Category: Worship

The Knowledge of Our God

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2023-02-21
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 139:1-6
TRANSLATION: Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT: 1 Lord, you have tested me, so you know all about me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts from far away.
3 You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do.
4 Lord, you know what I want to say, even before the words leave my mouth.
5 You are all around me—in front of me and behind me. I feel your hand on my shoulder.
6 I am amazed at what you know; it is too much for me to understand.

OBSERVATION: When we know that someone knows us intimately, we may tend to shy away from them, or perhaps be on our best behavior when around them. But knowing that God’s has full knowledge of us should give us full assurance that nothing will happen to us without first being filtered through His lens and meeting with His approval. I believe the Psalmist was very comforted in this, for he even felt assured that God was with him in every circumstance of life.

APPLICATION: For those of you who are married, I believe you will agree with me that going through life with someone by our side is so comforting and reassuring. In fact, it brings peace to us when the challenges of life are raging all around us. We tend to be braver in frightening circumstance, because we have someone right beside us to cheer us on, lighten the burden, and face almost any situation knowing that it’s not just one who will fight the battle, but rather a team of two. I could only imagine that David may have felt something like this as he sat, looked upon the stars and reflected on all that Almighty God had done for him, and is continuing to do. You see, David had been blessed with some pretty intimate times with God. There were no distractions like we know it today. No sirens blazing, no phones ringing, no internet that would call for David’s undivided attention to news, gossip, emails, social media or the like. Yes, Satan was already active in the world, and although this would have given rise to David’s close attention and rapid defense, I believe that David was secure in his relationship with One much greater than Satan, for he was loved by God, protected by Him, encouraged by Him, and lifted up on those days that David felt the world was against him. You see, I don’t believe that David was anything like Sanford (of the Sanford and Son television show), so he didn’t sit around waiting for the ‘big one’, knowing that he would have no choice but to call on God at that time. No, I believe that throughout the Bible, and especially in the Psalms, it is evident that David had an active, daily, productive life where God was integral in every part of it. In our lives, we each could probably recall relationships, or personal experiences, where a dire emergency brought one to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, or brought us humbly before the throne, where we were forced to bend the knee and plead forgiveness for the laxity we allowed in our relationship with our Master. We needed God to intervene on our behalf at that point, so we had little choice but to clean up our act and beg for God’s all-powerful hand to heal, restore life, or give hope where non existed. Friends, when we enjoy a daily life with the Master like David enjoyed, then perhaps we might start reflecting on the blessed hope that we have, the all-powerful God that we could meet with as often as we desire or see the need to. That type of relationship doesn’t come from attending corporate worship on special occassions, or even every weekend. That type of relationships comes from intimacy with our loving God on a regular basis. It may be driving down the street and seeing His handiwork out in the pastures, or the spectacular sunrise, or the peaceful sunset, or sitting with an elderly saint and hearing them brag on how Jesus met their needs when there was no food in the house, or when the doctor would not return to their area for another month. David replayed for us how amazing it was to stop and think of the amazing knowledge of God, in fact, it was greater than anything he could humanly imagine. Praise God that He still cares for us, just as He did for David. Because of His knowledge, we needn’t worry about remembering too tell Him about our rough times, for He already knows. Let us then spend time sharing our love and appreciation for His Son, Jesus, and thanking God for saving our life in the challenges of that day. He might just do like He did for Solomon – because we didn’t waste a lot of time whining and complaining, perhaps He will go ahead and bless us with even more than we need the following day! When this kind of intimacy, relationship and appreciation for our God wells up inside of us, others will be amazed and want to also know Him!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: From a heart filled with love, appreciation and praise, we will sing praises to our King from the overflow! It’s hard to do this when we’ve filled our hearts with the evil ways of Satan all day and all week.

PRAYER: Thank You Father for praise and worship leaders like David. He experienced an intimate relationship with You, and He was in close communication with You throughout his day. Praise God, this was always reflected in his songs to You, and in the Psalms he wrote. I am forced to ponder what it is that reflects our praise to You. Do we need the beat from the drums, the strumming of th guitars or the tickling of the ivory keys on the piano? Will that cause us to worship You? Please forgive us Lord for thinking that external music or entertainment will stir our hearts. Yes, we will sing along, but is there true and intimate personal worship in anything we sing? Lord teach us to reflect on Your goodness, Your mercy and Your grace each and every day, for I am convinced that You are with us 24/7/365. Please open our eyes, our hearts and our minds to acknowledge You in all the ways You bless us. May the words of our hearts be expressed through song, worship and intimate conversation (prayer) with You. And may Your children be encouraged to see You in all that we do or say. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Are You Registered Yet?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Assurance, Believe, Heaven, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Salvation, Saved, Savior, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Monday, 2023-02-20
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 10:17-20
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

APPLICATION: Often we only need to be associated in a group who is experiencing success in some area of their ministry, for us to start bragging about what God is doing in and through our church, or group. Praise the Lord that you can do that, and I pray that there will be many opportunities to experience success in your work, and then rejoice in the celebration of that success. The 70 disciples were given authority by Jesus to heal the sick, tell them about Jesus and cast out demons. These guys returned in such rare form! They bragged to Jesus about how they saw demons obey their commands when they used His name to cast them out. You can only imagine the excitement! Why, we do the same thing when we see people saved and their lives totally transformed. We are thankful to God when we see people leave their worldly offerings of ball games, beach parties, family times around the television, and so on, so they could be in church worshipping together with us. We know that coming to God’s house to worship together and hear a message from God, will speak truth intro their lives and could create an environment where Satan is not welcomed, so we rejoice and celebrate in God being at work. BUT, do you really get the jest of what Jesus told His disciples? In this world, there will be many reasons to rejoice, to celebrate, or even thank God for moving in the ministries of our church! But what what do you suppose will happen in our churches if our people would remind themselves of their eternal destination as often as they meet? Just talking about heaven should excite us beyond words, and cause us to worship, adore and praise the Lord Jesus for making this all possible to us. Don’t you know that when God’s children truly act like children of the King, and they respond to the reminder of whose they are and where they are going, this is bound to excite those worshipping together with us, and they will want to make sure that their names are registered in heaven and they have the assurance of eternity with our Creator, God Almighty, and His precious Son? The challenging part of corporate worship is that almost everyone will sing, or raise their hands in worship, while some may even sing in a choir, receive the offering or greet visitors. This might help everyone subscribe to a thought that they are all in the same boat and everyone is headed to heaven. But God’s Word declares that the latter only occurs when one has accepted Jesus as Lord of their life and repented of their sin. To repent means that you ask for the help of God to turn away from your sin, so that you might, instead, follow a totally opposite direction in life – one that is obedient to God, and following in His will for your life, as detailed in the Word of God. Friends, just as Jesus told His disciples who had been out ministering in His name, there is nothing more important than to know that your name is written in the book of heaven. If you are unsure, or if you have reason to doubt your assurance of this, please get with a local, Bible teaching Pastor, or drop a note back to me so I could help you with this most important question.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: For those who have their name registered in Heaven, Jesus is ready to welcome you home when that time comes! Glory to God in the highest!

PRAYER: I find it fascinating that even after sending out the 70 to minister and heal in Your name, that You still saw the importance of them knowing without a shadow of doubt that their name is written, or registered in heaven. It is so easy for us to feel such a part of a group, that we may convince ourselves that we have the same privileges as the overall group has. Thankfully, I am reminded by Your words today, Lord, that a group setting will not save me. It’s only through accepting the new birth that is offered through Jesus Christ alone that I am saved, my name registered in the book of heaven, and I am on my way to spending eternity with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Please Lord, use this simple reminder from You, and the simple explanation of this devotional to open the eyes of those blinded by Satan, pride and the greed of this world. Please show them the way, the truth, and the glories of heaven that can be theirs if they would simply accept You as Lord and Savior. Give each reader and/or listener new reasons to truly worship and adore You today! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

A Bonus From God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Acknowledge God, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Ask and Receive, Awesome God, Believe, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Sunday, 2023-02-19
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 2 Chronicles 1:11-12
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 11 God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people— 12 I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future!”

APPLICATION: I would imagine that it would probably depend on what we are going through at the time, as to what we might tell God is at the top of our ‘Wish List’, or is our greatest desire. If we are wanting to get married, then we would probably ask God to help us find the best suited mate available. If we are attending college, then perhaps we might ask God to help us achieve the best test scores possible, whether we have, or have not, spent adequate time studying as we should have! If the bills are mounting and there just don’t seem to be enough income to go around, we might ask God to wave His magic wand and make the bills go away for us. BUT, I’m hoping that many of my readers and/or listeners are in close fellowship with God, spends adequate time with Him each day studying His Word and praying for His divine direction in your lives. What would you ask for? My attention was drawn when the young, new king, Solomon, made it his very first move to take his leaders with him up to the temple. He didn’t say what he was going for, and Scripture doesn’t record, that his leaders asked any questions about where they were going or the reason why. This large group arrived at the temple and Solomon led the pack in proceeding to the bronze altar and sacrificing 1,000 burnt offerings to the Lord. Isn’t it amazing how this very powerful young king didn’t recline back and order his servant leaders to handle the burnt offerings? Notice how Solomon didn’t make the offerings with any type of condition to God, or use them as any bargaining tool for what he wanted from God that day? But of particular notice is that God knew the heart of the dad who had prayed for his son to assume kingship over Israel, and how he wanted him to keep God first in everything he did. God also knew that in-spite of everything that Solomon had going for him, he found no greater priority than to gather his leaders and first go to the temple to seek the face of God, before any other task that required their attention. Notice in verse 11 how God’s heart was touched by Solomon not doing like most, who would ask for personal success and riches, but instead asked for help in being the best possible leader for a people he had been given the honor to lead. Although knowing his very heart, yet God wanted us to notice that He will bless abundantly more than we could comprehend, when His people will humble themselves, seek His face, and beg for help in meeting the needs of His people over whom we have influence. God blessed Solomon with the things he requested, but then as a bonus, God also blessed him with those things that he could have asked for! Friends, I don’t believe there is any greater ‘wow’ moment than to see the Great I Am do more for us than we ask or deserve! I wonder, when last have we sacrificed time at work or play or family, to call a few Christian brothers and sisters and invite them to meet you at the altar of your church? Assuming that some will show up, would they be surprised that nothing is personally wrong with you or your immediate family, but that you wanted to pray for a neighbor who needs Jesus, or for your Sunday School class that you will teach the following day, or the congregation that you feel truly needs to see Jesus in services the next day? Do you suppose that people are not being blessed, or saved today because of our laxity and lack of dedication to the God we are meant to represent and lead our people to in our respective ministries? At the very ending of verse 12, God promised to bless Solomon more than any king before or after him ever thought possible. What would happen in your family, or your Sunday School class or your church congregation if God chose to bless in this way because of your faithfulness? Could our city contain itself if it saw churches being blessed in response to their humbleness, their dedication, their teaching and their preaching? Why, it will become evident that the God we worship and adore really does exist, because the might works of God reveals itself through His church! Are you truly doing anything to invoke the blessings of Almighty God on His people and His church? Oh Lord, may we always facilitate Your blessing, and never stand as a stumbling block to all You want for Your people.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God was merciful to Solomon and blessed Him with what he asked for, plus, as a bonus, also blessed him with the things that he could have asked for! What an awesome, giving, and ever-blessing God we serve!

PRAYER: Glory to God in the highest for who You are and for all that You do for Your children – especially for the blessings that we may not even asked for! Oh that Your people will recognize Your greatness today and have a deep desire to worship You and seek Your ongoing goodness for all those we love and cross paths with each day. Your blessings are way greater than anything we could imagine or ask for, and I pray that we would realize once again that You just want our availability to serve, and Your blessings will overflow through us to bless others. May each one that walks through the doors of Your church today come with a new desire to worship You for who You are, and not just for what You could give them. Please Lord, help us to seek Your throne on behalf of others today, and not just for what You can do for us. May Your kingdom come, on earth, as it is in heaven. For thine is the glory, the honor and praise. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Just Bragging on My Lord!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Thursday, 2023-02-16
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 138:6-8
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 For though you are lofty and exalted, you stoop to embrace the lowly. Yet you keep your distance from those filled with pride. 7 By your mighty power I can walk through any devastation, and you will keep me alive, reviving me. Your power set me free from the hatred of my enemies. 8 You keep every promise you’ve ever made to me! Since your love for me is constant and endless, I ask you, Lord, to finish every good thing that you’ve begun in me!

APPLICATION: Listening to a couple share their blessings of love, gratitude and companionship, might restore faith in marriage to those who have heard about, but struggle to believe in its value. For those who are already married and struggling to experience or enjoy the marriage relationship the way that God designed, they may be encouraged to know that it really does work for many couples. But for today, I would like to see us consider what might happen if children of God who have a right relationship with their Master might start bragging on Him, His goodness, and His love – experienced in multiple ways in our lives. Think about it. What does the world normally hear from Christians? The ‘hot’ news is usually how a pastor, or a church leader failed in their Christian walk, or how they behaved so rudely to you in a recent experience. Perhaps one Christian seeking revenge against another Christian brother or sister or posting jeers at their spat of unfortunate circumstances. Friends, I found it revitalizing how David spent time blessing God and sharing with us how much he was touched by God who lifted his spirit. You see, we all know God’s unlimited power, but let’s never forget to share how God’s power revealed itself in our circumstances of life. Let’s share that from a heart of love but always from our personal experience with Jesus Christ. It is so easy to ‘like’ a good post on social media, or repost something said by someone else many years ago. But how has your God been involved in your life? We can talk about the miracles at the Red Sea when Moses came to a mass of water with over 1 million people, and how God made a highway where Moses clearly saw the waters filling its basin. That was one of the greatest miracles of all times, and it speaks volumes of our all-powerful God. But when you share what God did in your life yesterday, or in your family over the past month, or how He is saving folk at every service at your church, I believe you will see your friends stop, listen, believe and want to experience this same God that you love and adore. When they know that you are comforted in knowing that the presence of the Lord is with you, and through His power, He is lifting you up in your times of trouble, sadness and despair, then they will take note of the awesome God who not only provided a way for Moses and his people but is still saving souls and blessing His children today. Sharing about the faith of our forefathers may help to show friends that our God has been at work ever since the beginning of time. Sharing with them what God is still doing today convinces them of who God is today, how He understands and identifies with our problems, and how He is still able to do that which is greater than anything we could think or imagine! Now, before you get cocky about how special you are to God, please take particular note of the very last verse where David pleaded with God to finish the work, He had started in him. Wouldn’t you have thought that David was quite the accomplished believer? I believe this was deliberately placed in God’s Word for our good. We will always be dependent on the God who never fails. Our work and our abilities may be limited, but we serve a God whose power and might is everlasting. We will always need His touch on our lives, especially if we are to ever have the strength to fight off the evil one who is on attack each and every day.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Lord, please finish every good thing that you’ve begun in me!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are the Rock on which I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. You rescued me from a world of sin and destruction, into the light of Your wonderful grace. Thank You for loving me and saving me. Thank You for Your ongoing love and miraculous touch each and every day. Please Lord, continue to guide me, direct my every path, and help me to be a witness to the lost each and every day. Please continue to complete Your handiwork in my life each day until I reach satisfaction in Your eyes. I’m sure that will be when You welcome me into Your eternal home, but I plead your ongoing persistence to direct my path, so that others will never be misled. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

What To Expect

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Expectations, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2023-02-15
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 10:8-11; 16;
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 8-9 “If a town welcomes you, follow these two rules:
(1) Eat whatever is set before you.
(2) Heal the sick; and as you heal them, say, ‘The Kingdom of God is very near you now.’
10 “But if a town refuses you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe the dust of your town from our feet as a public announcement of your doom. Never forget how close you were to the Kingdom of God!’ 
16 Then he said to the disciples, “Those who welcome you are welcoming me. And those who reject you are rejecting me. And those who reject me are rejecting God who sent me.”

APPLICATION: When going on a trip, we anxiously try to ensure that we have everything packed, all traveling and hotel documents in order, and research on the points of interest we want to visit. For the 70 who were called by Jesus, their travel assignment started out quite differently, and I wonder how we would have accepted the advanced warnings handed to us by Jesus! Here are some interesting points that were quite different for the disciples, than anything we may have ever experienced:
1. I’m sending you out as lambs among wolves – Quite the opposite to what we try to plan for on our trips, right? There are public websites now that will tell you the safe countries to visit, but how many of us would go, if we knew that we were being sent into a country of ‘wolves’ or terrorists, or criminals, or gangs?
2. Take no money, or a beggar’s bag, or shoes, with you – I wonder if any in the civilized world would even consider leaving home for another country without any money?
3. Living accommodations – no hotels or inns, but to strictly live with families who will welcome in strangers. First of all, today it is virtually impossible to find anyone who would have a stranger come and live with them, not even church members or leaders. But there’s more – eat what they offer you and stay there for the duration of your trip. Can’t you hear the questions running through our mind about such an arrangement?
4. Accepted vs Unaccepted – Of course we will worry about whether the townspeople will accept us and our message. We don’t want to get caught in a bad situation. But Jesus knew this would be a worry to His disciples, so He paved the way – the minds and attitudes of the people, and He was therefore able to tell the disciples what to do, depending on how the people would react.
Friends, I believe that Jesus wanted to make sure His disciples knew that they were just messengers. Just follow the Master’s instructions and be ready to share His message of love and hope; heal the sick; live among the people; and tell them of their plight if they reject you and your message. Does that not ease the burden on us individually if we know that Jesus is in control; only He could speak directly to the hearts of the people; He is the great Healer, and He will heal as He sees fit; There’s no burden He can’t lift, and no heart too hard that He can’t soften, so just let Him be God. That’s not our role, and we must never try to assume the God position when it comes to meeting the needs of His people. I am convinced that things are no different today, so why are churches lacking in volunteers to serve around the ministries of the church? Why is there such a scare when missions trips are planned. Oh that we would learn to be like the disciples in our Scripture today – go in Jesus’ name, knowing that we don’t need to be Him, just listen to His voice, obey His call, and allow Him to be God – even through our simplicity and trust.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for being so considerate as to explain everything in such detail for the 70 disciples as they were commissioned to go, tell, heal and show Jesus to the people. Our mission today sounds so familiar, and since we serve the same God, I am convinced that, since you are the same today as You were in Bible days, then You will calm our minds to understand how You are still in control and will guide, protect and provide for those who go in Your name. Perhaps a reader or listener is dealing with a decision to let go and let God have His way in their ministry and/or mission. I pray that You will speak through these simple devotional thoughts to encourage them and help them make decisions that will be pleasing to You. Use us Lord for Your kingdom work as You see fit. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Faith – Protect It From The Adversary

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Faith, Faith in Action, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Tuesday, 2023-02-14
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 14:29-33
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 29 “Come and join me,” Jesus replied. So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. 30 But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out. 31 Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, “What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?” 32 And the very moment they both stepped into the boat, the raging wind ceased. 33 Then all the disciples crouched down before him and worshiped Jesus. They said in adoration, “You are truly the Son of God!”

APPLICATION: There are so many things we could learn from this story of Peter. I believe that most of us will share the reflection that this story shows us the faith of a man as he attempted something that defies nature, and that he had never thought possible before. Of his own power, perhaps the disciples expected Peter to jump out of the boat in the middle of the sea, as he prepared himself for the intake of water through his nose and mouth, or if he could swim, perhaps he would quickly assume the swimming position! However, things were a bit different with Peter, for: a). He had already experienced the power of the Almighty, and he knew that it would be this same power that would help him do even the very thing that seemed impossible in the eyes of the world; b). He paid attention to what Jesus was doing, and knew that if Jesus could walk on the water, He had power and authority to empower him (Peter) to do the same; and c). Peter heard the command by Jesus, and in spite of the yelling he could hear from his fellow disciples, he was compelled to obey His Lord. So what happened? Why does Peter’s effort seemed to have failed? I am convinced that Jesus already knew how quickly Peter would become cocky about being given this privilege/miracle, so Jesus seemed to have made it a point to teach Peter, and us, that faith requires that we keep our eyes fixed on the source of all power, the author of our faith – Jesus our Lord. You see, we have no power over such things in the universe, only God does. We have nothing to brag about besides God. I had a friend dying of cancer, and she traveled hundreds of miles to be prayed over by a TV evangelist who showed on public television that he had powers to heal. It just doesn’t work that way. Friends, as demonstrated in this story with Peter, and as we already know about our healing powers – we are reminded that it is God, through His Son Jesus that spoke the word for Peter to walk on the water, and it was Jesus who rescued him as he began to sink; it is God alone who heals a body that He created from dust, and who has the power to restore it to perfect health – so that He may be glorified. Our responsibility is to look to God for all things and keep our eyes fixed on the author and creator of life itself, knowing that through His power, lives might be healed, souls might be restored to the Kingdom, and the unsaved may recognize the grace and power of our God. It’s all about ‘God’, my friend. We are just instruments of His love and servants of our majestic King. The Master deserves all the praise for all that He does, for nothing of our own is merited, or worthy of praise, but only what He has done. Please be careful of the distractions that Satan will place before us. For Peter, it was the wind, the rough waters and perhaps self-confidence, that caused him to take his eyes off the Master. For us, unfortunately we live in a world that is totally filled with distractions that Satan places before us. Remember, our distractions are often those forces that draw us away from God, who is our primary power source. Don’t let Satan win over you my friend. In verse 31 we are reminded to not let ‘doubt’ win in our battle to ‘believe’. Trust in God, and all of this, plus a whole lot more could be yours, child of God!

PRAYER: Oh Lord, You are my God! The same God that created this wonderful world, and also created all of creation. I acknowledge again today that there is nothing that You can’t do. Please forgive me for my doubt and my lack of faith. Thank You for the reminder in today’s Scripture that You had the power to walk on water to get over to Your disciples. I wonder what You must travel over, or through, at times to get to my readers and I, and the trouble we find ourselves in at times. But I am assured that just as we saw where the water didn’t stop You from getting to Your followers, we need not let anything hinder our requests today, for many things will appear to be impossible to us, but with renewed assurance today, we KNOW that we can come before the throne of God and plead our case before an all-knowing, all-powerful, forever-loving God who says that ALL things are possible with God! You are our King, and we adore You and worship You today oh Lord, not just for what You can do for us, but for who You are! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

What Trophy Will You Present To God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Evangelism, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Salvation, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Monday, 2023-02-13
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12; 19-20;
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 11 We talked to you as a father to his own children—don’t you remember? – pleading with you, encouraging you and even demanding 12 that your daily lives should not embarrass God but bring joy to him who invited you into his Kingdom to share his glory.
19 For what is it we live for, that gives us hope and joy and is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes back again. 20 For you are our trophy and joy.

APPLICATION: I have a relative that owns and operates a hunting preserve. While he offers many different hunts, there are a few that add the description, and elite title of ‘Trophy’. Many hunters will stretch to afford a ‘Trophy Hunt’. The animal might be the biggest, or the prettiest or in some way the one considered the most prized by the owner. The Bible refers to man as God’s prized possession. So when we, who are called by His name, see His prized possession straying away from Him, or showing little interest in heaven as their eternal home, don’t you know that God admires the times that we deliberately make an effort to help that one turn from their wickedness and turn to God? That seemed to have been Paul’s intent in today’s Scripture. It seems like Paul’s act of service, his ministry, was so important, and was so dear to his heart, that he considered it a ‘trophy’ to go after, win, and present it to His Master! I believe it was the same prayers, blood, sweat and tears that led to Paul’s imprisonment. It was like Paul poured his very heart into his effort to minister for our Lord. I wonder how many times in our church life have we been so committed to the work of the Lord, that we can honestly tell God that we have poured out our heart through our love, our prayers, our compassion and our deeds for the folk we were ministering to? Some might respond, but I didn’t minister, I just taught Sunday School, or I just helped in the youth group, or I just worked in the kitchen at church. Unfortunately, that may be the problem. If we teach Sunday School so that we can share the love and teachings of Jesus Christ, and not just to fill a position and read a lesson plan, then we subject our hearts to the work of Jesus in and through us. It’s called ‘ministry’. If we work in the kitchen, it’s not because we are unqualified to do anything else, but we want to be the hands and feet of Jesus through every cup of coffee we serve or every piece of bread that we place on a plate. I believe this has caused me to think about ‘what might be something that, throught my years of ministry work, I might kneel at Jesus’ feet and present to Him in token form, as the ‘token’ or grand prize of my ministry! How about you my friend? Are you, or have you been, performing a task that no one else would accept at church, or are you expending your whole heart into facilitating the love of Jesus through you? I don’t believe we have to wait. Why not join me in placing our ‘Token’ at the feet of Jesus today? Yes, there may still be another one coming before God calls you home, but what is your greatest token to date?

BLESSING(S) NOTED: It is so awesome to imagine that God would use simple old us to share His love and His ministry with others who need a Savior! It’s because of His mercy and His amazing love that we ourselves are more than conquerors, and able to extend ourselves to be used by Him in blessing others!

PRAYER: Lord, I admit that only You can save a soul that’s destined for Hell. Thank You Lord for calling me to Your throne of grace, and thank You for Your amazing grace. Lord, as You work through Your Holy Spirit to produce a great work within me and give me the urgency to share my story with others, I pray that You will open their hearts and cause them to also surrender to Your call. Have the mind to share Jesus with others is such an honor, yet You have given me the desire to see folk saved and avoid the pit of Hell at all cost. Please continue to do a good work in me, and in the lives of my readers and listeners so that we might be warriors that will go the extra mile in order to introduce someone to Jesus. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Prepare For Your Kingdom Work

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Dedicated, Dedication, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Saturday, 2023-02-11
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Chronicles 28:9-10
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: 9 “As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and minds, and understands every intent and inclination of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] He will let you find Him; but if you abandon (turn away from) Him, He will reject you forever. 10 Consider this carefully, ….. Be courageous and strong and do it.”

APPLICATION: I had a boss that told me at least annually that my job was only successful if I had someone trained to continue it in my absence. The first once or twice this was said to me, I didn’t quite get it, but this is really a key point to the continued success of the ministry for which God has called us. David enjoyed a strong relationship with the God who created him and placed him in leadership of His chosen people, the Israelites. Imagine if the success of his leadership served only for a single lifetime. It would probably be fairly self-centered and would not be attractive to future generations to look back on in awe at what God did during the reign of king David. But this is the way it is in the ongoing work of the church today. It serves little purpose in us reflecting on years ago when the ministry of our church was booming and the worship services were filled to capacity, if today we struggle to keep the doors of the church opened. God’s ‘CHURCH’ has a bright and promising future – eternity in heaven with the Father, Son and The Holy Spirit, together with all the saints who have gone on before us. Can you even imagine that God would want His earthly church to be any different? But doesn’t it appear like we operate many of our churches today just for the current time, with the existing team of leaders and workers? When last asked by a church leader to serve in ministry at your church, did they use any of the things that David said to his son, Solomon? I have found that in most cases, we are needed to help out of desperation, or because no one else will do it, or because the particular ministry will shut down if we don’t find adequate workers to man it. What if we were approached by a leader with the heart that seeks to imitate David when he spoke to Solomon? Wouldn’t that help to show us that the task ahead is God honoring, God inspired, God powered, and being given to us by a Holy Spirit infused child of God with a desire to see the kingdom grow in numbers and/or maturity? Wouldn’t it seem that because the spiritual leader approaching you as so much already vested in the kingdom work at your church, that they are encouraging you to join in and celebrate with them as you serve? I believe that the advice David gave to Solomon in verse 10 is still very appropriate for kingdom workers today – consider the request to serve carefully. And if you feel God giving you the nudge to serve – be courageous, strong, and give it all you have, knowing that your efforts will be to glorify God as you introduce Him to others.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Serve my God, knowing that He knows everything about you, your thoughts and your actions. Be committed and courageous in every endeavor, knowing that it’s all for the glory of God!

PRAYER: Lord, in our own commitment, may we learn to lead others into a life of commitment to serving You with all their heart, soul and mind. May it all be for Your glory alone and for the sake of Your kingdom. It doesn’t matter what the numbers look like, or whether we are accredited for our church leading in baptisms or Sunday School attendance, but Lord, we simply want to see lives changed for Your purpose and for Your good. Teach us Lord to commit ourselves wholeheartedly to Your kingdom work here on earth, so that when we join You in glory, we will rejoice around Your throne with all who benefited from one solitary life fully devoted to our Master and Lord. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Please The God Who Knows Your Heart & Thoughts

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Clean Heart, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Friday, 2023-02-10
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Thessalonians 2:4
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: 4 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel [that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ], so we speak, not as [if we were trying] to please people [to gain power and popularity], but to please God who examines our hearts [expecting our best].

APPLICATION: In reading this letter from Paul, I am reminded that not many things and/or attitudes have changed a whole lot over the years, because we – members that make up ‘the church’, are still just as stuck in our ways as the early saints of Paul’s day. It is extremely disappointing to hear ‘saints of God’ say that they will withhold their tithes until that preacher stops preaching on this subject or holding to that belief. It is so sad that members will attend church services with a thirst for the Word of God, and a deep desire to hear of His message – the Gospel of Jesus Christ, only to hear the same biases and personal political beliefs of the teacher/preacher. Often the very One that the church is supposed to represent, receives the least attention. Although many controversial subjects are clearly defined in the Word of God, yet church leaders spend an inordinate amount of time trying to decide what their stand will be on the subject. Friends, I am a firm believer that when we preach the gospel that, as Paul said, was entrusted to us, God will touch our hearts and open our minds to the truth of His Word that dictates how we are to personally handle the worldly affairs that will be hurled at us. Whereas when we expose our personal views on a matter, we will only cause strife and division in the church. Story after story in the Bible will show that Government leaders of Bible times deliberately went after Gospel teachers and preachers. But remember, they (the world) serve a different ‘god’ than we do. The thoughts, plans and future mapped out by our God are much greater than anything they are capable of imagining, so if we stick to His Word, His direction and His example, we will tend to better follow in His footsteps. In the Wilderness, Jesus didn’t respond to Satan with worldly ideas, threats or correction, but instead, He quoted the Word of God to him. As children of the King, please… let us learn to follow in the ways of Jesus and stick to the Word of God. When we commit ourselves to the plan God has in store for us, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that will upset our applecart, for we know the plans He has for us! I was torn on the translation that best presented this verse today, because I really like the translation that said in the very last sentence – to please the God who examines us and knows our very thoughts! What a sobering thought for us! Pastors and Teachers, please don’t allow Satan to influence you on what is off-limits in the Bible. I’m sure there are subjects that Satan would like for you to stay clear of, and there are probably some subjects that your members or audience may rather not be addressed from your pulpit. But I trust that since the whole Word of God was given to us for leading others to Christ, edifying the Savior of the world, and discipleship of the saints, then I would encourage you to always take God’s lead in what He would have you share with your flock. The very subjects you were threatened not to speak on, or the most controversial topics that tend to upset children of God, are probably the ones they need to hear once again through the living, Holy Spirit who wants their attention once again on that subject. Do it as unto the Lord, dear pastor, with no desire for praise or glory on how well you will tickle the ears of the believers in your listening audience. May God be pleased with your thoughts, and through your words shared for His glory!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: There is absolutely nothing more comforting than to stand in the presence of Almighty God with a clear conscience and hear Him say ‘Well Done Good and Faithful Servant, you were true to my Word in your thoughts and in the very depths of your heart. Come join me and the Father in heaven now, knowing that my Word fell on fertile ground.’

PRAYER: Thank You heavenly Father for making us accountable to our Creator. You placed us here on this earth with a purpose in mind for each of us. You know our hearts and even our thoughts. Please give us a boldness to speak in confidence all that You have taught us through Your Word, while never trying to dilute Your truth or soften its effect because of the company we’re in or with fear of retribution from them. Please help us to know that only You can mend a broken heart and only You can save one from eternity in Hell. So, help us to speak the Word, and allow You to imprint it on the hearts of our hearers where It would make a difference for all eternity. Please have Your will and way in our lives Lord, so that we may stay true to Your commands, and help us to always be ready for a time of celebration when You impact lives because of Your Word being proclaimed. Not my will, but thine oh Lord, be done on earth as it is in heaven. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!