Your Character Qualities Show Where You Gain Your Wisdom From!

On 2016-04-062016-04-06 By Ed AlgreenIn Character, qualities, Witness2 Comments

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

Today’s Bible Reference: James 3:14–18
Today’s Bible Text: If your heart is full of bitter jealousy and selfishness, don’t brag or lie to cover up the truth. That kind of wisdom doesn’t come from above. It is earthly and selfish and comes from the devil himself. Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things. But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take Away: Often we will hear someone say that we don’t need to tell them who our parents are, because they had already determined that, based on the character qualities that they observed in us! Similarly, James is warning us that our character qualities will prove who we are being influenced by spiritually. Look at the qualities in these two columns and determine what the majority of your character qualities are telling the world about who is leading your life:

From The Devil	From Above
Bitter jealousy	Pure
Selfishness	Friendly
Earthly	Gentle
Jealous	Sensible
	Kind
	Helpful
	Genuine
	Sincere
Will cause trouble & do all sorts of cruel things	Will harvest justice (peace and righteousness)

Friends, I could only imagine that you may be feeling a lot more transparent than you ever planned to, but the Word of God is very clear. Another scripture tells us that by your fruits they will know you. May I remind you that these qualities of which we are studying about, comes from hanging around the key players. If you hang around God and His Word, you will learn and practice His characteristics automatically, because You want to become more like Him. I believe you are plenty smart enough to figure out what happens when you don’t hang around God, or read His Word, or try to live by the things taught in His Word, but please take particular note of the last line in each column above. Those are the results of the character qualities that you produce. We have both kinds of people in our world today. Which column do you fall into? Only God can help you improve your life qualities, if you’re not happy with where you are at. Please consider allowing Him to do that.

Prayer: Lord God, it’s You that I long to be like in every aspect of my life. Being reminded today of how glaringly obvious this is to everyone I come into contact with, drives me to a greater determination to make sure that they only see Jesus and your rich qualities that will draw mankind to Yourself. Lord, I pray that my readers will join me in saying that this life would be meaningless if we travel through it without impacting individuals for Your kingdom. Lord, may Your perfect will be accomplished in and through Your humble servants today so that the lost might see the King of all kings, even in us. You alone are holy Lord, so please have Your will and way in our lives, so that the unsaved may see and yearn for Your holiness. I ask these things in the precious and holy 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

Jesus, The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever!

On 2016-03-032016-03-03 By Ed AlgreenIn Christianity, Eternal Life, Honest, 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: Psalm 102:27–28
Today’s Bible Text: But you are always the same; you will live forever. The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT

My Take Away: I believe there are many things that we can reflect on from our past that we really liked, and that we wish was still around in lieu of the sometimes faulty things that we have available today to give, or refer to our kids. In fact, there were places that we once frequented that we can no longer refer to our kids, because they are no longer around. There are wise old folks – you know, like our grandparents and others, that we can no longer refer our descendants to, because they are no longer around. However, there were some stories told by grandparents who knew the Lord, that we have proven over our lifetimes, and as David reveals in this Psalm today, we can afford to share these with our kids and grandkids, because it is not only a sure thing, but God’s love will be available to those that would have Him, for as long as life here on earth continues. Friends, the beauty of this is that the stories passed on down to us are not just stories, but they are real experiences that took place during the lifetime of our ancestors. Similarly, there are stories we can pass down about the work of God in our lives – the work He is currently doing right in our lifetimes. The experiences that our kids and grandkids can experience are then reassured based on the stories of our experiences that we share with them! However friend, the stories that will be meaningful to them are the ones telling our our rich experiences with the Lord Jesus Christ, for those are very personal, and still very much available to our kids today. Do you know this Jesus that I am referring to? Can you share with your kids about the rich personal experiences you have encountered during your lifetime? We can enjoy the relationship with Him forever, if we have made the necessary commitment to be with God even after this life here on earth. Where do you stand friend? This is far more important that trying to store up a fat bank account for them to fight over, and this treasure of which I spoke, is everlasting, and it never fails!

Prayer: Father, I pray that the experiences our kids will discern from us and cherish during their lifetimes, would be the characteristics that they saw in us. The godly lives that we lived and the sincerity of living what we taught them to do. Please touch lives today, including mine, so that I may live the life that I claim in You. May others be drawn close to You because of Your character being lived out in me. You, oh Lord, are my all in all! Thank You for loving me and providing for my everlasting happiness! In Jesus precious name, AMEN!

2016

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

On 2016-02-262016-02-26 By Ed AlgreenIn Actions, Witness2 Comments

Today’s Bible Reference: Titus 2:7–8
Today’s Bible Text: And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: Paul had just spent the greater portion of a chapter telling Titus how important it was to teach the older men, the older women and the younger men the importance of their lives reflecting the love and truths of God. However, to tie this all together Titus was warned that the sticking point in all this would come when he personally lived the life that he was teaching the people to live. In fact, even those who opposed their ministry would be ashamed as they would find nothing hypercritical to say about them. Friends, it is easy to teach someone what the Good Book says, but it is way more effective when you live the life that you are teaching about. I love that saying that is sometimes used: “your actions are speaking so loudly that I can barely hear what is coming from your lips!” I truly believe that the success of effective ministry by teachers, preachers and fellow Christians are borne from their actions many more times than through the words they speak. Based on this, are you challenged today to seek God’s help in redirecting your actions to be more effective in your ministry and/or witnessing? Let’s seek God’s face, allow Him to impact our lives, and extend Himself out through us in everything we do or say, all for His ultimate glory!

Prayer: Lord God, You are faithful to us in every way, and I am so appreciative of that! But I thank You today for reminding us that perhaps more impactful than the words we speak, are the actions we take towards our fellow mankind. Lord, may our actions today be way more reflective of Your teachings than anything we could possible say. Please minister to the unsaved, the discouraged and the despondent today through our actions, and if necessary, also through our words that would reflect Your teachings and Your will for them. We need You precious Lord, please direct our path today, all for Your glory and honor, AMEN!

2016

Because He is coming To Rule as King

On 2016-02-20 By Ed AlgreenIn Accountability, Example, WitnessLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Timothy 4:1–5
Today’s Bible Text: In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and because he is coming to rule as King, I solemnly urge you to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it (whether the time is right or not), to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience. The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends. But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.
The Bible Translation: The Good News Translation (GNT)

My Take Away: Paul tried very hard to qualify to Timothy why he was giving him certain instructions. I believe that God directed this to be placed in His Word for us, because He wants us to know that in the light of all the excuses we might give for not doing something that He orders, we had best remember that one day soon He will come to rule again as King and we will be accountable to Him for our decisions and our actions. We are urged to share the faith that comes from trusting in God – to share our salvation experience; to seek God’s face and direction in all decisions that we make; to challenge family and friends about their faith in Christ; to correct folk in love when we see them out of line with God’s instructions. I love the way that this translation says “and because Jesus is coming to rule as King” – because this encourages me to have an even deeper desire to share my faith, and to busy myself with the work of the Lord. However, less we miss a very important point, Paul encourages us to also keep control of ourselves in all circumstances. This means that we should not dare correct, rebuke or witness to another, if our lives are out of tune with God’s will for us. In another scripture, we are encouraged to remove the plank from our own eye, before challenging a Brother to consider the speck in his eye. Friends, we are reminded that in the last days we will see people looking for special traits in their teachers – they specifically want ones who will tickle their ears with things that are appealing to them. Could this possibly be because of the hypocrisy of the teachers of the gospel? Paul has shown us that we have a responsibility to the Master, and this should be in spite of all the challenges that Satan will send our way to discourage us. May I encourage you to take the challenge with all sincerity and because of the love of Jesus for you? For even while you were still a sinner, Jesus gave up His life for you so that you might overcome sin and live eternally in glory with Him! Because He is coming soon to rule as King, let us today be found faithful and true!

Prayer: Father, I believe that it is because of the struggles You see us having, that You bring these experiences to light as we read Your Word. For the experiences of Paul is very similar to those that we face today. Pastors are becoming very discouraged, and laity is questioning whether it is worth the effort to keep on in our witness for You. Please work a miracle in the lives of Your dedicated church pastors Lord, may they find peace in doing the will of God in everything they attempt. Lord, please protect our pastors from the evil of this world. Please encourage Christians everywhere to share Your love and the teaching of Your Word with all they come into contact with, and may their attempts be fruitful because of the condition of their relationship with You. People need the Lord! May each believer play a key role is helping them find You dear Lord. AMEN!

2016

Revive Us Again Oh Lord

On 2016-02-162016-02-16 By Ed AlgreenIn Forgiveness, Revival, WitnessLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: Psalm 85:4-7
Today’s Bible Text: Now restore us again, O God of our salvation. Put aside your anger against us once more. Will you be angry with us always? Will you prolong your wrath to all generations? Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: Having just read a passage from 1 Chronicles 18, I saw how victorious David had been in battle. In fact, twice in that chapter we are told that God made David victorious in everything he did. Yet I turned to this passage and read about how David pleaded with God for revival. In much the same way, I believe that each of us meditating on this today will acknowledge that we have seen fairly good successes in our marriages, our work, our churches and even in our own lives, yet there are times that we feel like we have reached a plateau and for some reason we have just stopped moving ahead. Like David, we sometimes stop and question what would it take for us, or our people to rejoice again. Friends, David quickly discovered that it was sin that was holding back the hand of God from continuing to bless His people. For you see, something must have died, or seriously soured, for David to feel the need for God to ‘revive’ he and his people again. Asking God to give us something, means that we never had it. Asking Him to ‘revive us’, means that we had it, but for some reason it is no longer vibrant; or perhaps effective; or perhaps exciting, or perhaps no longer working for us. Do you suppose that’s where our churches are today? Is that why people are comfortable attending church because they could leave without being challenged with the sin in their lives? Friends, if we want our families saved, or our coworkers drawn closer to the Lord, and we don’t seem to be effective in doing that any longer, then we had best follow David’s example and ask God to forgive us of our sin. Oh that God would draw closer to us once again so that He might show His power through us as individuals, and corporately as we join together at our church buildings. Perhaps then, we might become the hands of Jesus outstretched to the poor and needy. Perhaps then, sinners will rejoice and seek forgiveness, because they see a living example of what Jesus truly looks like. Perhaps then Christians will seek the face of Jesus, and not just His hands to meet their needs. Where do you stand friend? Do you need Jesus, or do you need His reviving touch again?

Prayer: Father God, we have become such a needy people, but yet we seem more interested in Your outstretched hand, than we are in drawing closer to Your side and worshipping You in total transparency. You are our creator, and You are the Almighty God, from whom nothing is hidden. Please help us to get honest with ourselves, and stay transparent before You, for I believe that it is only then that our spirits might one with Yours, and that we would constantly seek Your face and not just Your hand. Please forgive us when we become weak and distant from You. Please help us to always seek a reviving touch from You so that we might get downright honest with ourselves and before You. Lord, we want to be just like You, yet it is so obvious that we are stained constantly by the sin in this world. Please draw us close to You so that we might be effective in our witness for You while here on this planet. I ask all this in faith, and in the strong name of Jesus, AMEN!

2016

Empowered To Share

On 2016-02-152016-02-15 By Ed AlgreenIn Empowered, Evangelize, WitnessLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Timothy 1:7-8
Today’s Bible Text: … the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord;
The Bible Translation: The Good News Translation (GNT)

My Take Away: Paul had recognized a precious gift given to Timothy on the day that he laid hands on him for ministry, and now that Timothy was about to go and minister, Paul encourage him to rekindle that gift that was once very obvious. Many churches today still hold revival services. A time where Christians can be reminded about the decision they made to accept Jesus as Lord. In doing so, they are often reminded about the precious gift of the Holy Spirit that once enveloped them, and they plead with God to wipe away any roadblocks that might be currently preventing the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Friends, Paul and Timothy were two very special, dedicated servants of God, but may I remind you that they were just like you and I. They desired to be used of God to help accomplish His work. God went on to save others, like you and I, and He continued to empower us to also share the Good News of Jesus Christ. How do you feel like you are doing? Notice from these verses today, that if we are feeling timid, or ashamed, or powerless, then we have clear evidence that it is time for us to rekindle the gift that God has given to us. Remind ourselves of the awesome Holy Spirit that is so close to help us, that He resides inside of us. Remember the boldness that is ours when we put self aside and let God’s Holy Spirit take control to lead, direct and control us. Friend, be reminded of the power, love and self-control that is ours when we reconnect with our power-source! Imagine all that God can do in our circle of friends and family, when we step aside and allow Jesus to witness, rule and reign through us! He can do it again friend! Just like He used his servants of old to heal the sick and minister to the hurting in His name, He can do all that through us also, if only we would let Him. But we must move self aside, as only God can do the work in and through us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that there are friends who will approach my readers and I today and they will test us to see who truly resides inside of us. Thank You for preparing us for this by showing us what Timothy was challenged with, or reminded of. When we are feeling powerless, or timid, or ashamed or unloved, may we immediately be reminded of the missing source – our dependence on Your Holy Spirit that is already living inside of us. For the one meditating on this today and feels helpless, may I ask You Lord Jesus to please show them Your message on accepting You as their Lord and Savior, for it is then that they will empty themselves of self, and allow Your Holy Spirit to refill them with all that I have spoken about in this devotional. We understand that only You can get through to the very heart of a person, so please help us to let you do Your miraculous work, and if You are willing to use us in that process oh Lord, we will be willing and eternally thankful. I ask these things in the matchless name of Jesus, AMEN!

2016

So You May Believe!

On 2015-11-232015-11-23 By Ed AlgreenIn Believe, Disciples, John, Miracles, WitnessLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE – ³⁰Jesus did many other powerful works in front of His followers. They are not written in this book. ³¹ But these are written so you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. When you put your trust in Him, you will have life that lasts forever through His name. John 20:30-31 – New Life Version (NLF)

THOUGHTS: I believe that in most cases in this life we quickly learn whose words we can trust, because often friends will either add on for emphasis, or simply tell their story so dramatically in order to gain our attention to what they are saying, that many parts of the story is simply placed in there and may not be in line with the truth of the story. I could only imagine that like me, you quickly discern who you have to listen very selectively to, and who you can trust with the whole truth. I remember my dad telling me that if a person has to swear by someone or something when telling you a story, be very careful as that story is probably riveted with lies! Similarly, many people will exaggerate so much in quoting quantities, until I sometime feel like I need to sift through a conversation to determine the real truth! In the gospel of John, we read so many facts about he and his fellow disciples interacting with Jesus, that one could very easily walk away feeling like they may have been present during the events described. I would strongly encourage my readers to take time to read the 20^th chapter of John, and to closely examine the actions and words of those that visited the tomb of Jesus. Bear in mind that these were Jesus’ closest friends and followers. Can’t you imagine the content of their prayers leading up to this time, after seeing their Master taken from them, beaten beyond recognition, crucified on an old wooden cross in a public setting and buried in a borrowed tomb? Remember that these prayers were going up to the same One that they attributed multiple healings, bodily resurrection, and many other miracles to. Yet when they saw the miracle of resurrection, again they were flabbergasted. This story, combined with multiple others, which were only a small portion of all the events they witnessed throughout their time with Jesus, yet these things were written down by John for the specific reason written in our key verses above. John wanted to show us what it was like for he and his Brothers to be around Jesus, and how He made a believer out of them. He wanted us to have faith in the same Jesus, who was key in the stories shared with us, so that we might also become focused on Jesus, that we would also become a believer in Jesus, and surrender our lives to Him. John knew that as we are transformed, that we would go on to share our story of this same Savior that rescued us from damnation and the destination of Hell, and that Jesus would use our story to also impact lives for Himself. How are you doing with that friend? John’s story became a part of the best-selling Book in history. How do you suppose Jesus will view your story, and your effort to broadcast it to those within your realm of influence?

PRAYER: Father, You were faithful, You were miraculous in all Your works while in the presence of John and Your disciples. Your plan included the death and resurrection of Jesus to resolve the issue of redemption of our sin, as we seek Your face. You had a very strong influence in the lives of Your disciples. However, with all honor and praise to our risen Lord, we know that You are still in the miracle working business, the greatest of which was transforming the life of a sinner such as I into the likeness of Your very Son, Jesus Christ! So undeserving, yet You love me as a son of the Most High. Father, please provoke a desire into the lives of my readers, my family, my friends and myself to tell our story of Your wondrous works to which we have been a party to or at least a witness. Lord You are so good! We have every reason to share Your goodness with everyone we come into contact with who may not have accepted Your grace and Your offer of salvation yet. May this be a day that others will be transformed because of Your gracious transformation in our lives. Lord, I believe. Please help me to share that with all who may not have reached that state yet – all being for Your full glory and honor. For I ask this in faith, and through the gracious name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com 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. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! 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 Main Attractors

On 2015-11-102015-11-10 By Ed AlgreenIn Evangelize, WitnessLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE – John 12:17-19 – New Living Translation (NLT): 17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”

THOUGHTS: Like the folk in Jesus’ day, we also have many folk today who are anxious to know what this ‘Jesus’ is all about, that they keep hearing friends talk about. But I wonder, what are they seeing? Are they seeing any difference in Christians than what they see in their sinner friend from work or in their friends they meet at the local bar? Let’s take a moment and consider some of the similarities and/or differences between the folk in the story told by John and in our particular scenario today. Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the grave, and they were spreading the good news to others they came into contact with. Now granted, most of us may not have actually seen someone brought to life, but what about the answer to prayer for various challenges in your life that you have no explanation for, other than a miracle from God? Here’s my challenge for you: how many family or friends have you shared the good news about this miracle? If like me, I bet you’re ashamed to respond that you have shared no where near as much as you should have, considering the unbelievable miracle(s) that occurred in your life. So friend, what have we done to encourage those in our realm of influence to gain a desire to want to see, or meet our Jesus? Just like the Pharisees did, wouldn’t it be exciting to hear Satan’s cohorts give up in disgust, or throw their hands up in surrender, because there is nothing else they could think of that would help them regain their power over God’s children? Friends, the unsaved will be encouraged to see our Jesus, if they believe that we have enough value in our relationship with Him that might be attractive to them. But how will they know, if we don’t make that known? I was challenged in reading this because I realized that the welfare of others may be contingent upon my openness to share the goodness of my Savior. How about you?

PRAYER: Lord God, thank You for hearing our prayers and answering so powerfully in so many ways and in so many circumstances. Please forgive us for keeping that awesome news to ourselves and not sharing that openly with our friends. Just as John shared how the crowd showed up to see You because of the publicity by those who saw Your miraculous works, I pray that the ‘crowds’ today will have a greater desire to meet You and know You, because of our witness and the awesome story of Your great works. I ask all this in the wonderful name of Jesus, the great healer and miracle worker, 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 read through Biblical truths on How To Know Jesus, 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. 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 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, Sebring, FL! 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 Value In Experiencing God

On 2015-11-032015-11-03 By Ed AlgreenIn Honest, Sincerity, True, WitnessLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (The New Living Translation – John 9:24-25): ²⁴ So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.” ²⁵ “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

THOUGHTS: Try asking me what it was like to land on the moon the very first time, and I would have to look to the internet and/or the local library to find information on the first landing. No doubt I would share some of the personal feelings of those first pioneers as they landed and as they walked around on the surface of the moon. Now, think about the difference in that story versus the response I might write to the question: “what is it like to live in the Bahamas?” You see, I am originally from the Bahamas, having lived the first 33 years of my life there. So I don’t need to do research in order to share a valid response with you. In my response to the first question I would share feelings and facts from the hearts of the first adventurers that landed on the moon. In response to the second question, you would hear about those things I personally experienced, and more about the physical descriptions of the beautiful waters and beaches. You will quickly discern the passion in my response, because my life was, and always will be, impacted by the people and places of the country where I was raised. In our Bible verses today, we see where a man who was once blind, is passionate about Jesus who impacted his life forever. For through His majestic touch, this man could now see for the first time in his life. In fact, the man is getting very frustrated because the Jewish leaders are trying to convince him that the healer is a fraud and that there must be something erroneous about his experience. Friends, this is representative of what happens in Christianity. To those of us who have surrendered our lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ, we have experienced His saving power; His love that was poured out for us on Calvary, in spite of our sin and evil ways; and the eternal hope that is ours to one day unite with Him around the throne of grace in heaven. Anyone carrying the title without the personal experience or interaction with their Master and Lord, can tell you about a Savior they read about or heard testimony of, but they can be easily swayed and distracted to another story that may sound more convincing. A personal experience is embedded in us and will help us to stay firm in the faith and true to our commitment until the day we are called away to be with the Lord in glory! As in any relationship, this experience will only happen as we dedicate ourselves to true and honest servanthood to the One we have surrendered our lives to. I pray that each of you reading this devotional will stop the pretense and seek a personal relationship/experience with a very personal, yet powerful God, through His Son Jesus Christ. Please use information in the ‘Footnote’ to contact me with any questions this may have aroused for you. It is super important that we each seek and experience a ‘personal’ relationship with Jesus. Today can be the day for you, friend!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for reaching down from the glories of heaven to touch my life in such miraculous ways that I can declare today that I know my Redeemer Lives, because He is Alive in me. Lord, may this be evident in every aspect of my life so that others will experience the risen Lord, and not just hear about an event that may have impacted my life. Although I know that You are our main defense against the enemy, I believe that our personal and intimate relationship with You brings peace, solidarity and a witness that will stand firm against the attacks of Satan and his earthly cohorts. May others look to us with a hope today, and not consider us just another hypocrite. I thank You for saving my soul Lord Jesus. May my life exemplify You so vividly today that others will be convicted of their sin and want to know you personally. I ask these things in the strong name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord, AMEN!

Who Are You Afraid Of?

On 2015-10-262015-10-26 By Ed AlgreenIn Consistency, Cowardness, WitnessLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (New Living Translation – John 7:12-13): ¹² There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” ¹³ But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.

THOUGHTS: The party was BIG, but in spite of all the planned activities, the people couldn’t help themselves from discussing the things that were happening in their lives, and this included the marvelous works of Jesus that had taken place, and in some case that impacted their lives or that of a close relative. However, the Jewish leaders were keeping close tabs on the crowd, thinking that Jesus would show up for this special festival. So any discussion about Jesus was very much under quiet cover, as no one wanted to witness the wrath of the Jewish leaders. I found it interesting that this little fact was included in the Bible, but then it hit me. Proclaimed Christians today mix with others while still active here on earth. We are faced with ‘Jewish leaders’ of a different kind. We have those friends who will poke fun at us; we have our bosses who are threatened by employees of different beliefs; we have family members who distance themselves from us; all because they heard that we believe something like the Bible and all the weird stuff about healings, raising people from the dead, parting of the Red Sea, worshipping a God who was crucified and supposedly came back to life again, etc. etc. Unfortunately, I believe that most earthly humans strive towards being liked by those they come into contact with, and never look for ways that would deliberately cause the world to hate them. However, because of this, we will often stand idly by and listen to the name of our Lord being abused; poked fun of; and the ‘church’ threatened with closer government intervention so that, supposedly, people could live more harmoniously. The truth is friends, this has weakened the witness of Christians and the church. For when folk see that our witness, or our story, is so weak that we buckle under scrutiny and turn and run the other way, they realize that it was all a farce right from the beginning. In a recent marriage enrichment class, we were taught that a very essential characteristic of a good marriage is consistently showing love and appreciation for our spouse. When Jesus was arrested in the garden, he stayed true to His calling. Even while being beaten on the road to His crucifixion He stayed true to His calling. On the cross, He permitted horrendous mockery, beatings and abuse, because of the mission assigned by His Father – God. He was consistent. Friends, in some parts of the world Christians are being abused and killed because of their consistent witness for our Savior, but in other parts of the world, including the beautiful country in which I live, this is not a real threat for us. So what is our excuse for our inconsistent witness? Who are we afraid of? Why would we ‘belly-up’ and cave in to the same ‘world’ who killed our Savior in the first place? Is it because of worldly greed; or is it truly our choice to please our friends who are temporal at best, rather than pleasing our Savior who gave it all for us? Opportunities will arise for each of us today, and we have the choice of either entering the open door to share the love of Jesus with a friend, or turn away in fear of not being as popular with our friends and see them go to Hell. What will it be for you friend? With Jesus on our side, who can we possibly be afraid of?

PRAYER: Father, we are so weak, and we fail so often to call on the awesome, powerful name of Jesus to help us through our daily challenges. Please forgive us. May we commit to be ‘The Real Thing‘ today because of our increased faith and commitment to You. We are ambassadors of the awesome, powerful, proven, loving, holy name of Jesus, God’s only Son! So could there possibly be anyone in whom in whom we should be afraid? Please teach us to be consistent in our walk and in our talk, whether inside the four walls of our respective churches, or whether we are facing the most challenging enemy here on earth. My God is greater than all our troubles and/or challenges! Praise the wonderful name of Jesus, in whose name I ask all this, AMEN!

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