Category: Testify

Bless Me Lord

On By Ed AlgreenIn Testify, TestimonyLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)

TEXT:   10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

OBSERVATION:   Jabez was named because of the great pain that his mom encountered in childbirth, and while I’m sure that he probably prayed diligently for his mom, church leaders and all of those causing evil in his land, yet his prayer for his personal desires has become one that many preachers choose to use in their sermons, and it is referred to by many Christians. So I believe that God deliberately directed me to this prayer as I read this, and He caused such a tug on my heart to share it in Nuggets today.

APPLICATION:  For most of us, we hear about so much going on in our nation, in our state, and also in our own little county, each and every time that we listen to the evening news, that we sometimes wonder where would we ever find enough time to pray about it all. Oh, and don’t forget about the medical condition of our blood and church families. But I don’t believe that Jabez had it any different in his day, yet God wanted us to know that Jabez made it a point to pray for his own welfare as well. Friends, I realize that when we pray for our family, friends and co-laborers in the work of the Lord, we place them in good hands and rest our faith in him to rescue them from whatever ills that they are concerned about. However, don’t you often wish that you could help them, or at least wish that you don’t become quite as burdened as they are? Don’t you wish that you could shine so brightly that nonbelievers will see the light of Jesus in you and ask about what’s so different in your life? I’m not one of those who believe that Christians will always be the healthiest and wealthiest of all people, but I do believe in the almighty power of God and that He could do more than we could imagine or ask for, even in our meek and humble lives. I believe that often we have not, because we ask not. The last words in verse 10, says that God granted his (Jabez’) request! I wonder what the last words might be on our epitaph? If you were to choose one of your own, what might your words be, based on your first-hand knowledge of yourself? May I challenge you to pray for God’s hand on your life in a very bold way, so that you may be His hand extended here on this earth? Ask Him to bless you so that you may bless others. Imagine you being able to brag on God and visibly show God’s rich blessing on you, instead of the usual whining and complaining that we hear from so many Christians. Wouldn’t that be a welcomed change to those looking at your life and following in your footsteps?

PRAYER:   Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me through a broken world in a glorious body, so that others may see your hand at work in and through me. Please help me to always keep my eyes fixed on You and always subordinate to Your perfect will and desire for my life. I realize that there are many folk out there just like me, for we are needy before our all-powerful, gracious Lord. Please begin a good work in me, and show me how to share that with others in a way that you will receive ultimate glory. People need the Lord, and the workers are few. Please use me as needed to impact my home, my church, my workplace, my family and my friends for You Lord. Be glorified today oh Lord because of Your willing sons and daughters. 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!

 

Your Wish For The Church

On By Ed AlgreenIn Church, Testify, TestimonyLeave 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!………

The Bible Reference: 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

The Bible Text: And that’s about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace……… The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: I generally provide, what I believe to be, provocative thoughts for you from my Bible studies, hoping that as God had touched my heart while in His Word, my sharing might provoke you to search the heart of God for what He would say to you through the scriptures. Meditating on the closing wishes of Paul, in the highlighted verses, for his friends at Corinth, led me to think about something that may sound a little morbid to some, and it may sound like homework to some. However, Paul shared with his readers what was on his heart for them, especially now that he was closing his current communication with them. I want to encourage you to take a moment and write your responses to the following ideas, and if you’re really feeling bold, share these with your pastor. I believe it would be neat for your pastor to read these words at a service that celebrates your life on earth and your departing wishes for your fellow family and church members:

  • My life has been enriched by ________ (hopefully God) in the following ways: ____________________
  • Friends, I believe that for you to grow closer to God and to each other, you should: _________________________
  • Please do away with: _______________________________ and
  • Allow God to: _________________________________
  • I have prayed for you in these ways: _________________________ and,
  • Wish: ______________________ for you, until we meet again on the other side, God being your helper!

Try copying this into a word processor and completing the blanks, friends. What a testimony this would present of your time on earth and your heart-challenge for those you may leave behind!

Prayer: Lord God, You created us for a purpose, and You have placed us here on this earth with a purpose in mind. May we seek You and accept You as our Creator, and as our Savior and Lord, then may we seek to worship, love, adore and obey You all of our days here on earth. May our God-following lives impact others that we come into contact with, because of the clear evidence of whom we belong to, and from whom our speech and actions derive. It’s all about You Lord! It’s You that we strive to live for and strive to live with after our life is finished here on plant earth. Please mold our lives so that we may be usable by You to impact those who You are reaching out to from the inside out. With much love and affection I glorify You and seek Your face today and everyday oh Lord. Please impact the lives of all who will read this devotional today, so that You may impact the world through us. I ask these things in the strong and wonderful name of Jesus, My Lord and soon coming King, 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

Blow A Trumpet For God!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Chosen by God, Christian, Faith, God Cares For Us, Heaven, Our Help comes from God, Praise, Stregth, Surrender, Testify, Thank You Jesus, Trust, WorshipLeave a comment

The Bible – The Message

1 Corinthians 1:27–31

Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.”

Thoughts:

God is nothing less than amazing! Do I hear an AMEN?!! Just when we are about to throw in the towel, or just when we think we are only a speck of dust in God’s overall kingdom, our eyes are opened with scripture like this that reminds us that we are royalty – children of the King of kings. We are also reminded that as in the case of an earthly king where the country men are subjects of the king, we too are subjects or servants of our King. Also, as in the case of a country being recognized for its valor and earthly production where the king is primarily recognized because of his leadership and his provisions that made the country what it is, so it is with our heavenly King. For it is only through the provision of the King’s Son, Jesus, that we are saved from our sin and accepted into His glorious kingdom where we will reign with Him forever. It is only through the power of this Jesus, that blind men regained their sight, the crippled began to walk again and the dead was brought back to life again. It is only through our faith in Jesus, that we are blessed with miracles even today. But friends, all these blessings come with somewhat of a warning, for we are told that although we may be the servant praying for the sick to be healed, or praying for an unsaved loved one, we can boast of no personal accomplishment in any turnaround seen in any of these cases, for we are only the beggar, the servant, asking for a favor from God Almighty. God is the healer, He sacrificed so that salvation might be available to us, our family and our friends. So as we see God’s hand at work, let’s intensify the praise and worship to our Lord, for it is He who is responsible for the miracles wrought! To Him be all glory and praise! Lift Him up before the people around You so that they too might be introduced to our Savior and Lord! Why not use your weekly worship services to especially praise the Father for His goodness? He is worthy, and deserves a lot more praise than what He hears in our labeled, ‘praise and worship’ services!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, who am I that You would send Your Son to die sacrificially so that I might easily find my way to You? Who am I that You would heal my body, or bless me with a job, a family, and a comfortable place to live? Lord, I realize that I will never understand the sincerity and depth of Your love, but thank You for opening my eyes, and reminding me of my obligation to offer constant praise and worship to You for all that You do for me. You are all powerful, but thankfully You are all loving also, because You forgave me of my sin and accepted me as Your son. Thank You Lord Jesus for being my King, my Savior and my deliverer. May I always be mindful of Your awesome presence and love for me, and therefore never beat up on myself when I feel like things are not going my way. The provision for life eternally with You has already been made, so anything that happens on this earth is really very minor and possibly even irrelevant. Please forgive me for missed opportunities to praise You and lift You up before my family, friends and coworkers. May they be  encouraged to look to You because of the evidence of Your love in and through my every action and/or word. To You be all glory, honor and praise, for I honor You and ask all this in Your precious name, Lord Jesus, AMEN!

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

How Others Will Know that God is Greater

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Encourage, Faith, Imitator of Christ, Motivate, Praise, Reaching the Lost, Reflecting Christ, Righteousness, Testify, Thank You Jesus, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

Scripture: Exodus 18.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

10 “Praise the Lord,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt! 11 I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.” Ex 18:10-11 (NLT)

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

Jethro who was a man of God, went into the wilderness to check on his son-in-law Moses. Their greeting could have easily taken on the form of many of our meetings today where we catch-up on gossip, but instead Moses was bubbling over with all the many ways that God had been so good to him and the people of Israel since they began their journey to the promised land. I was totally awakened by the response of Jethro in verse 11: I know now that the Lord is greater than all gods. As followers of Christ we witness so many blessings in our lives and in the lives of those around us, so who are we to grumble and complain about this little ache, or that little negativity we heard someone may have said about us? Child of God, we have been placed in positions of encouragers, evangelists, teachers and imitators of Christ! Do others see these qualities in us? Do they walk away from our presence encouraged and blessed, or do they see the same old thing they see in non-Christians – the backbiting, the gossiping, the whining and complaining? We won’t win them to the Lord like that. They won’t leave our presence any more convinced that we serve a mighty, all knowing, ever loving God, than when they first visited with us. Based on the praise report that Jethro received from Moses, he was convinced more than ever that the God that he and Moses served was truly God Almighty, greater than any other god.

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

Lord may I be reminded of this today, especially when I’m tempted to whine and complain. May others be encouraged by me and know that I serve the God of this universe and how awesome You are in all that You do for me. May they want to know the precious God that I serve. May I always represent You well. May others see Your character in all that I do and say.

The Reward of Thankfulness and Appreciation to God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, Faith, God Cares For Us, God our Helper, God our Provider, God Reigns, God’s Word, Heaven, Hope, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Righteousness, Testify, Thank You JesusLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE Studied: Genesis 8

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and there he sacrificed as burnt offerings the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose. 21 And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things.22 As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.” Gen 8:20-22 (NLT)

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

Noah could very easily have complained while on the ark about how long he had to be penned up in tight quarters with the stench of animals, and he could have been so relieved after exiting the ark that he could have left everything behind him and went on to the joys of everything he saw in front of him. However, he took time to stop and offer a praise and thanksgiving offering to God immediately after getting off the ark, and before indulging in anything else. Are we careful to do this every time we recognize God at work in our lives? Do we stop and thank God for all He has done? Do we give Him credit for the things accomplished in our everyday lives, or do we attribute the successes to luck, or our personal achievement? God was so please with what He saw in Noah, until He made a few promises that Noah never even thought, or knew to asked for. I believe that God has way more good in store for us than we could ever imagine. He’s just waiting for us to let Him, and to do our part in recognizing Him and thanking Him for all that He does. there’s a song that I like to sing along with, “God of Wonders” that comes through in expressing how awe struck I am as I consider all that God does for me each and every day, and how special His children must be to Him. I want to always be mindful of all that my God does for me and those that I call ‘Brother’ or ‘Sister’. Thank You Father!

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

Father, You loved us so much that You gave it all for us. You created us, and everything around us to enjoy while here on this earth. You provided the ultimate sacrifice so that we may have a means to enjoy the ultimate prize of worshipping You in heaven one day. Thank You Father for loving me so much and providing for me every day. Please forgive me when I am selfish and whine about things that really don’t count towards my ultimate journey in being with You.

May our Joy Be Complete Today!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, God Reigns, Righteousness, Share God’s Word, TestifyLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: 1 John 1 

OBSERVATION

1 John 1:1-4 ~ [WE ARE writing] about the Word of Life [in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands. And the Life [an aspect of His being] was revealed (made manifest, demonstrated), and we saw [as eyewitnesses] and are testifying to and declare to you the Life, the eternal Life [in Him] Who already existed with the Father and Who [actually] was made visible (was revealed) to us [His followers]. What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). And we are now writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be full [and your joy may be complete].

APPLICATION

I wonder what writings our children and grandchildren will marvel over, from our time on earth? This is truly amazing in reading the faith of John and the boldness in which he shared about the relationship he had with Jesus Christ. Yes, I know that our children will still have the same Word of God to study and be blessed from, and I know that there is no alternative to the Word of God, but if we have a testimony to share at church or with our co-workers, I believe that it would be great to write that down so that our family can one day read through that and be encouraged, and receive strength from it. I believe that current information about ways that God is moving in His people today and using us to accomplish His will, goes a whole lot further in helping our loved ones realize that God didn’t die after He spoke to the writers of the Bible, but that He goes on working in the lives of folk that they know also. In fact, they’ll be tempted to place their faith in God realizing that just as He worked in dad’s life, I bet that He will work in mine also. While I believe that sharing my thoughts about Scripture in my devotionals with friends on the internet, I also believe that this serves as a book for my family to read about how active God has been in my life, and how relevant He is still in our lives today. In the latter part of this passage John says that he wrote these things knowing that it would help others to surrender to Jesus (so that they would be included in the kingdom) and therefore he (John) would be filled with more joy. I continually pray that as God blesses me in my devotion time, and I share it through this medium, that He would use this so that He might be glorified by the decisions of others reading this. Feel free to copy this (SOAP) format for your quiet time in the Word. Whether you share it with others is entirely up to you, but I believe that writing/typing your thoughts will help you to express your understanding and feelings before God. God spoke to people like John, and I truly believe that He still speaks to us today through His divine Word. Meditate on it daily and let God speak to you!

PRAYER

Thank You for Your Word Lord Jesus. Thank you for the relevance of it, for the truths contained in it and for the direction given to each of us that read it. May You be glorified by each of us that are blessed from reading it. May we be bold in our witness to others. May we freely share with others when we feel You have been active in our lives, so that they may be encouraged to keep reading Your Word, praying to You, sharing their faith and depending on You daily in their personal lives. I know that You are very much alive and active in my life. Please help me to encourage someone else today so that they may also know that You are available to all that have accepted You and have a personal relationship with You.