14

Bible Text: If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health.

Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take

I believe that these verses are probably some of the best known, and most quoted verses in the old testament, because we like to remind ourselves that God is always ready to hear our prayer, if only we will get off our high horses and allow Him to do that. I looked at the context of these verses in several different translations of the Bible to see if perhaps God is trying to catch my attention in some other way from these verses. Using Eugene Peterson’s ‘Message’ Bible, here’s what I believe God is saying to me today, and in sharing this with you, hopefully it may open your eyes also. Notice how God leads into this with Solomon. In the preceding verses God acknowledged the awesome temple that Solomon had built, and God assured Solomon that He would dwell there for the people. However, God then told Solomon that there still may be times that He may allow frustrations, trials and challenges for the people as He may have the need to draw them closer to Himself. Isn’t it interesting how we are so quick to run to the temple (our local churches) and really petition before God for all that is going on in our lives, or in the works of our cities/counties, or even in our country? I would imaging that in the USA, over recent months, there have probably been more prayers for the outcome of our elections than for any other reason that we may have prayed over recent years. However, notice that God didn’t tell Solomon to have the people pray for Him to restore their crops, or cleanse them from the plagues He threatened to send on them, but rather, God wanted the people to do these things:

  • Humble themselves – get off the subject of self and recognize who’s in charge;
  • Pray – Instead of bending the knee and pleading before God when we need our aches and pains relieved, pray instead for forgiveness of our sin, and a heart like that of Jesus – the one whom Christians should be seeking to imitate every day;
  • Seek God’s presence – So often we are so intent on praying for the need at hand, that we lose sight of the broken or fractured connection between God and ourselves. Friends, there is nothing more comforting or more powerful, than seeking God’s face and His awesome presence in our own lives. Further, in these verses God assured Solomon that as His people did this, they will be reassured of His presence, as “He will be there, ready for them”!
  • Turn from their sins – you might question what this has to do with what is going on at the time (lost crops, etc). Friends, I believe that God sends challenges our way, because many times it is the only way that He could get our personal attention. Renewing our relationship with God is far more important to God than restoring our crops.

God said that as His people did these things, they can be reassured that “He would be there for them”! However, notice the kicker, He didn’t say that He would then restore rainfall, or their crops; nor did He say that He would heal them of the effects from any plagues He sent on them. Instead God told Solomon that He would listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health! I believe that we can easily conclude from these verses that God is more interested in a right, personal relationship with His children, than anything else. Imagine what would happen if our people prayed as hard for revival, or renewal of a right relationship with God as we do for every other little thing, that really adds no value to our relationship with the Almighty. Restoring a right relationship with our God, so that we may be mold-able and usable by God WILL bring new life to our wretched, sinful world. It must begin with us – God’s people, as those without that connection will not have a clue what God is trying to achieve, nor would they ever think to look to God, who is totally unknown to them. If it’s to be, it’s up to you and I, fellow Christians!

Prayer

Father God, thank You for providing us with life itself. Lord Jesus, thank You for providing the means of salvation – forgiveness of our sin and oneness with You and the Father. Holy Spirit, thank You for Your powerful presence and work in our lives daily. As long as we live on this earth, we will be tempted by the ruler of this world with every effort to distract us in our Christian commitment to our Lord. In Psalm 1 and in Matthew 6:33 we are reminded that as we, Your holy children, humble ourselves and seek Your face that we also may receive righteousness that can only come for You dear Lord. Help us to be faithful in all we do so that Your name may be lifted high and maintain its elevated status for all to see, and subsequently believe on You. Please renew a right spirit within us Heavenly Father, so that others will see Jesus and believe. 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!

The Only Way Out

On By Ed AlgreenIn Faith, Salvation, Seek God First, Seek God's FaceLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2016-09-14

Scripture

Bible Reference: Galatians 3:21-22

Bible Text:  …. If we could be saved by his laws, then God would not have had to give us a different way to get out of the grip of sin—for the Scriptures insist we are all its prisoners. The only way out is through faith in Jesus Christ; the way of escape is open to all who believe him.

Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take

I believe that often we will try the easiest way out. The way that is least embarrassing to us, or least obvious to others that we have or had a problem and really needed help. So for many, this may be through trying to obey the Word of God on our own. I once had a coworker tell me that he knew the good Lord would not allow his dad to go to Hell, because he was such a good man, and that no one could really point a finger at him for his wrong. This coworker later came to know the Lord himself and then understood exactly what Paul was clarifying here for the Galatian church. Friends, we must remember that God saw that the human race was incapable of helping ourselves by simply obeying His law, so out of His deep love for us, He miraculously sent His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. Too often we look at the law like, what’s the least I can do to keep out of trouble with the law makers, and seldom do we stop and ask God to help us obey every letter of the law in the way it was intended when written, so that others may recognize the sincerity of Jesus in us. So friends, this scripture today is good news for those who have heard the voice and direction of God, and want to surrender your life to Him so that He may direct your path and lead you in a righteous and upright life for His glory. Getting from where you are – steeped in sin and unrighteousness, can only be accomplished one way. ‘There is only one way out’, the scripture proclaims, and that is through seeking the face and person of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Surrender your life totally and completely to Him, so that He can accomplish His miraculous work through You. Friends, Hell is not a place where you would make it a point to go, but the ONLY way you will redirect your destination is by doing what I have already described to you  believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. When you truly believe on Jesus, you will submit to His will and obey His commands – indicating that He is in total control of your life. One other tip friends: Jesus has promised to return to earth to take His children (His bride) up to glory to be with He and His Father. But the timing of this event is unknown even to Jesus. Therefore, may I encourage you to make certain of your eternal destination urgently, for Jesus’ return could happen even today!

Prayer

Thank You Heavenly Father for yet another reminder of what must be done to gain eternal life. Our works are but filthy rags in Your sight, because we build those around our goodness instead of Yours. Please forgive us Lord for our littleness and open our eyes instead to Your wonderful, loving, caring, miraculous provisions that You have designed for us. Please help us to step aside and allow You to be God in our life, and in the lives of our family and friends. Lord, please touch lives today with the gospel and show Your love in such wonderful ways that many will come to accept You and surrender their lives wholeheartedly to You. There is so much to be done Father, but I am convinced of Your awesome power and desire to see our lost ones saved. Please work through me today so that I may be a genuine witness for You. I ask these things in faith, and for Your glory, 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!

What Should We Do?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Know God's Heart, Obedience, Seek God First, Seek God's Face, Seeking GodLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Find out first-hand what God would have you do today! This will be important as you seek to do His will. May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for your blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: Luke 3:10–14
Today’s Bible Text: 10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?”
11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”
12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”
14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.
John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: In so many areas of our lives we ask the same question as was asked of John the Baptist. As a child when we are tired of whippings and ready to do things mom way, we might ask her to just remind, or show us again what we could do to please her. As adults, we might ask our spouse to remind us of what we could do to please them or stay in their good graces. In our jobs we want to know what we could do to move up the corporate ladder, or earn more money. I believe that each time we attend church, we are looking for opportunities to worship and praise God for His goodness, but also to seek His face for our next assignment, or just instructions for righteous living that would please Him. Daily as we open the Word of God (and I pray that it is daily for you friend), we are looking for more encouragement and blessings from God, and looking for our next set of instructions from the Holy Spirit on what we must do to be more reflective of our Savior to those that we will come into contact with that day. We are simply asking like the different groups of people asked John, “What Shall We Do?”. A few verses down in this same chapter, John went on to explain how the Lord will soon return and how He will separate the chaff from the wheat – in other words, there will come a day of accountability, where the Master will recognize those who have obediently followed His instructions found in the Word of God from those who claimed the name but, continued to do the same old same old, and those who wanted nothing to do with their Creator or His precious Son, Jesus Christ. In knowing the Son of God, we have an obligation to obey Him, otherwise we never prove to Him or the world that we are a true son or daughter of the King. What then shall we do? Won’t you go before the Master and ask that question today, friend? John gave some basic answers that I’ve shared with you, but if you know Jesus personally, you have every right to approach Him and ask for your personalized instructions on what He would have you do. Let me encourage you to form that type of intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father, friend.

Prayer: Father, I want to thank You for showing me day after day that Your Word is active and very much alive, for You speak directly to me personally when I read its pages. Please help me to obediently follow Your instructions as a light unto my path of life. I have no doubt that my readers face the same dilemma each day as they seek Your face. Please revive Your army with Your almighty instructions – fresh new life that will not only revive us, but incent us to encourage others towards a more meaningful life and may we bless others as we meet them today. ‘As We seek Your face, may we know Your Heart’ is our hearts’ song today Lord Jesus. Please bless Your children accordingly, and we will be eternally grateful. 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

Freed To Receive From God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Forgiveness, Humbleness, Seek God's FaceLeave 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: 1 John 3:20–22
Today’s Bible Text: God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him.
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: Often Satan will bind us so tightly to our sin, that we feel that it is impossible for God to look at us through a lens of holiness and forgiveness, even when we seek His face and plead before His throne for His forgiveness. Friends, these verses that we are looking at today assures us that when we truly surrender our sin to God, accept His forgiveness and personally forgive ourselves for having allowed Satan to control our lives, that it is then that God takes charge of our lives and ask us to step aside from our weaknesses and our sin, and allow Him to be God – our God; our Deliverer; our Savior; our Master and our King. I believe that often our challenge is attributed to the fact that we might allow outside pressures to control our mouths and our actions. Parents are famous for trying to get their kids saved, and that is admirable, but we don’t just want our kids to say the words, or do something just to please us. As in any personal relationship, it must be a personal decision, a personal experience and a personal commitment. Let’s remember, it is God who draws man to Himself, not mom or dad or anyone else that pushes us towards God. Another aspect of life, is that we tend to be harder on ourselves than anyone else that we know of. That’s why many procrastinate in their decision to follow God, because they feel like there is so much that they must personally clear up first, before God would ever accept them. Friends, if we were able to overcome our sin personally, there would be no need for a Savior, and we would have done it a long time ago. Only God can forgive us of our sin, and only He can strengthen us, and help us to overcome our sinful actions/habits. Let’s work at the unfortunate habit of beating up on ourselves and, instead seek God’s face and accept His precious love for us. Only then, through His power and His grace, we will have the power to overcome our sinful actions and receive what we ask of Him, because we are doing what He said and what pleases Him.

Prayer: Father, it is very easy for us to disqualify ourselves from approaching Your throne, because we know deep inside how awful we have been. Please open the eyes of those that still feel like they must clear up certain sinful actions before they personally seek Your face. Please open our eyes to our inability to do anything about our sin, without a righteous and all-powerful God. It’s You that we need first, oh Lord, then all these things that seem impossible to us, will become very possible in and through your grace. Thank You Lord for Your love, Your grace, Your power, and Your forgiveness. It’s only because of this that I am a confirmed child of the Kind, who still needs you every hour of every day. Please open the blind eyes of my family and friends who still need Your precious love and forgiveness in their lives. Please touch the lives of those that will read this devotional today, for like me, they need Your awesome power also. I ask these things in faith and in the confidence of the Savior of this world, Jesus, my Savior and 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

Think About All God Has Done

On By Ed AlgreenIn Obedience, Prayer, Seek God's Face2 Comments

THE HOLY BIBLE – Psalm 77:11-12 (NLT) –  But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.  They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.  

THOUGHTS: In the verses leading up to verse 11, we read about all the questions David had for God. You know, much like the questions we have when we think that God is doing ‘His own thing’ and seems uninterested in what we are telling Him to do?  Oh you say that you would never do that? Friends I want to challenge you to think about how often we unconsciously do this every day. We ask God to clarify a decision we have already made for ourselves, and when God responds differently to what we expected, or demanded, we immediately think that God’s not there, or doesn’t care about you. Let’s not forget that for every yes/no question we ask, there is that choice in responding! Let me explain, way too often we go before God with a question, and because we have our minds made up with what the response must be, we tend to think that God didn’t hear us, or chose not to respond to our demands. Over time, I believe that we will realize that the greatest love that can be shown to us is for God to say ‘no’ when He knows full well that it is the best decision for our situation. I believe there are also times that we just can’t muster up the faith to ask God for help with our situations. David showed us that these are the times that we stop and reflect on the mercies of God and the proven power of God in our very own lives, so that we might gain strength in our weakness, and faith in our time of doubt and unbelief. Friends, we serve a GREAT BIG God, and until we stop to reflect on His awesomeness and our ‘littleness’ then we might be missing a lot of blessings. Please take time to reflect and praise God for His awesome power, then proceed in the confidence that swells up in you to place your needs (small and great) before the God of this universe! He’s my God, and I know that I can trust Him! I would challenge you to draw close to God so that He can show His power, grace and mercy as He draws close to you!

PRAYER: thank You Father for being my Creator, my Redeemer, my Savior and my King! I know that there is nothing unreadable or impossible for You. Thank You for hearing my heart’s cry when I call out to You. Please touch the heart of each person reading this devotional and cause us to draw closer to You in every aspect of our lives, so that our faith may increase and relationship with You become strong enough that we will trust You with every part of our life, and not just the portion that we feel inadequate in handling.  Thank You Father for handling life today – our lives with all of the complexities that we have added to them. In the name of Jesus, I ask these things oh 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 http://www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely 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!

Is God Angry With You?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Humility, Prayer, Seek God's Face2 Comments

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: 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 8
Today’s Bible Text: I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
The Bible Translation: The New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: It wasn’t until I got over in to my Old Testament reading in Psalm 74 where God was being asked why was He so angry, that my eyes were opened to these verses that I had just read. You see, in verse 4 above Paul tells us that if we pray as we should, then God will be pleased. I am one that tends to take a verse like that and say, OK but what if we don’t pray like we should? The answer to that question was answered by the Psalmist when he realized that God was angry with His people. Friends, I believe that God is showing us in His Word today how important it is that we follow through in obedience to Him, His teachings and His commands. There are two main aspects to the prayer items that Paul taught Timothy as very important considerations when he ministered, and I believe these things are no less important today. Here they are:

  1. Pray for all people – Start with yourself, then your family, your friends, your coworkers, your fellow church members, your enemies and then everyone else. Pray specifically that:
    1. God will help them – live righteous and noble lives;
    2. God will grant the desires of His heart, and your wish for them – intercede for them. Pray for what you know to be the desire of their heart;
    3. Give thanks for them – yes, even your enemies! We are told to pile heaps of coal, or goodness, or love, or best wishes on them. God created them, and He looks on them just as He does on you!
  2. Pray for your king, or your president, or your prime minister, or your queen – your national government head, and for all others in authority. – The Word encourages us to pray for them as we would pray for those in our first group.

In complying with the above, the Word says these are important so that we will live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity, as this pleases our God. Friends, may I encourage you to check your ‘happiness meter’ and determine if you are being faithful to what God demands of you? If you feel like God is not happy with what is going on, then I would encourage you to go back to step one above and follow through on the expectations of God. I found it interesting that these verses in 1 Timothy was labeled as ‘Instructions to Worship’! That tells me that we must breakthrough in prayer before we could get anything out of singing our praises or learning from God’s Word. I believe that it behooves us to ‘clear the air’ in our relationship with God and others before approaching our holy God. Then perhaps we will hear from God, and He will heal us, and our land!

Prayer: Father, Your Word is powerful and it impacts our lives every time we open its pages and read to understand Your desire for us. Please forgive us for constantly trying to do our own thing in ways that we think best. Without Your touch on our lives we are so unworthy, and we minimize ourselves to praying selfishly. You have made it clear today that unless we pray right, we will not gain Your peace, godliness and dignity. I can’t imagine what value we will be to anyone, without Your precious hand upon us oh Lord. We need You more today than ever before, because I believe that there are more distractions today than ever before. One thing that remains – Your constant love, and Your desire to see us be more like You in every aspect of our lives. Please continue to draw us to You so that we may be used by You to win the lost in our realm of influence. I ask all this in total respect of You oh God, and in the name of Your awesome Son, Jesus, 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