Category: Witness

Learn To Know God’s Will

On By Ed AlgreenIn Listen to the Word of God, Living with purpose, Testimony, WitnessLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2016-11-02

Scripture

Bible Reference: Romans 12:1–2

Bible Text:  1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I believe there are certain places that Christians find themselves and later question “how did I get myself into this?” then we pray “Please God don’t come just now, for I will be ashamed to face You”. Ever been there and done that? Let’s imagine for a moment how far that moment is from what Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,  is teaching here. Let’s think about some things that the Word of God is telling us might help us learn the will of God, which should be our goal in this life:

  • In verse (1) we are told that ‘we are to give our bodies to God because of all He has done for us‘. Back in 6:13-19, we were taught that we become slave to whomever we obey. I believe that ‘giving our bodies to God’ means surrendering our will to the will of God. I believe it’s the same as saying ‘I’m Yours Lord, everything I am, everything I’ve got, try me now and see if I’m completely Yours‘. The bottom line is that God has done, and continues to do, so much for us on a daily basis. How can we claim Him as Lord, but refuse to give Him control of our lives? That would be the same as being married, but continuing to live as a single person;
  • Let our bodies/lives be living proof of the One that we love, serve, and obey – the kind that are acceptable to God. We must walk the talk friends. Let’s not tell the pastor, or try to convince our praying mom or our hurting spouse, that we love Jesus, if nothing has changed in our lives. A verse I shared with a group just last night from Psalm 139 reminded me that God knows more than what others can see in our walk, for He knows our very thoughts;
  • Often our behavior will mimic those who we hang around with for a while. Because children of God are to seek the will of God for their lives, this means that we are to hang around with God more than anyone else. Yes, I believe that this means we need more time with God than just an hour at a weekend service. In verse two, we are told that we need to be so devoted to God and desire the will of God with such intensity that He has the liberty to transform us into usable instruments for His service. If we expect God to be there for us 24/7/365, then we need to show our commitment in return to Him in precisely the same way. If there’s any part of our day that we resume personal leadership, then let’s not be surprised by the outcome, for we have just shown evidence that we don’t need God for that part of our day.

In each of the above bullets I underscored in bold font, a few things that I believe our key verses are telling us today. Paul said that when these things become a reality in our lives, then we will learn to know the will of God for our lives. Are you there yet, friends?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us through Your Word how ridiculous it is for us to say we are Your followers, yet we control our course of life. If I am truly Yours, then I must surrender my will, and allow Your will to be prevalent in all aspects  of my life. Lord, I’m afraid that many who call You Lord, are living their lives the way they feel best, and only call on You when necessary or desperate. Lord, may the meditation of our hearts; the very depths of our thoughts; and the expressions from our lips be pleasing in Your sight, so they may be used for Your glory. If there be any wicked way in us, or if there’s anything that makes You sad with us, please touch our hearts and renew a right spirit within us. May we be usable vessels for Your work oh Lord, my Rock and my Salvation, 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!

May Others See Jesus in You

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christ's Representative, Evangelism, Evangelize, Representation of the Master, Representative of Christ, True witnesses, Witness, WitnessingLeave a comment

Friday, 2016-09-30

Scripture

Bible Reference: Philemon 1:6

Bible Text:   6 … I pray that as you share your faith with others it will grip their lives too, as they see the wealth of good things in you that come from Christ Jesus.

Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take

The apostle Paul wrote this letter while still in jail, because of his preaching the Word of God. The letter was to his Brother in the Lord, Philemon. Paul’s life had been enriched by Philemon, and he wanted Philemon to know that he was praying that the lives of others would also be enriched as he shares the Word with them. Friends, I believe that God got my attention on this because He wanted me to stop and think about how ridiculous we oftentimes are today. If we had a good relationship with the Governor of our state, or a senator, or the head of any country, don’t you know that it would not be hidden from anyone we come into contact with? You talk about name dropping – I bet we would do our share of that!! Can’t you imagine us casually saying in a conversation with one of our school pals, that we had dinner at the White House last weekend with our good pals, Michelle and Barack? Oh, and by the way, don’t forget that you have a free invitation to take a friend with you for dinner over the next weekend! Do you suppose you would have many takers? Of course you would, in fact I bet you would have a hard time deciding who to take, out of the hundreds of interested parties. Can you imagine the excitement they would hear in your voice as you share? Compare that to the way that most would mumble under their breath that they went to church last weekend, or they are now a child of the King of all kings.  How do you suppose God must feel when He sees us avoiding the issue of sharing excitedly about Christ in our lives? Sadly, in most cases our reason is merely because we are afraid of being rejected, or perhaps put down for being one of those ‘religious fanatics’. Friends, Paul was praying that the lives of others would be touched, and jolted into the reality of Jesus Christ, when they encountered Philemon. Sure the ‘man’ might be standing in front of them, but oh that they might actually see and encounter Jesus. You know, this is my prayer every day – oh that they might see Jesus! May I encourage you to pray the same? Pray that our hearts will be so intertwined with the life and teachings of Jesus, that our words will sound like something He would say, and that our actions would make our friends think of Jesus, and may our words and actions speak to the heart of our friends, that they too might desire to know our Savior. If we were losing weight, they would want to know what kind of diet we were on. If we were looking younger than the last time they saw us, they would want information on the ‘magic potion’ we must be taking! If we are excited about Jesus, and only concerned about His goodness, His mercy and our total relationship with Him, then perhaps they would want to know more, or even be introduced to Jesus. Let’s all try to do a better job at opening up our lives so that Jesus might shine through, dear ones.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your servants, Paul and Philemon. Thank You for Your Word, for it is powerfully filled with challenges such as we have studied today. Our lives, even now in the 21st century should be just as reflective of You and Your saving grace, as it was in the life of Philemon. Please help us to be unashamed of the gospel, unashamed of our Savior, and very open to reflecting the love of God in every aspect of our lives. Lord, may the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart, always be acceptable to You, representative of You, and usable by You to touch the lives of those that we come into contact with each day. Its all about You Lord Jesus. Help us be be usable instruments through which You can proudly minister. 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 Penalty For Disobedience

On By Ed AlgreenIn Preach, Teach, WitnessLeave a comment

Friday, 2016-07-15

Scripture

Bible Reference: Ezekiel 3:17–19

Bible Text:  17 “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. 18 If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 19 If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I believe that way too often we find so many excuses and reasons to not do the work of God, that we tend to doubt if it was really Him who directed us to do the work in the first place. We talk ourselves out of the things we one-time thought that God may have called us to do. Friends, you will note from the above verses that Ezekiel was not only instructed what to do, but he was given the penalties up front for both himself and the people he was supposed to minister to, if he didn’t fulfill his assignment. What? Not only will I be punished for my disobedience, but the kindhearted people that I am instructed to minister to? Wow, that has put a whole new dimension on the impact of disobedience. All along, I thought that I might suffer if I chose to do ‘my own thing’ out of deliberate disobedience, but never gave a second thought that I was also bringing damnation on those I would have ministered to. However, think carefully about this friends. If you were given the foresight into the day and the hour that a disaster would hit, wouldn’t you and those around you punish, if you chose to keep that news bottled up inside of you? I believe that God is warning us, as He did Ezekiel, that there is coming a day when Jesus will return for His children – those who have accepted Him as their personal Lord and Savior. Being filled with that knowledge and not sharing that to a point of trying to convince your family, friends or coworkers, would that not show that we are uncaring, unconcerned, unaffected by their lost condition and really don’t care if they go to Hell or not? Does that not  leave room for God to say, as He did with Ezekiel, that He will hold us responsible for the death (eternal death – Hell bound) of those individuals who were depending on us being obedient to God? Why not address this with the Master when you pray today? This really spreads to all walks of life friend. If asked to preach, teach, witness or evangelize and you do everything but your assignment, aren’t you guilty of disobedience?

Prayer

Dear God, You went to the cross willingly for us, even though You had the power to reverse that. Jesus, You showed love for us by doing Your Father’s will, knowing that this act alone would bring eternal life to Your children who would follow in obedience. Although You knew that all would not accept Your offer of love, yet You followed the commands of Your Father in total obedience. As Your children, wanting to please You in every way, we need to follow Your example of obedience. You made it clear to Ezekiel that both he and the people he was instructed to minister to, would suffer if he disobeyed. Lord, please touch the hearts of your children once again today, beginning with me, and help us to accept our responsibility seriously. We’re talking pretty serious stuff here – eternal life vs everlasting death. We know what we want, and what we desire for our family and friends, now help us to do Your will in total obedience under Your awesome strength, guidance and wisdom. In the powerful name of 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!

Your Story

On By Ed AlgreenIn Evangelize, Witness, WitnessingLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2016-07-06

Scripture

Bible Reference: Acts 22:6–8

Bible Text:  6 “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’  8 “ ‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
“And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I believe that workplaces, and just about all groups in general, were probably a buzz with stories from the holiday weekend events. From the backyard barbecues to the fireworks to the parties. I bet everyone had a story to tell, whether prompted or not! Paul had the opportunity to tell his ‘Story’ about how his life was eternally changed, and he didn’t hesitate, even though he realized that he was in a very vulnerable position and could have been killed for acknowledging that it was Jesus who impacted his life. Fortunately, we live in a much calmer and tolerable world, where we may get some weird facial expressions, or possibly some verbal opposition after sharing our story, but how often do you hear a Christian sharing their story? We have become such a weak, uncaring, selfish, bunch that we just as soon keep our awesome news to ourselves, to avoid confrontation with someone running from the Lord. Wait a minute, is this not the same as standing idly by, seeing our friend enter a busy street, without seeing the oncoming vehicles, but we feel helpless to shout out to them, or snatch them back from the traffic, because we don’t want to get our feelings hurt if they shout obscenities back at us. Will you truly be able to sleep that night if they are killed by the oncoming traffic? Yet we lie down at night without any guilt about a friend possibly dying that night without the comfort of the Holy Spirit and destined for a dark and dreary Hell. Since we have no control over when our friends will be called from this world, shouldn’t we be busy about the Lord’s work and share our story with everyone at every opportunity? 

Prayer

Lord God, please impress upon us the urgency of the hour for all of us living on planet earth. Please draw our attention to the spiritual needs of our friends and help us to feel compelled to share our story with them, so that they might know the reality of a life truly dedicated to You, and therefore destined for eternity in the safety of Your arms. This is all GOOD News, so help us to not listen to the tactics if Satan that tries to prevent us from opening our mouths, when we need to. Lord we will all be eternally grateful in knowing that our family and friends are by our side, and not headed in the opposite direction towards eternal damnation and destruction. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! 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!

Always Be Open To Share

On By Ed AlgreenIn Obedience, Obedient, Share, Share God’s Word, WitnessLeave 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: Acts 8:27–31
Today’s Bible Text: 27 …… The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” 30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: Isn’t it interesting how we can usually place enough reasons in our mind to not do something we feel prompted to do? We may need to call someone, but we fill our heads with excuses on why we should delay, or perhaps not call at all. The same for visitation – we can quickly fill our heads with excuses of why this may not be an opportune time to visit, or why the person may not appreciate you coming by at all. Phillip had every reason to doubt the Holy Spirit’s instructions to him. The eunuch was from the Queen’s palace – and surely he will want nothing to do with just a local Christian fellow wanting to teach the gospel or be a witness, right? Think also about the fact that the eunuch was just returning from Jerusalem where he went to worship. Now surely the Holy Spirit would not want you to go and be a witness to a church goer! After all he’s probably a Christian already, seeing that he went out of his way to go such a distance just to worship! Then, of course, there is probably the usual excuses of being afraid that you may be asked a question you can’t answer, or you will probably stammer over your words in nervousness. But isn’t it interesting that Philip did exactly what he was instructed, without finding all of the usual excuses, and of course, the story reveals that it was a very timely visit, that ultimately led to the conversion of the eunuch. I wonder how many opportunities we miss because of our many excuses that we tend to place in the way of God’s urging, and nudging for us to be a witness. God had this whole encounter with Philip and the Eunuch ordained for His purpose. I believe there are similar encounters He has in store for us as well. May I encourage you to be obedient to what He may ask you to do?

Prayer: Lord God, You know all things and You have everything under Your perfect control. Please help us to just be obedient and follow Your direction to us and Your assignments for us. Like Philip, we could easily be part of a great big plan that You have in store to actually change the heart and eternal direction of someone we know. Use us dear Lord to be involved in anything that we could do to facilitate Your destiny for our friends and family. May Your perfect will be accomplished, even through imperfect messengers like us. For I ask all this in the precious and all powerful name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, 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

Under Whose Power?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Boldness, Strength, Take a stand, WitnessLeave 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: Acts 4:7–12
Today’s Bible Text: 7 They stood Peter and John in the middle of the room and grilled them: “Who put you in charge here? What business do you have doing this?” 8–12  With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: “Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I’ll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is ‘the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.’ Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.”
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: I want you to consider for a moment that you visited a sick person recently and you prayed with them while visiting, and you heard over recent visits that the person was miraculously healed! I want you to consider that a lame person came to your church yesterday and from all accounts, after prayer over them, the person walked out of the building on their own, without even a limp. I want you to also consider that the friend you visited in prison last week, and prayed with about his release, is now back in town living and worshipping with his family. I’m sure you will agree that these things will ‘light up’ any church service, as it will open the doors to much celebration. However, today being Monday, as it is, you walk into your place of employment and notice the smile on your coworkers faces, as they ask you to explain how your weekend went, and did anything exciting happen for you over the past few days. Do you feel like you are ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’, and would use the opportunity to share the precious intervention of Jesus Christ in the areas of your life touched by the above incidents? Will you be bold enough to attribute every success of these things to God, and not to mere circumstances, or a new drug that one of the sick individuals possibly switched to? It is very evident that Peter ‘jumped all over this opportunity mentioned in today’s scripture’ and used this wide-opened opportunity to share not only the source of the healing power of Jesus Christ, but went on to tell the leaders how they might know that Jesus of whom he spoke! Is there anything in the scripture that gives you the impression that Peter got nervous about his exhortation? Do you have preconceived ideas about what would hinder you from sharing with your non-Christian coworkers? What would really come under question by your coworkers, is the ‘religion’ that you have been claiming to them all along. Is it for real? Is it real enough that you would speak up under intimidation? Friends, this may seem like a very simple and possibly unrealistic scenarios that I have given to you, yet we face similar situations every day. Friends, if it’s really in you, there should be a freedom and boldness that will enable you to freely express yourself to anyone that asks. If not, may I encourage you to seek power from on high that would enable these open doors for you? After all, would there be any regrets sitting at the friend’s funeral knowing that you failed on an opportunity to share Christ with that person? Let’s learn to not live with regrets!

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your awesome power, and for Your willingness to work in the lives of individuals that we touch daily. Thank You for allowing us to be a witness to these miracles, and thank You for the opportunities that will arise today that will challenge the sincerity of relationships with You. Please embolden us to be Your witness in spite of the challenges we might face with our pride. Lord, as we bear Your banner and lift You up in our churches, may we also use that same boldness to share with our unsaved loved ones and friends as they question. May You be Lord in every aspect of our lives, not just in those comfortable and convenient places, and may You receive glory for every word or action that may come from us today. I ask these things in the STRONG name of 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

You Are Part Of A Much Bigger Picture

On By Ed AlgreenIn Connected, Honest, Loving God, Surrender, WitnessLeave 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: Romans 12:4-5
Today’s Bible Text: 4-5 Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others.
The Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take Away: Friends, I believe that we can all agree that when a member of our family hurts, we all hurt. When there’s reason to celebrate by one member of our family, we all tend to celebrate with them. There is just that oneness that tends to penetrate our very soul. I believe that our scripture today reminds us that this ‘oneness’ is apparent in our Christianity also. For when our God looked at the enormous demands He had placed on us through sacrifices, and because He then found a better way, by sacrificing His only Son on Calvary’s cross, He showed His unexplainable love for us, and He showed us that He is an integral part of our lives. When we accepted Jesus as Lord, we committed to being united with Him. Because we are united with Christ, when others also become united with Him, we also have a unique oneness with them. Friends, don’t you see the picture? Just as you will do everything possible to make sure that you have healthy limbs, so that you could live without pain, you will want to do the same thing for those you are united with in Christ. There will be times that you will need them to help you through, and there will be times that they will need you. God created us to fit together in His perfect plan. Can we try all the harder to fit into His plan; to love one another; and to promote good health between each other so that we may all grow in Christ until the day He calls us home? I believe this will fulfill God’s desire for His church, and in doing so, we will be drawn closer to God and to each other. This kind of witness will speak volumes to the lost around us, for they need to see this ‘God-thing’ in action, for them to be convinced that it works! Are you ready to do your part, friend?

Prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus for all that You have done to provide for our happiness here on earth and the contentment in knowing that we have a common thread that will unite Your children while here below. Thank You for the assurance of having everything aligned for our future with You also. What more can mere man ask for. Lord, I ask that You give us strength each day to fight off the attempts by Satan to destroy unity among Your children here on earth. As You have shown ultimate love for us, may we also love one another, and by that love, may the unsaved grow in desire to know You. This is my plea, Lord. May Your perfect will be accomplished in my life today and in the lives of my readers who are willing to surrender to Your will and way, 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

Don’t Be Offended

On By Ed AlgreenIn Representation of the Master, Servants of God, WitnessLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? May this be a day that we will represent Jesus well, and not be offended by those who might reject Him! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: Luke 10:16
Today’s Bible Text: My followers, whoever listens to you is listening to me. Anyone who says “No” to you is saying “No” to me. And anyone who says “No” to me is really saying “No” to the one who sent me.
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take Away: Many of our churches will ordain ministers/pastors, and some may ordain elders and possibly deacons. While this is an honorable thing, I want to encourage all believers to feel an obligation to share the joy of their salvation with everyone that they come into contact with. When we ordain today, it’s generally for specific ministries, or it may be for general ministry of the gospel. We then give instructions to go out in the name of Jesus and serve. This follows very closely what Jesus did when He chose about 70 additional disciples, as we find in verse 1 of this chapter. In all fairness, Jesus told the chosen disciples that they will be entering a hostile world, but He instructed them to ‘PRAY’ and ‘GO”, remembering who sent them. In this little verse, God drew my attention to the fact that some will reject the message that we have to relay from God, and there are mind-sobering thoughts to consider here. Basically we are being reminded that although we may faithfully share the Word of God, there will be some who reject what we have to say. Jesus encourages us to consider that the offenders are not really rejecting us, but instead the One who sacrificed His very life at Calvary for them. Furthermore, because Jesus was under direct instruction from His Father, the offenders are really rejecting God himself. In short, when we are obedient to the call of Christ, and to His command to go and preach, or witness to others, we must be prepared for God being offended and rejected. For He is the One instructing Jesus, who instructed us to go and share His Word in the first place. This is not intended to help us feel better, but rather to not take the offense personal. A diplomat sent to represent his head of state is generally a very honored person. We too should feel honored that our Head of State, God the Father, reached down and tapped us on the shoulder as a ‘diplomat’ to represent Him before a lost world! Let us serve as an honored man/woman/servant, God being our helper and guide!

Prayer: Thank You for choosing even me to be Your faithful representative/diplomat dear Jesus. I believe there are many reading this devotional today who may also feel privileged in a similar way. We need Your power, guidance and limitless love for all mankind, as we go our way today. May they see Jesus and come to know Him personally! For I ask these things in the precious name of 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

What’s Your Excuse?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Excuses, Unashamed, WitnessLeave 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: Luke 9:59–62
Today’s Bible Text: 59 He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” 60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” 61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” 62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: There’s probably a sermon in the initial command from Jesus; in each of the excuses given by the men He addressed; and also in the responses given back by Jesus. I want to reflect for a moment on the challenge Jesus faced when He knew that He was destined for the cross. No excuses, but instead, just His willingness to do the will of the Father. Now, before we beat up on the excuses used here by the men in this story, I wonder what excuses we give Jesus every day for prioritizing Him out of our daily schedule. Oh how it must hurt Him when His own children admits day after day that He was not a priority in their lives. Instead of digging into God’s Word we _________. Instead of bowing our knees before our Holy God and talking to Him about the challenges we were expecting yesterday, we took our chances, and saw pitiful results. Instead of giving God credit for our blessings, a chance to witness to our neighbor, instead we bragged about how good we are and how we planned for that moment of success, or we may have even attributed our success to good luck. Friends, did we do enough and say enough to encourage a sinner to follow us to the cross of Calvary to meet Jesus? Let me be daring and remind you that someone is watching you. They thought that they heard you were a Christian, so they believe they are safe in following in your footsteps, hoping that you would lead them to Jesus. How did you do yesterday? Are there any changes that you need to make today to help ensure that your closeness to the cross and to the Master will be a bold witness to someone who needs Jesus? It’s not a thing of pretense, for Jesus knows your heart, and your friends will quickly identify the intent of your heart based on your character. Let’s act today in preparation for meeting face-to-face with the Master tonight. Hopefully we can meet with Jesus unashamedly, and with no excuses!

Prayer: It is unfortunate dear Lord that we are still as full of excuses as these men that you challenged in this scripture today. Even after all that You did for us at Calvary, and even after all that You do for us each and every day. Please forgive us Lord. There are no really legitimate excuses. We admit that we have allowed this old world with its many time constraints, to take priority in our lives, and we have therefore pushed You aside and will try to satisfy our broken relationship with You through excuse after excuse. Please forgive us, and refill us with the joy of our salvation. Please remind us of the awesome God that we serve, adore and love. May we draw close to You today, is my prayer of faith and commitment, 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

Your Walk Is Under Scrutiny

On By Ed AlgreenIn Honest, Sincere, Witness2 Comments

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 2:11–12
Today’s Bible Text: 11 Dear brothers, you are only visitors here. Since your real home is in heaven, I beg you to keep away from the evil pleasures of this world; they are not for you, for they fight against your very souls. 12 Be careful how you behave among your unsaved neighbors; for then, even if they are suspicious of you and talk against you, they will end up praising God for your good works when Christ returns.
The Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take Away: I believe there are really two things that can result from today’s scripture challenge. People that you hang around will have one of the following to say about you:

  1. You are who you say you are – This means that your life around them has proven who they thought you were, or who you claim to be. This is where they have seen proof of your Christian walk, and your talk has aligned with the Word of God. Friends, I have seen this go both ways, for there have been proclaimed Christians who have lived among friends with no distinct witness. In other words, you could not tell the difference. However there have been times where Christians have lived their claim to the gospel in front of their friends, just like they would do in front of their pastor. I believe that Peter is reminding us that we must be very careful not to be a stumbling block to those we hang around, for although they may live like the devil himself, they will not consider changing that lifestyle if they are afraid of being hypercritical like they may see in you and I. In another part of scripture we are told that we should let our yes be yes and our no be no. Don’t say that we are a child of God, but not evidence that in our character. It should be evident to those we hang around, even without walking around with a huge Bible under our arms.
  2. You are indeed a fake, just like everyone suspected – Friends, this is probably the worse thing that could happen to us. Our neighbors have seen us rushing out of our homes to go to church at the appointed times, yet they can’t get to sleep most weekends because of our loud parties. They refuse to let their kids hang around us because of our foul language. They wish everyday that they would have the opportunity to speak with your pastor, so they could really tell him who his parishioners really are. Do you suppose that you could ever witness to that neighbor and ask them to accept your Lord as their Savior?

I believe that Peter is telling us that it is best that we live in such a way, that if someone is spreading gossip about us possibly fitting the 2nd description, that there is enough evidence preceding that incident, that your non-Christian friends would speak up and try to correct the false statements about you. So where do you think that you stand friend? Do you live the life that you claim to your Christian friends? Others will watch your actions a whole lot closer than they would listen to your words. May I encourage you to be sure that your life always reflects whose you are? Be careful to not cave in to the things of this world when backed into a corner with a bunch of friends. Be a Christian at work, at home and at play, just as you are in church.

Prayer: Precious Lord, You stood up to all opposition and hesitated enacting Your awesome power on the cross because of Your commitment and obedience to the Father . Please help us to be just as committed to following You in obedience and dedication to our Lord and Savior, especially out in the world as we hang around folk that need to see physical proof of You in and through Your children. Lord, may it always be evident whose we are, even when it may mean us standing out from the crowd. May our lives always be about You and in full obedience to You. I ask these things in the precious name of Jesus, my Master and my 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