Pastors, Workers and Servants Praise The Lord

On 2023-02-082023-02-08 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Church Leaders, Needs, Pastors, Praise, Recognize God, Servants of God, The Church, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2023-02-08
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 135:1-3
TRANSLATION: New International Version (NIV)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, you servants of the Lord, ²you who minister in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. ³Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.

APPLICATION: I have never served as ‘Pastor’ of a local church, but I have filled many servant positions in the local church, so I can speak to the ways that I have seen where this has worked well and also stories from friends where this was a challenge. Before reading on, perhaps stop and have an internal discussion between you and God as to why the Psalmist may have seen importance in this, and because God saw need in having it be a part of His instructions to every generation, why does He see it as important for us. Friends, I firmly believe that in order for me to properly address this, I will need to borrow the words from 2 Chronicles 7:14, because I believe this may be the heart of our God for His people:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Hopefully all church workers are ones who know God and call Him by name each and every day. But think carefully about this, dear ones, when thinking of ministry servants and leaders at your church. Hopefully this includes many in my readership. Remember, applying this personally, we should consider: If we know God personally; if we call Him by name; if we turn away from our wicked ways; if we seek His face, and we are not always after just His gifts to us; is there anything else that might prevent us from being on the same page as God and also hearing from Him? Think about the Sunday School teacher who stands in front of you on Sunday, and they have not done like the Psalmist said, or as was given to us in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Are they truly prepared to share from the depths of their heart relationship with God and the time spent in His Word that week? Could they sahre how we could truly incorporate such blessings into our lives in the following week? This is not picking on Sunday School teachers, because many churches are blessed with dedicated teachers who love the Lord and depend on Him each week in their obligation to fulfill their teaching role. But, just as the Psalmist shared, this example applies to all servants of the Most High God. If our pastors are not enjoying time together with the Lord and lifting up praise to Him in unison and in an effort to place the burden of their ‘sheep’ into the all-powerful hand of Almighty God, can we expect any better on Sunday morning when we show up and depend on them to help uplift our spirits and help us draw close to this God, that they themselves may not be close to? Few churches have choirs these days, but whether it’s a choir member, or a praise team member, if the spirit of our Holy God is not familiar in their hearts from a week of praising and drawing close to God, what is there that’s inside them to share with us on Sunday that would help draw us into worship? Pastors and teachers have an awesome responsibility to their members, and even as the Word says, it is not a position that one should desire. Instead, it must be one to which they are called to by God. In my almost 50 years of banking. If I spent most days doing everything else that was unassociated with my particular position, do you feel like I would have grown in my position? I feel like this is the same with our servants and leaders, and I feel that for all those who are not on the actual team, we have a deep responsibility to pray in earnest as we seek the face of Almighty God and beg His touch on our workers/servants/teachers/pastors of our churches. For what they have in them, from their week of experience and relationship with God, is what will be evident on Sunday morning when we get to church. Both the passage in Psalms today, and the one referenced in 2 Chronicles, apply to all of us. For although we may not have volunteered or been chosen as a named church leader, God chose us collectively in Matthew 28 when He commissioned us to go and tell the world about His saving grace and His love for all humanity. So, take from this today that we all should worship our Master every day, and never neglect humbling ourselves before God, praying, seeking His face, turning from our wicked ways, and watching for His mighty hand as He hears from Heaven and heals our land!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Blessed be the name of Lord! The more we praise Him, the more joy will bubble from our hearts as we join with others in corporate worship!

PRAYER: So often we give the excuse that we just don’t have time for more activity in our lives, but I thank You Lord for teaching me that the truth of this whole matter is really that we will not give You the priority in our lives that You deserve. It’s easier for us to tell others it’s a matter of time, and then later sit with You in prayer and meditation and apologize for not making You a priority. Forgive us Lord. In the closing sentence of my ‘APPLICATION’ I named a few things that I believe Your Word made clear to my readers, listeners and I today. This can only come about if we commit ourselves to You with all our heart, soul and mind, and if we humble ourselves, pray and turn from our wicked ways. Please grant us Your power to accomplish Your will for us this day, so that we in turn we may honest, sincere and solid believers who will demonstrate Jesus in every word and action. 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 might 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 subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. 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!

Good Servants Make Great Leaders

On 2022-07-192022-07-20 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Leadership, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Servants of God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-07-19
WRITTEN AT: O Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Mark 10:43-45
TRANSLATION: The Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁴³… among you it is different. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant. ⁴⁴And whoever wants to be greatest of all must be the slave of all. ⁴⁵For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served, but to help others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

APPLICATION: Although not spelled out by Jesus that this Scripture pertained only to church leadership, I believe it can definitely be applied to the church. But Jesus was approached by two of His faithful disciples who wanted to go straight to the top of the list in popularity by Jesus in His eternal kingdom. I would suggest that we try to apply this principle to our life in general, for everything Jesus taught, was intended to help His children be more like Him in every aspect of life. Although I believe that it is imperative for others to see servanthood as part of our DNA, I also believe that we should frequently perform a self-evaluation. The easiest way to know if you’re a servant, is by how you react when people treat you like one. All too often, I’m afraid, our heart is, “Yes, Lord, I want to be a servant – as long as people realize I’m serving. I want to be a slave – as long as I become Slave of the Year.” But friends, if you’re gladly slaving in the nursery, in the kitchen, or in a Sunday-school class without being noticed, appreciated, or thanked – then, perhaps, yours is the heart of a true servant. Think about this, do you suppose that the Lord wants us to be slaves because He likes to see us grovel? I don’t think so, it’s probably because He’s preparing us for the kingdom – for all eternity – and He knows that the best exercise for strengthening your heart is stooping down to pick up someone else. Your employer may not acknowledge you as a good potential leader when he sees you willing to do anything at absolutely any level in the workplace. But instead of fretting over present rewards, we should instead look forward to the time when we move into the kingdom, and the Lord says, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Father!” Imagine how our hearts will well up within us, for He’s the One we’ve been living and working for! His words are all that will matter to us when we enter the portals of heaven. At that point, I don’t believe any of us will regret the times we weren’t applauded by people for serving the Lord. Instead, we may say, “Thank You, Father, for sparing me from getting my reward on earth where it passes away so quickly.” Friends, when we apply the teachings of Jesus to our life, we will make great leaders here on earth, but hopefully it will be obvious to those we serve, whose we are. Leadership classes will not teach you this principle, but let me emphasize that for the child of God, our responsibility is to obey God first. When we honor God by obeying His teachings, He will make us the leaders He needs us to be!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Jesus showed us that servanthood matters, and that it won’t hurt us to also serve our fellow man. Jesus demands us to serve, so that we could reflect true leadership when the opportunity presents itself. Join me as we obediently follow this command of Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching us the importance of serving before attempting to lead others. Please work on those areas of our life that will impact our leadership in a way that pleases you. As in all other areas of our life, please help us to bless others so that You may be honored and magnified. AMEN!

No Small Thing To Serve The Living God

On 2022-03-292022-03-29 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Servants of God, Serve, Service, The Church, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-03-29
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Numbers 16:9
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁹Does it seem insignificant to you that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the community of Israel to be near him so you can serve in the Lord’s Tabernacle…

APPLICATION: There have been times where I have accepted positions of service in the local church because, from all indications, there just appeared to be no one else capable, or willing, to serve in that position. That might be hard for some to believe, especially those who might struggle to identify the struggles that small churches face. In the case of the early church, God had assigned a special class of people called the Levites to perform all duties related to the church. This may seem unreal to some, but considering the importance of the church, no doubt God wanted to make sure that it received particular attention because of the organization and diligence of designated men. This same thing occurs every time your church doors are opened. There are designated people who keep the building and grounds clean, and looking its very best. It can only be that way if these men and women feel the value placed on them as workers for the kingdom, and when they recognize His Sanctuary as the place where His children meet and worship the King of all kings. Additionally there are workers who ready the building for occupancy – lights, air conditioning, etc. Some workers will come to pray about the services and discipleship classes that will occur, while some will come to welcome and direct everyone to their classes or to the sanctuary. Please note that these are not positions designated in God’s Word, but they are probably in place as ordered by church leaders, and they serve the purpose of making it possible and inviting for worshippers to attend and meet with God. Whether you fill any of the aforementioned jobs, or if you teach, preach, or hold an administrative job, notice that God does not consider any efforts to promote His church as insignificant. Therefore, let me encourage you to complete your work as if your specific job helped to lead someone to a personal relationship with the Lord that day you served. I once had a pastor who practiced at each baptism, having everyone stand who had any impact on the candidate’s life. Think about that, you may only have invited them through the doors, but because of your warm smile or encouraging word, they kept coming back. You may have prayed for them, or taught them in Sunday School, but each and every thing done in the name of Jesus will be considered on that day when you meet your Master. I long to hear His welcome and his pat on the back as He tells me ‘well done good and faithful servant. You excelled in the little things I led you to do on earth, now enjoy your rewards and the greater things of heaven!’ Remember, anything you do in God’s service should be done for His honor and His glory alone, so never feel forced into doing something, but in whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: For the believer in Jesus Christ, do everything as unto the Lord. He will bless and direct your paths, for His name’s sake!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for opportunities to do Your work while here on earth. Please help us to never take on a task feeling like it was forced on us or because there was no one else who would do it. Lord, You sacrificed Your very life to facilitate the forgiveness of our sin. There is nothing too big, or too laborious for us as we seek to serve You and invite others into Your kingdom. Use each reader or listener for Your rich service here on earth. May the church be the church just as you designed it to be, and may You be glorified in everything we do. AMEN!

Mere Servants

On 2021-09-182021-09-17 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Children, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Servants of God, Worship2 Comments

DATE POSTED Saturday, 2021-09-18
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 17:9-10
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁹Does the servant expect to be thanked for doing what is required of him? ¹⁰So learn this lesson: After doing all that is commanded of you, simply say, ‘We are mere servants, undeserving of special praise, for we are just doing what is expected of us and fulfilling our duties.’

APPLICATION: Ever felt like a ‘flunky’? I haven’t heard this term in recent years, but I remember hearing this a lot as I grew up, and it was often used in lieu of the word ‘servant’, but in a more derogatory manner. I wonder if that might be the reason for most adults avoiding the term ‘servant’? But I found it interesting that Jesus chose to teach His disciples about servanthood as part of His response to the disciples request for more ‘faith’. Jesus Himself said that He came to serve, and so should His disciples, if we expect to live in His likeness. But the reason I believe that Jesus brought this into His teaching, is that anytime we don’t have the answer for something, or if we need to depend on others to make something happen that we are praying about, or if we don’t have a clue about how or if something is possible, then we must have faith in that person in whom we are depending on to accomplish the work. Because we can’t physically see Jesus, we must have faith to believe in Him and His unlimited abilities. As a servant, we are always dependent on the master to treat us right and meet our needs. Jesus wanted His disciples to get used to the idea of servanthood, for He would always be their Master. He taught that although we might be a servant here on earth, we are valued as sons and daughters in His kingdom. The opposite of servant is master, and in the kingdom of heaven there is only one Master – Jesus/God. By us being a servant, we acknowledge that the one Master is over all things. No matter how hard we work, or how many churches we’re in charge of, we are still servant to the Most High God. As a servant, we are often very needy of the master, and that’s exactly our position in the Kingdom, we are dependent on God for everything. So where are you at today? Are you truly displaying a servant’s heart and waiting for the Master to give you your next orders? Let’s try very hard not to try and change the order of who we are. We are children of the Almighty God and as such, we are His servants here on earth. Let’s try to excel in obedience, respect, honor and praise so that our Master might be lifted high above all His servants. We must always be just mere servants, undeserving of any praise, for we are just doing the Master’s work.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: In being servants of the Most High God, it becomes evident that we are His children doing His work until He returns to take us with Him to glory!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, thank You for being my Master and Lord. May I always seek to be servant, never desirous of any praise, but always seeking to honor You in all that I do. Please humble the hearts of my readers and listeners so that we all might understand Your way – as described in today’s Scripture. You said that the field is ripe for the harvest, but more servants are needed, not masters. We are all on the same playing field and equal at the foot of the cross. May we all learn to follow You while always praising You for who You are and for what You would have us do as Your servant. Lord, be glorified through Your servants, each of us. AMEN!

Seeing Your Potential

On 2021-07-292021-07-29 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Evangelize, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Servants of God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2021-07-29
WRITTEN AT: Hattiesburg, MS

SCRIPTURE FROM: Mark 1:16-20
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁶As Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were fishermen and were casting their nets into the lake. ¹⁷Jesus said to them, “Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish.” ¹⁸Right then the two brothers dropped their nets and went with him.
¹⁹Jesus walked on and soon saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat, mending their nets. ²⁰At once Jesus asked them to come with him. They left their father in the boat with the hired workers and went with him.

APPLICATION: I believe that many of us can reflect on our younger days and stand in amazement at the occupation we ended up doing as adults, compared to our initial thoughts about our career as a teenager! Perhaps you’re a Pastor today, but never saw yourself as anything greater than a farmer when you were being raised on a farm. Instead of being a store clerk, you may have wound up being a teacher. Having always wished for a job where you would handle money, you may have wound up being manager of a security business. Many other examples, but as you can clearly see, often we will wind up spending a career in doing something quite different to that which we dreamed about as a child. Way too often though, we will find someone doing a job, where they feel like they would never qualify for anything more challenging. But in our Scripture today we are reminded that Jesus never looked for seminary graduates, or Sundays School teachers or pastors to be His disciples. He chose very unlikely people. In our examples today, Jesus chose 4 fishermen for a life changing career in following Him. Were there some characteristics of a fisherman that might qualify them for ministry? Perhaps, but what I saw in this was that Jesus sees potential in us that no one else may ever dream as possible. Just imagine, we were created by the same God who formed this earth. He created land to form a habitat for mankind, then He created mankind to live there. Not Just Adam and Eve, but He also created all the necessary chemistry to create you and I. Do you suppose that our Creator ever made anything that He called ‘Junk’? I’d be willing to assure you that He did not. So when He went looking for assistants, or disciples, to teach His ministry to and prepare them for the work that would continue long after He left this earth, don’t you know that He was able to remove all filters and just choose men who stood to be blessed because they would faithfully serve Him? I remember serving on Pastor Search committees, and we had filters that filled pages and pages of our questionnaire used to make sure that a prospect would check all of the boxes. Friends, I learned over the years that if God had a search committee ask me to serve in a local church, I would never use the excuse that I was unqualified for that. Because of that, God has used me in fields where others may have smiled because of my efforts, but I believe that God smiled because He knew that it was through His power and His strength that I could even stand up there and try. Always remember that God created you with a purpose in mind for your life, because He knew your potential, and what He could accomplish through you. Please don’t be a stumbling block to His will and His purpose for your life.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: We are God’s children, created in His image, for His purpose. He sees great potential in us. Let go of your pride, fear and lack of confidence and let Him lead you to the full extent of your potential, with God at your very core.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, this is just one of Your precious jewels that You made in Your likeness for Your glory! You’ve placed me here on earth to specifically lift up Your name on high and glorify our Father in heaven. Your work is extensive, but fishermen did it, and so did tax collectors, so I have no reason to doubt that You can work miraculously through the lives of my readers/listeners and myself, so that the Good News can be shared with everyone that we touch or rub shoulders with. Use us as Your instrument to fulfill Your mission oh Lord. Many are still unsaved, so my friends and I are still in high demand. May we bow at Your feet and accept the challenge You have for us today. AMEN!

Too Much

On 2021-03-282021-03-28 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Effective Ministry, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Servants of God, Serve, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Sunday, 2021-03-28
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Exodus 18:14-18
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁴Jethro saw how much Moses had to do for the people, and he asked, “Why are you the only judge? Why do you let these people crowd around you from morning till evening?”
¹⁵Moses answered, “Because they come here to find out what God wants them to do. ¹⁶They bring their complaints to me, and I make decisions on the basis of God’s laws.”
¹⁷Jethro replied: That isn’t the best way to do it. ¹⁸You and the people who come to you will soon be worn out. The job is too much for one person; you can’t do it alone.

OBSERVATION: There are varying opinions about what a pastor’s job description should look like. As we meditate on the Scripture today, we’ll see where Moses filled a similar position as God’s leader, and how he had placed himself in quite a predicament as the fearless leader of the Israelites. Perhaps we could learn when, or how our pastor does ‘too much’.

APPLICATION: Some will pass judgment on a pastor and attribute his pastorate as a scapegoat for a hardworking manual labor job. Some will insist that the pastor do all the work of ministry around the church, since he is being paid for that. Others who know the hours labored by a pastor will wonder how they ever save their marriage, or spend any quality time with their children. Moses was ordered by God to do some important things that way exceeded the ability of any man. For example: go before the king and demand release of the Israelites; follow the instructions of God through various actions with his shepherd’s staff; provide food and water for over a million people – out in the desert; find a way of escape for the people when there was water ahead and an oncoming army approaching from the rear; deal with all the attitudes, grumbling and complaining from such a large following; etc. So of course, Moses found a very real need to be judge and jury for the people when disagreements arose. This in itself was enough for many judges, but Moses felt a responsibility to God and his countrymen to fill the gap of being a spokesman for God to satisfy all disagreements. As an innocent outsider, Jethro quickly saw that his son-in-law was headed for disaster in being overworked and under constant demand by his people. It was unfair to the people, and was way too much on Moses as a lone judge. Friends, in my Observation I used our pastors as an example, but I believe there is more of this in us individually than we might care to acknowledge, for we could each be accused at times for trying to do it all. I have spent time in leadership of a smaller church, where pastors only stayed there for a limited number of years. Had the leadership of lay persons not been trained in ministry and willing to jump in and share in the ministry of God in that church, one could easily see where many parishioners would have gone unattended to. I believe that God is showing us through this example of Jethro helping Moses, that it is vitally important to not do ministry, or the work of God alone. Share the blessings with others by letting them serve alongside you, for we must always remember that we are about God’s work, and He always provides workers for His ministry. Sure it’s important that we are willing to do the work, and sure it is important that we are always busy about God’s work, but I believe that we should never do any of this exclusive of other workers who are ready and willing to serve. Yes, I believe that God wants you in His Service, but I also believe that He wants you to bring along as many as you can to help you accomplish the ministry fully and effectively.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, there’s a lot to be done in Your vineyard here on earth, and it often seems like there are never enough workers to accomplish the work. Please help us to assume the job of Jethro, when needed, for it seems like many tend to be lone rangers who feel like Your ministry will collapse without them. Please teach them to share the joy of helping others along in leadership, so that they won’t simply encounter a lost person and only invite them to church. Often if we fail to share Your story with a lost person, they may expire before ever making it to ‘church’ to hear the good news. Teach us Lord to listen closely to Your voice and to be ready and willing to serve, so that our pastors and other leaders would see growth in leaders who always help them to reach the lost and minister to the saints. It’s Your ministry Lord Jesus, and as saints of God, we are all workers in Your vineyard, until Jesus comes again to take His church home to heaven. AMEN!

To Be First; Great and Supreme

On 2021-03-112021-03-11 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Servants of God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2021-03-11
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 20:25-28
TRANSLATION: Good News Translation (GNT)

BIBLE TEXT: ²⁵So Jesus called them all together and said, “You know that the rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority. ²⁶This, however, is not the way it shall be among you. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest; ²⁷and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of the others— ²⁸like the Son of Man, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.”

OBSERVATION: I wonder if national leaders have servants who teach their children what it means to be the son/daughter of the greatest person in that nation? Or the first one that their people will think of as their leader? Or the supreme leader in not just their country, but a strong world leader? Do you do something like this with your children? In our Scripture today Jesus teaches how His children attain greatness; top level leadership; and supreme in our personal achievements. Meditate with me as we mull this over and apply it to our lives.

APPLICATION: Having served in church leadership roles, I had to apply this Scripture to my own life as I read the words of Jesus this morning. More importantly, as followers of Christ, I believe that Jesus wants us to apply His Word to our lives each and every time that we study the Bible, or hear it taught/preached. This Scripture was provoked because of a visit from the mother of James and John (two of the disciples), who asked Jesus to promote her sons to top ranks in His kingdom. The ten remaining disciples became angry, out of jealousy about this request. So Jesus knew this was an issue He had to deal with for the disciples, and for all those who would follow. It is so disconcerting that in this world, we tend to feel superior when we take charge. But look again at what Jesus taught – why would we feel superior, when we should follow His example and be a servant to those over whom we have assumed charge? Imagine walking into a banquet as a leader. You would assume that the head table is set for you and that you are to be seated and served first. But Jesus said that as a slave to the people, we should be serving them without expecting any recognition from them. Over the past year we heard the president of the USA being referred to as the leader of the ‘Free World’. That may be as close to anything we might call ‘supreme’ here on earth, but Jesus meant it in a whole new realm of thinking. You see, He was the son of the Most High God, yet instead of promoting that, He instead sacrificed His own life for the benefit of all who would believe on Him for eternal life. So I believe the question for us to ponder today about our position in life is: how sincere are we in our relationship with the King of all kings? Is He first in our lives? Is it evident to others who we belong to, based on our servanthood? In knowing everything about us, is it evident to God that we are following in the steps of Jesus and His ministry, His servant attitude, and His love for all those that He served?

PRAYER: Lord, I can’t say that I ever thought about being superior in any way while serving in leadership roles, for it was often a heavy load to carry. But this Scripture today has invoked a sense of urgency and commitment to concentrate on serving, way more than any possible benefit from leadership roles. My desire is to be just like You in all that I do or say, so I plead with You to direct me each and every day to achieve that desire and to walk the walk and talk the talk, as You would have Your followers to do. I also plead with You to impact the lives of my readers, oh that they too might seek Jesus above everything else in this world, and may we all glorify You name on earth, as it is in heaven. 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!

Making One Another Stronger

On 2020-07-25 By Ed AlgreenIn Encourage, Servants of God, Serve, Service, StrengthLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2020-07-25
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

Bible Reference: Ephesians 4:11–13
Translation: Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)

Bible Text: ^{11 …..}Christ gave these gifts to people: He made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to care for and teach God’s people. ¹²Christ gave these gifts to prepare God’s holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger. ¹³This work must continue until we are all joined together in what we believe and in what we know about the Son of God. Our goal is to become like a full-grown man—to look just like Christ and have all his perfection.

OBSERVATION: While many of us wish that we could help others more than we feel like we have the ability, or capacity to, I believe that we are challenged with ideas on ways to accomplish this feat. Look again at verse 12 above. God gave each of His children important gifts – but notice that they are given so that we may serve others in order to make the body of Christ stronger. To help one another achieve their best in God. Wow!

APPLICATION: Wow, how often do we receive a gift, told how to use it, and then rewarded for using it? I believe the part that really touches me, is that God would trust me enough to bless me with a gift from His precious hand. I believe it is awesome that God would then direct me to use that gift to enrich the life of one that I might come into contact with! Ever thought of the fact that God is constantly looking for ways to touch His children and make us stronger in the faith? Ever thought about the fact that when we accepted Jesus as Lord of our lives, we committed ourselves to be more like Him every day, and live to mirror His ways and His character before a lost world? So would it be impossible to think for a moment that God could actually prepare us to be a ‘holy people’ who will serve others for the benefit of making the church stronger? Friends, we might tend to think that we are nobodies and that we don’t count in God’s big scheme of saving the world, but did you also consider that the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents! Friends, we will find that a sinner repents after receiving convicting evidence that Jesus is alive and that He loves and cares for all who will call on His name in repentance. Often that conviction will come through you and I, as friends of the individual, or even as an acquaintance. God can and will use all means possible to reach the hearts of His lost children. I truly believe that you and I are a vital part of that team, fellow Christian! So when we read the Word and read the exciting news that God will strengthen and embolden us to serve His church and make it stronger, please don’t brush that aside as being the responsibility of the pastor, or the elder or deacon. Take it personally, as He can and will use all of us who are trying to be just like Him in every way to actively work in His service and strengthen the lost who are searching for the Savior of the world.

PRAYER: Lord I believe in You, so I take my role seriously that You could use even me to serve Your church and make it stronger. Lord, I can only imagine the awesome work that a ‘STRONG’ church can do in it’s community, and the impact it could have on the lost, who need a Savior. Please help us to take our role seriously. It may be as simple as sharing Your love with those who feel unlovable, or it may be as challenging as preaching or teaching Your Word, so that the world will know about You. Our abilities mean very little, but our availability to be used by the King of kings is the ultimate soul winner and encourager. May You be glorified in all that You accomplish through us, and may Your kingdom be enriched from every possible thing accomplished through us. AMEN!

Government Leaders = God’s Servants – Obey Them

On 2020-04-15 By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Disciple, Faith, Follow Jesus, Fruit of the Spirit, God Reigns, Holy Spirit, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Obedient, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ, Servants of God, TrustLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2020-04-15
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

Bible Reference: Romans 13:1-2; 4
Translation: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Bible Text: All of you must obey the government rulers. Everyone who rules was given the power to rule by God. And all those who rule now were given that power by God. ²So anyone who is against the government is really against something God has commanded. Those who are against the government bring punishment on themselves…. ⁴Rulers are God’s servants to help you. But if you do wrong, you have reason to be afraid. They have the power to punish, and they will use it. They are God’s servants to punish those who do wrong.

OBSERVATION: As we read through God’s Word, there will be times where we will come across passages where God speaks to our heart, but its a subject that is so sensitive that we would rather not teach or preach about it. Over the years I have found that I must be obedient to God first and foremost. So if God speaks to me through His Word, then I feel compelled to share it with you, from a heart that was blessed by God. We don’t always like what the Bible is teaching us, but for the child of God, we know that it’s something that God finds worthy of impressing upon our hearts and minds for our own good. Meditate with me on this whole chapter and see what God impresses upon you, won’t you?

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

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

What to Expect From The Greatest One Among You

On 2019-03-15 By Ed AlgreenIn Faith, Rewards, Servants of God, Serve, TrustLeave a comment

Friday, 2019-03-15

Bible Reference: Matthew 23:8-11
Translation: Good News Translation (GNT)

Bible Text: ⁸You must not be called ‘Teacher,’ because you are all equal and have only one Teacher. ⁹And you must not call anyone here on earth ‘Father,’ because you have only the one Father in heaven. ¹⁰Nor should you be called ‘Leader,’ because your one and only leader is the Messiah.¹¹The greatest one among you must be your servant.

OBSERVATION: These verses really impacted me. Because in our ‘dog-eat-dog’ world, where everyone is greedy after the position just above them, so that they could earn more money, and be looked up to. Imagine how we would feel if the further up we went, the more servanthood was expected of us? That doesn’t even sound right in our world today, and in the work atmosphere in which we find ourselves, right? Then let’s dig into the Word by meditating on this for a while today.

APPLICATION: A new hire will most often start out in the lowest position of an organization, so that they might learn that position and hopefully everything else above that position, as they progress along in their employment. Imagine if, at the beginning of year three, they were told by their employer that they want them to take on more servanthood, along with added responsibility in the organization. Do you suppose they would be just a little confused? I believe in our employment world today, that individuals feel honored to move up, because finally they could have others do all the piddly jobs for them, to help them look good and move up even more. In some environments, supervisors are encouraged to not mix with their employees, because they would lose their respect. But what about the child of God that studies the practices of Jesus, God’s Son, and tries to follow the concepts taught in His Word? Is it not unimaginable to think of a ‘leader’, or a ‘manager’ to lift up their workers and praise them for helping the department achieve their goals? Wouldn’t that leader or manager feel less than adequate before their boss? What about in the church? I hope that you are not seeing your pastors, or elders, or deacons, or teachers, placing themselves on such pedestals that they wait to be served by others. For if we are truly to imitate our Lord and Savior, we would see our main ‘servants’ scrubbing the floor, washing the feet of others, serving food to the hungry and showing the love of Jesus to all they come into contact with. Jesus encouraged us to not even assume titles by which He or His Father were known, for we would never want others to assume for a moment that we are to be looked up to as another ‘Jesus’. For there is none like Him, and we are never to try and assume His place among those with whom we worship, work or mix with. Friends, we are on this earth to promote Jesus, not to be His equal, because we would never succeed in that. While we should strive to imitate His goodness as a sign of obeying His teachings, we must be careful to pass all praises on to Him. For it’s Jesus that we live for; It’s Jesus that we represent; It’s Jesus who loved us enough that He died on a cruel cross to save us eternally; and it’s Jesus who is coming back to gather His chosen ones to accompany Him in glory before the Father. Friends, we are servants of a great BIG God! Let’s remember our role, and His, each day of our lives, and seek to follow His instructions regarding our servant role while here on earth.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Greater than all others, yet You demonstrated servanthood while here on earth, and because You want us to live our life as an example of Yours, I believe that You are commanding that we also be servants to those around us, including those that we may have supervisory charge. In humility You came to this world, in humility You lived, and in humility You were crucified. Therefore to imitate You, we must also be humble. Please continue to work on us, mold us and direct us, so that others will recognize You and want to know You as Lord. AMEN!

Nuggets From God's Word

Category: Servants of God