Our Unchanging God!

On 2016-06-062016-06-06 By Ed AlgreenIn Assurance, Provider, Unchanging2 Comments

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: James 1:16-18
Today’s Bible Text: ¹⁶My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. ¹⁷Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. ¹⁸God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.
The Bible Translation: Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)

My Take Away: It seems like we easily find God when we have needs or wants. In fact, I sometimes wonder if we don’t have a nickname for God, such as ‘sugar daddy’, because we believe that all we need to do is ask and it will be given. Friends, I believe that you will find throughout the Word of God that He responds more to our relationship with Him. For we read over and over again how He blesses those who know Him intimately, but that He curses those who despitefully abuse His name. But friends, I want us to really concentrate on the message in these few verses and how they can be applied to us today. Often when we see good things happening to ourselves or our friends, we attribute them to things like: good luck; the recipients deserve that; they’ve worked long and hard towards that; this couldn’t have happened to better people than this; etc. However, I want to draw your attention towards the words declared in these verses, for we are told who the creator of all good things are. This helps us to consistently look to the Father for the things that we need, and it reminds us of the One that deserves our praise and our thanksgiving. We are also given a peaceful and calm assurance that although our earthly fathers may be moody or perhaps unwilling to give to his children, our heavenly Father NEVER CHANGES! May I encourage you today to draw close to God and watch Him draw close to You? Watch Him bless you with so much that you will be ‘blown away’ with His goodness! In Psalm 59:10 we are told that God is changeless. Let’s cling tightly to the unchanging hand of God, knowing that He will provide for His children in ways that we might only imagine, but never dream to be possible for us!

Prayer: What an awesome God that we serve! Thank You Father for watching out for us, Your children. Thank You for not giving us mixed signals, but for consistently loving us and blessing us with undeserved goodness and mercy. In an ever changing world, You are unchanging. In a world where resources are always tightening, yet Your love and Your gifts abound. Thank You dear Lord that Your love and devotion to us has nothing to do with worldly changes, but all to do with the relationship that we have with You. Please touch Your children today and empower us to stay true in our relationship with You, regardless of the circumstances around us. You always deserve our praise! Thank You Lord for who You are and for everything You mean to us. We love You Lord, AMEN!

Footnote: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

2016

Temptation – Jesus’ Greatest Concern?

On 2016-06-042016-06-04 By Ed AlgreenIn Guidance, Protection, Temptation2 Comments

Today’s Bible Reference: Luke 22:39-40; 45-46
Today’s Bible Text: ³⁹ Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. ⁴⁰ There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”
⁴⁵ At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. ⁴⁶ “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: I believe that the passage surrounding these verses probably relate one of the most challenging times in the life of Jesus. I find that when we have a lot on our minds about our health, security or life in general, we tend to be concerned about the welfare of others we love at the same time. And this is exactly what happened to our Lord, for He shared with His disciples what His greatest concern was for them. In fact, I am sharing two sections of Luke 22, because in each case Jesus shared the same concern – “pray, pray, pray that you will not give in to temptation”. That tells me that Jesus knew there would be temptation, and that it would be one of the greatest challenges for His disciples to contend with. Just as I was reminded, I want to also remind you, my readers, that this is probably one of our greatest challenges each day also. I believe that we tend to think of temptation in the light of inappropriate thoughts or actions towards the opposite sex. But friends, let’s remember that Satan is out to tempt us away from the path God has designed for us in every aspect of our daily walk. Every aspect. Satan uses our family, friends, coworkers or even casual acquaintances to tempt us to lie, cheat, steal, look the other way, speak inappropriately, or any other temptation you can think of. Just as Jesus was concerned about this particular problem with His disciples, I am certain that He is also holding His breath in concern for us also. So what’s our role, you might ask. Let us keep our hearts and minds fixed on Jesus at all times. Let’s ask Him to direct our thoughts, our minds, our speech, our attitudes, our eyes and our hearts so that they may all lead us towards Christ, and not in the opposite direction. With God’s help, we can do this friends!

Prayer: Dear Father, please lead us not into temptation, but deliver us – every fiber of our being, from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom and the glory, for ever, and forever, AMEN!

2016

The WARNING Signs

On 2016-06-032016-06-03 By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Decisions, Don't Procrastinate, signsLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: Luke 21:25–28
Today’s Bible Text: ²⁵ “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. ²⁶ People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: I am not a meteorologist, but it seems like there are computers that are constantly analyzing the weather events of the past, so that based on certain wind flows and other conditions today, our favorite weather announcer could be prized with being the first to warn us about a predicted upcoming event, for our safety and security. Jesus shared with us in these verses today about various (obvious) WARNING signs that the Holy Spirit will cause us to stand to our feet and look up in full awe and anticipation to welcome our King, our Savior, our Messiah as He comes to take us with Him! Friends, when events such as this occur, there are often some folk who are waiting for the moment and are ready to go with their Master. However, there will unfortunately be those who have procrastinated, or refused, to surrender their life to our Savior. Please consider me your biblical ‘meteorologist’ today, as based on God’s Holy Word, it is written that the first group mentioned above will be taken with Jesus to reside with His Father, our Almighty Father, to live and reign with Him, to worship and adore Him throughout all eternity. This same good book also tells me to warn you that the second group will cry aloud for the Savior at this time, but because the decision was not made prior to His coming, He will have no choice but to disclaim them at that time and leave them behind with their earthly master, Satan. Friends, until the actual return of the Savior, you still have time to surrender your life to Him. However, because His return could be any minute now, you could very easily be totally out of time. May I encourage you to not tarry; please do not procrastinate, but instead make this a priority over anything else you have planned for today. Not sure how to handle this? Please read my ‘footnote’ for further instructions, or respond to me and I will personally give you guidance. This is way too important to procrastinate friend, please heed the WARNING!

Prayer: Father, I am grateful that Your Holy Spirit visited with me and prompted me of the warning signs regarding my eternal destiny. Thank You for convicting me of my sin, and convincing me of my need for a Savior. I hurt today because of the multitude of friends and family that are playing with their commitment because they are not convinced of the warning signs. Lord, Your Word has been so clear and proven so true in so many ways. Please tender the hearts of my readers and those that are near and dear to each one of us today. May this devotional lead to a time of decision making by many as they listen to Your still small voice regarding your return and the certainty of eternity. We can only depend on You oh Lord, our Master and King, AMEN!

2016

What Is This?

On 2016-06-022016-06-02 By Ed AlgreenIn Allegiance, Commitment, DedicationLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: Isaiah 52:4–6
Today’s Bible Text: ⁴ This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Long ago my people chose to live in Egypt. Now they are oppressed by Assyria. ⁵ What is this?” asks the LORD. “Why are my people enslaved again? Those who rule them shout in exultation.* My name is blasphemed all day long. ⁶ But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that I am the one who speaks to them.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: I believe there are times that Christians drift so far away from God, and lose sight of all that God has done for us, that God must look down in amazement, shake His head and say “young man/lady, what have you done now? What have you gotten yourself into now? Just a few days ago I rescued you from deep trouble (health issues; job reemployment; family issues; financial impossibilities; etc.) yet today you appear so far away from me. What is this?”. This would be similar to the situation God found with the Israelites. For He had rescued them from slavery, brought them into a happy place – the Promised Land, and made sure they were well taken care of. Now as He looks on them, He finds them back in slavery again while those who rule over them, blasphemes the name of their Lord. Friends, our lives will drift towards the very lifestyle that we live. If we drift towards the world, it will make its way into our lives and control the way we live, the things we say and the way we act. It will enslave us. May I encourage you to stop and consider the awesome price that God paid for us when He sacrificed His only Son for the redemption of our sin? May I suggest that you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and draw closer to Him in every way, each and every day? He truly deserves our praise and our ultimate dedication, friends. When we do this, we’ll not leave room for the world/Satan to slip in, distract us and pull us away from the cross. Jesus paid it all for us, and I feel like He deserves our all in return. We can do this!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for giving Your all for me, so that I may have access to the throne of God. Please fill my life to overflowing each and every day, so that I may gain strength to stand up against the temptations of this world and the enslavement of the Evil One. Lord, I believe that my friends face very similar issues in a day, so I humbly ask that You also surround them with Your love and Your strength, so that they may determine in their own minds to not cave in to this old wicked world, but to be fully dedicated to Your kingdom. We need You blessed Jesus. I ask these things in faith, and through the all-powerful name of Jesus, AMEN!

2016

You Are Part Of A Much Bigger Picture

On 2016-06-012016-06-01 By Ed AlgreenIn Connected, Honest, Loving God, Surrender, WitnessLeave a comment

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

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

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

2016

Our Awesome God!

On 2016-05-312016-05-31 By Ed AlgreenIn Awesome God, Eternal Life, Salvation1 Comment

Today’s Bible Reference: Isaiah 48:11–13
Today’s Bible Text: ¹¹ I will rescue you for my sake – yes, for my own sake! I will not let my reputation be tarnished, and I will not share my glory with idols! ¹² “Listen to me, O family of Jacob, Israel my chosen one! I alone am God, the First and the Last. ¹³ It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand that spread out the heavens above. When I call out the stars, they all appear in order.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: I believe that God spoke to me on two items in these verses this morning, and I wanted to share this with you friends:

The preceding verses spoke about God purifying His people with fire. Then He said something very powerful in verse 11: “I will not let my reputation be tarnished”. Friends, we may claim the name of ‘Christian’ or ‘follower’ or we may have a desire, and commit to live like Jesus. However, this may sometimes result in no change in our lives. I believe that God will then quickly step in to make sure that His reputation is not tarnished. We hear about Christian leaders being caught in adultery or some other sin, and we may sometimes wonder how did they get caught. Friends, God said that He will not allow His reputation to be tarnished. I believe that this still very much applies today! Christianity is not a ‘pretend’ thing, it’s a lifelong commitment to the very One who sacrificed His life for our salvation. He’s the One who holds our future in His hands, and may I remind you that He will not allow His reputation to be tarnished!
In verses 12 and 13 God reminds us of His awesome power and supremacy. Let’s try to keep in mind that this God that we serve, created the universe that we enjoy today. He is the ONLY God – the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. Let’s also note that it is just not the human race that are under the obligation of obeying our Master, but even to the stars that we enjoy looking at – God also made them and they are obedient to His call. When we think of the awesomeness of our God, do we need to go any further than to simply read His Word and savor the awesome descriptions of our Creator? Friends, may I remind you that we serve a strong, awesome God!

Friends, do you know this awesome God of whom I have spoken in this devotional? If you do, please enjoy His presence today and rejoice in the awesome God that He truly is. If you don’t know my God, please allow me to introduce Him to you. There is information in my ‘Footnote’ that might help you, but I would welcome your email asking for my help. It would be my honor to introduce you to the One who will make the difference between eternal life and endless death in the presence of the Evil One – Satan.

Prayer: Praise God, I can rejoice in the joy of my salvation, the Creator of this universe and the One who lives forevermore! Lord, please deal in my heart daily so that I may never misrepresent You or tarnish Your name. Please touch the hearts of my readers today so that they may also commit to a pure, dedicated life that is totally sold out to You – a life that will never sacrifice or tarnish the wonderful name of Jesus. May others see Jesus through our actions and through all areas of our character, for I ask this in the precious and holy name of Jesus, AMEN!

2016

What Do You Want From Jesus?

On 2016-05-302016-05-30 By Ed AlgreenIn Needs of others, PrayerLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: Luke 18:40–43
Today’s Bible Text: ⁴⁰ Jesus stopped and told some people to bring the blind man over to him. When the blind man was getting near, Jesus asked, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see!” he answered. ⁴² Jesus replied, “Look and you will see! Your eyes are healed because of your faith.” ⁴³ Right away the man could see, and he went with Jesus and started thanking God. When the crowds saw what happened, they praised God.
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take Away: There are stories leading up to these verses that tell about Jesus responding to the very thoughts of people. Isn’t it amazing then that Jesus would ask this blind beggar what did he want from Him? Members of a group I accompanied on a missions trip came up on a father raising his two or three children in total poverty. When asked how my group might pray for him, they received an unexpected response. They anticipated that the man would have asked that he be provided the funds to feed his kids or clothe them or help get them in school, but instead He asked that they pray with him that God would help him raise them in the likeness of Jesus. Friends, we must never assume that the greatest need for prayer lies in the obvious need that is apparent to us. Like Jesus, we must always ask how we might pray with, or for, someone. I’ve heard about Christians going to the altar to pray for specific needs, and someone would come alongside them praying for their salvation, assuming that they must be there for that purpose. Jesus knew the very heart of the bling beggar, yet He asked him about his needs. We should all the more be just as considerate of those that we pray for.

Prayer: Father, thank You for being our all-knowing, all-loving and all-powerful God. Yet I am also thankful that You love me enough to still be concerned about my personal desires, needs and wants. Just as a blind beggar cried out to You in this story, there are times that the deepest thoughts of Your children are centered around things that are not very obvious at all. Please help us to be as considerate when we desire to pray for others. May we seek to know their heart and not assume the apparent. Lord, I want to be just like You, but there are so many things that need fine tuning. This is yet another reminder of one more thing. Please guide me to do your will in all things so that You might receive glory for Your work. I humbly ask these things in the name of Jesus, AMEN!

2016

Appreciative To God!

On 2016-05-282016-05-28 By Ed AlgreenIn Appreciation, Healing, ThankfulnessLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: Luke 17:14–17
Today’s Bible Text: ¹⁴ He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. ¹⁵ One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” ¹⁶ He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: We are a very needy people. It seems like there would never be a shortage of things to ask for whenever we go before God in prayer, for He is so worthy, so powerful and so loving in wanting to supply our every need. But this scripture today is a reminder that we are to be a people of thanksgiving and praise even more than a people who constantly ask/plead/beg for God’s grace and favor. Think about it friend, God provides so much more than what we ask for, and His responses to our requests are so much more than we could ever imagine. There is no other God like our God! As I look outside my window this morning I can see sunshine; a beautiful lake with fish jumping from the water; greenery; birds and the accompanying chirping from them. So far I’ve listed several things that I never asked God for this morning, but for which I can give Him thanks. Unfortunately I believe many of our prayer lives are much like the lepers in this story. We are probably quick to run to God with our needs and our wants, but how often do we return to thank Him for His attention and answers? Let’s never forget that there are times that we ask God, but we tend to think that He never heard us if He answers differently to what we told Him. There is much to thank God for in the ‘no’ responses as well! Friends, may I encourage you today to try and follow in the footsteps of the one leper who gave thanks to Jesus, and not the other nine who took the healing for granted, and were ungrateful in returning to give thanks! God deserves our praise and our thanksgiving!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You bless us so powerfully every day in so many wonderful ways. Please help us to always, always return to give thanks to You for not only hearing our prayers, but responding to them in such divine ways. Please help our times of prayer to always be deeper in praise and thanksgiving than any of the needs that we have to pray about, no matter how severe those needs may appear to us. Leprosy was pretty serious, yet when healed, only one returned to give thanks. May we be a part of that group that will remember, and will return to give thanks, for we are so appreciative of all that You bless us with each and every day. In thanksgiving, I ask these things, all for Your ultimate glory, AMEN!

2016

Confidence In Knowing God Is With Us

On 2016-05-272016-05-27 By Ed AlgreenIn Confidence, Knowing Christ, Without doubtLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: Isaiah 43:1-3
Today’s Bible Text: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end – Because I am GOD, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you:
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: God was open in saying that He would punish sin and evil, but in this passage of scripture He was very open in assuring His people that He was with them in every circumstance of life. Friends, this is a message for us today, for I believe that God still hates sin and will still frown on and punish disobedience. As He emphasized right at the end of this scripture, He paid a huge price for our sin, so why should He sit back and smile at our deliberate sin and rejection of His sacrifice. However, the positive side of this scripture comes in the verses where God assures us that for those of us who have claimed Him as Lord and Savior of our lives, and have totally surrendered ourselves to His lordship, we can be assured of the following:

He claims us as His very own;
He promises to be with us, even when we are in over our heads and feeling overwhelmed;
He is ready and willing to rescue us when we feel like we are sinking in life’s troubles and struggles;
He will show us a way out when we feel like we have used up every possible option

Best of all friends, all of the above is possible because He is God – our personal God! So I ask you, is there anything too big for our God? I pray that you can confidently respond a resounding ‘no’ to that question. I would encourage you know my Savior today on a very personal way, so that you too may claim His promises.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for reminding us of Your awesome power and Your unending and limitless love for us. Thank You for assuring us of Your power that You displayed to Israel in the above scripture, and the reassurance that You are still just as powerful and awesome today. Please help my readers to understand that You are not a ‘Santa Claus’, but rather a very relationship based God who not only created this universe and each person, but yet You are very willing to be our Savior and our God – a very personal God who cares about us. Please help us to surrender our lives completely to You and to depend on you each and every day. Thank You from the depths of my heart for the amazing sacrifice that You paid for my sin. I am eternally grateful. I ask these things in the wonderful name of Jesus, my Lord, AMEN!

2016

Don’t Be Afraid – God Is With You!

On 2016-05-262016-05-26 By Ed AlgreenIn BoldnessLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: Isaiah 41:10; 13; 20

Today’s Bible Text: ¹⁰ Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. ¹³ For I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. ²⁰I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means – that it is the Lord who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it.

The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: I find it amazing how God points us to scripture that He knows we need, or that someone else could benefit from the ways we share with them! In our scripture today, God was trying to convince the Israelites that because He was available to them and would be with them every step of the way, they were safe to return to their homeland, Jerusalem. After seeing this message hammered twice, then a verse to help understand why God was doing this, I got the message! Friends our human tendencies often lead to question “why me Lord”. In fact, so much so, that a song was written, and it became pretty popular, because it hit on such a powerful mindset of many people. This is therefore a message that we need to stop and think about for a moment. We often feel sorry for ourselves, because we might be going through some circumstances that others are free of, but what if you knew beforehand that God would be lifted up through your scenario? What if you foreknew that a loved one you had been praying for will come to know the Lord because of seeing Him so active in your circumstance? God is not just saying that everything will be OK, but He is telling us to not be afraid, but be encouraged in knowing that your Savior and Lord has taken on your concern and made it His business to be there for you because He wants you to know Him more intimately. In fact, He would even encourage you, strengthen you and hold up a flag of victory for you to be convinced of His presence and concern. Now here’s the piece we might struggle with most, for we want our cares taken care of, our sorrow turned into happiness, our future turned completely around for a promise of happiness and success. However, in verse 20 God tells us that our circumstance may be used for something totally outside of our family or our home, for He may very well use His intervention to convince our world (our family or our friends) that Jesus is alive and that He desires a deep relationship with them. Friends, I would encourage you to always look for ways that God might be using your circumstances for His glory, and I want to invite you to find peace in knowing that God is with you at all times, and that He will offer you assurances of His love and His protection. In all circumstance, let us learn to give thanks to our God, and not be afraid.

Prayer: Lord God, we are such a blessed people. It is hard to fathom that You, the God of this universe; our creator; would use simple man to accomplish Your will for this earth and all that is in it. None of us care for circumstances that cause us to worry, but none of us who care about others want to see them die hopeless and lost either. When we commit to having You use us for Your glory Lord, we may never think that it may be in circumstances such as the way You used Job. We are reminded that You may use us through great things, or perhaps through tough times, but praise to the Lord Almighty, You have promised that You would be with us in every case. Please help us to always find comfort in that, also knowing that Your ministry is reaching way beyond us to touch lives that need a Savior. Thank You for loving me through the good times and the challenging times, may Your kingdom come oh Lord and may Your people rise up to worship and adore You, not just for what You can give us, but for all that You can accomplish through us. I am blessed, and thank You for Your unending love and mercy. 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