God’s Word Says….
Nehemiah 13:19-22 (NCV)

19 So I ordered that the doors be shut at sunset before the Sabbath and not be opened until the Sabbath was over. I put my servants at the gates so no load could come in on the Sabbath. 20 Once or twice traders and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. 21 So I warned them, “Why are you spending the night by the wall? If you do it again, I will force you away.” After that, they did not come back on the Sabbath. 22 Then I ordered the Levites to purify themselves and to guard the city gates to make sure the Sabbath remained holy.

My Thoughts…..

Nehemiah ‘took the bull by the horn’ and made sure that the law of the Sabbath was maintained in his town! I smiled as I read through these verses, because this took real courage and boldness! But then I believe that God challenged me with the thought, but what if my men, like you and other men of God, were strong enough in your faith, and bold enough in your witness, to take such bold steps today to make sure that my Word is taught like it is true, obeyed as to avoid the fear of God’s wrath, and honored to enjoy the power of His love through miracle after miracle as He blesses His people? This could very easily create such a pinnacle of blessing and praise in our lives that we might eventually feel like we have already entered into our heavenly home! In other words, I believe that it could soon overwhelm us with a tremendous shower of God’s blessings! I am afraid that our Sabbath, and I use it interchangeably with ‘The Lord’s Day’, has become the one hour, or perhaps 2-3 hours that we spend around church for Sunday School and church. After that we tend to immediately move into our self-taught ‘modern day Sabbath’ where we do what we please, instead of the day of rest and holiness that I believe God intended it to be. Think with me for a moment about the increase in heart attacks; the many, many ill health effects that has crept upon us, and the ineffectiveness of the church today. Could it possibly be caused by the lack of rest that mankind receives – and yes, especially me? Could it be why any and everything is acceptable in our world, yet Christian/Biblical principles are frowned upon? Why should we expect any less? Friend, God loves us so much that He wants to bless us beyond anything we could even imagine, but it must be on His terms, and following His commands. We can’t expect to receive His fullness and His rich blessings, when we disregard His written instructions (His Word – The Bible) and continue to act like we did before we invited Him to take charge of our lives.

Challenge……

How important is God’s blessings to you? How important is it to you that this world be impacted for God’s glory, because of your stance for God and His Word? I am convinced that we need to stop riding the fence, and decide this day who we will serve. If indeed it is God, then let’s do it wholeheartedly, without reservation, and stand up to any opposition, whether it’s in teaching, or practicing otherwise. We are sitting on, and treating way to lightly, the power of our Mighty, but Loving and Awesome God. Choose this day whom you will serve! Then as any good attorney would do in order to be effective in a courtroom, read the Book of instruction and follow its teachings. It leads to Christ. Exactly where you and I should be in all Truth and obedience.

Prayer…

Lord Jesus, I’m afraid that we (Christians) have not given up our worldly roots and truly learned to follow You. Thank You for all that You offer to us, and want to do for us. Please take control of our minds, our most inner beings, and help us to be firm in our faith, obedient in our decisions and actions, and bold in our witness to others, after we have cleared the ‘plank’ from our own eyes and lives. Lord, I must ask You to first of all do this in my life, but Master, I would humbly ask that You then start from the top of our earthly role models with the same impact. Begin with our pastors, then all the way down to our church attendees. Please help us to truly be all that we claim to be, children of Yours – living lives exampled after You and in appreciation for all that You did for us so that we may enjoy the benefits of eternity with You in heaven! You are God alone, please help us to honor You in and through our lives while here on this earth, is my humble and heartfelt prayer. For it is in Your most precious and holy name that I pray, AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.

God’s Word Says….

Acts 15:36-40 (NCV)
36 After some time, Paul said to Barnabas, “We should go back to all those towns where we preached the message of the Lord. Let’s visit the believers and see how they are doing.”
37 Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them, 38 but he had left them at Pamphylia; he did not continue with them in the work. So Paul did not think it was a good idea to take him. 39 Paul and Barnabas had such a serious argument about this that they separated and went different ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left.

My Thoughts…..

Often in the lives of individuals, and yes even in the lives of Christians and our churches, disagreements will arise, and sometimes the decision is made to separate. Way too often though, enough is not done to reach the state of mutual decision before one party flies off in a rage and promises the world and all of Satan’s demons that they will never darken the doors of a church again, or they will do all within their power to bring revenge on the other person or group. As in every case with scripture, we can find the answers to life’s challenges right within the pages of the Bible and, as Christians, we are obligated to follow its instruction, whether it is in our favor or not. Paul and Barnabas, these saints that did such awesome work for the Lord, had a disagreement about Barnabas wanting to bring a family member along who, at one point earlier, had abandoned their ministry. Although some translations indicate that this was a very serious argument, it is clear that they separated. Yet they multiplied their efforts by sending out two teams, instead of just the one team of Paul and Barnabas. With the help of later scripture, it is believed that both teams had effective ministry opportunities and successes. Effective ministry will only happen when God has free reign in the effort and that there are no wedges placed there by us that will cause God to turn His holy face away from us.

Challenge……

I’m sure that each one meditating on this devotional will agree that at one point in your lives you have either been involved in, or part of a church or group that had been involved in some type of disagreement or split at some point. It is not something that any of us could be proud of, because God’s Word teaches unity and reconciliation. This particular story teaches us that we can agree to disagree, and yes, we may even have to separate at times to effectively continue ministry for our Lord. But we should always bear in mind that our sole purpose as a Christian is to: a). Worship and adore the Savior we recognize as Lord of our lives; and b). to grow each day to be more like Jesus in every way, and this involves living humble loving lives like He did, and loving our neighbor as ourselves, as He commanded. There is an old chorus that Christians once sang, “They will know us by our love”. To fulfill either of these Christian duties, we must be willing to give and take. It’s not all about us! Jesus is the One that we live for, love, adore and strive to imitate every day. Can we commit today to be more like Him in ALL walks of life, so that the world will know us by our love? We know that He is with us at all times, and that we are never alone, so with His help we can do ALL things! Let’s fill this world with true Jesus followers and imitators of Christ friend!

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, I am sure that You must look at us, sometimes utterly ashamed of the people that You created specifically to worship and honor You. Often we allow such an influence by Satan in our lives and subsequently in our churches, that You are excluded, and I am convinced that You will refuses to force Yourself upon us. Lord, we are ashamed of our weaknesses and our defeated lives, while family and friends all around us are dying and going to Hell. Please forgive our littleness and ineffectiveness. Lord I know that it is only You who can fill us and make us more like You in all of life’s situations, so I humbly ask You for a fresh filling of Your Holy Spirit so that I may have power to overcome sin and its awful effect on my life. I know that with Your help, I can be more than a conqueror of anything that Satan throws at me. Please fill me with Your power and Your love so that I may share it with all those that I come into contact with. You overcame death on that glorious day after your crucifixion, oh that You may fill me, and my friends meditating on this, with Your power to overcome evil and to be a reflection of our risen Lord! For it is in that name that I humbly pray and ask all this, AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.

God’s Word Says….

Acts 15:20-21 (NCV)
20 Instead, we should write a letter to them telling them these things: Stay away from food that has been offered to idols (which makes it unclean), any kind of sexual sin, eating animals that have been strangled, and blood. 21 They should do these things, because for a long time in every city the law of Moses has been taught. And it is still read in the synagogue every Sabbath day.”

My Thoughts…..

After deep study on these verses I believe that I understand what James was trying to accomplish in what he said to the Jews gathered. Because of other scripture, we know that James was very aware that there is only one thing required for salvation. In fact, today is Good Friday, a day that commemorates the day that Jesus was crucified. A powerful sacrifice made for our forgiveness of sin. Powerful, because He could have taken the liberty of also being the Son of God, and prevented the enormous pain, agony, embarrassment, and mockery of public crucifixion. There are many accounts in scripture where we saw the power of Jesus – raising the dead; turning water into wine; healing the blind and the crippled, etc. so we know that He could have just as easily performed a miracle to avoid the cross. So James, knowing that there is nothing more needed for salvation – no add-ons, yet he proposed that the letter back to the new Gentile converts include conditions. What he was actually doing here is leaving the door of opportunity for these new converts to be accepted by his Jewish brothers, because he knew that one day they (the Gentiles) may very well have to witness to their Jewish counterparts about their lost (life without Jesus) condition. The conditions included were a type of compromise that would allow the Jews to accept what Paul and Barnabas said was happening among the Gentiles.

Challenge……

This story perfectly illustrates how we may have to sometime ‘go with the flow’, as long as it is not sin, in order to keep the windows of opportunity open with those that we are trying to reach. In 2 Timothy 2:10 Paul told Timothy that he was not only willing to be tied in chains, but to do anything if it would help in leading his fellow countrymen to salvation in Jesus Christ. So how is it with you friend? What are you willing to do to reach that lost family member or friend that you are praying for? Are you keeping the doors of communication opened? Are you showing them that you are just as human as they are, and that you understand the pain and struggles that they might be going through, some of which might be standing in their way of decision for the Lord? To earn that person’s trust, they need to know that you can identify with them. To enable you to speak to their heart, they must have your trust. Jesus was just a humble, servant kind’a man, yet He had more power than anyone in the whole world. Can you be that humble – for the ultimate good of mankind? How important is the salvation of the person at the top of your prayer list to you?

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, my heart is heavy today as I reflect on all that You willingly suffered on Calvary’s rugged cross, just so that I might have forgiveness of sin, and look forward to eternity in Heaven with You. But praise God, I am overjoyed in knowing that You loved even me, a mere sinner saved by grace, enough to compromise Your power over those that carried out the acts at Golgotha on that dismal day that we now call Good Friday! You loved me enough to lay down Your life for me! Thank You Jesus! Please touch the hearts of those that will hear this message again this weekend. May they surrender their sinful lives over to our resurrected, loving and living Lord, is my humble prayer to You. Please show my friends reading this devotional, and myself what sacrifices are necessary in our lives so that You may have liberty in working through us to witness to those that burden our hearts today. For I ask all this in the name of the resurrected and living Lord that I adore, Jesus the Christ, God’s only Son, AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.

God’s Word Says….

Acts 15:19 (AMP)
19 Therefore it is my opinion that we should not put obstacles in the way of and annoy and disturb those of the Gentiles who turn to God,

My Thoughts…..

The subject may seem a bit weird to some readers, but would your church leaders today be any different to the group of men that Paul, Barnabas, Peter and James stood before in Acts 15? I would dare so ‘no’, for I believe that we continue to have our biases and want to defend our church beliefs above all others, even today. This is why community events sponsored by churches, will not be supported by some churches. This is why pastors from various churches refuse to mix with pastors of certain other churches. This is why some church leaders look down their pious noses and respond negatively when they hear of moves of the Holy Spirit at certain other churches. Unfortunately, not a whole lot has changed – even after all of the lessons we have learned through history and, in particular, from God’s Word.

Challenge……

Can we expect to see a lost world attracted to the Savior that we brag on, if all they see is our backbiting and disagreements with each other within the body of Christ? If I might use the words of James in verse 15 to challenge us with today: We should not put obstacles (stumbling blocks) in the way of, and annoy and disturb the move of God among His people, no matter which Christian, Bible Believing church they hear the gospel in, or are saved in, or decide to attend for their ongoing discipleship and mission efforts. What part will you play in winning the lost friend? Will you be brave enough to stand with Paul, Barnabas, Peter and James, or will you be on the team of ridicule? I dare say that God’s work will not flourish through the latter group. You decide!

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, please forgive us for interfering in Your work. Who are we to question the work of our Master and our Lord? You rescued us from a life of sin and dirt, yet we forget that and question that someone else who may not equal our social status, or are a part of our church, could be saved? I am ashamed that we have not learned our lessons and been Your disciples to a lost and dying world, much like You did for us. Please forgive me Jesus, because although my actions may not be blatant, I’m sure that I have also failed in true, unadulterated discipleship to the world at large. My desire is to see my lost family, friends, coworkers and folk within my realm of influence, come to know You as Lord. I need Your love, strength, wisdom and boldness to be an influence in this action for You, please dear Lord. All this I ask in the most precious name that I know, Jesus my Lord! AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.

God’s Word Says….

Acts 15:7-11 (GNT)
7 After a long debate Peter stood up and said, “My friends, you know that a long time ago God chose me from among you to preach the Good News to the Gentiles, so that they could hear and believe. 8 And God, who knows the thoughts of everyone, showed his approval of the Gentiles by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he had to us. 9 He made no difference between us and them; he forgave their sins because they believed. 10 So then, why do you now want to put God to the test by laying a load on the backs of the believers which neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry? 11 No! We believe and are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”

My Thoughts…..

If we ever expect to see the world, and in particular our world of influence, saved from their sin and to the lordship of Jesus Christ, then Christians MUST know the answer to this question! It’s not the preacher, or pastor or other spiritual leader that will save them, it’s their close, intimate friends that they trust, who will plant the seed of faith in them and cause them to turn their eyes and inquiring minds towards Jesus. It is God’s Holy Spirit working through each of us that will impact our unsaved loved ones! However, I believe that this passage comes as a warning to each of us today, for we must be extremely careful not to try and impose upon these ones we are witnessing to, any non-biblical values that we may hold as ‘good moral practices’, and then present that as a requirement for salvation. Paul, Barnabas and Peter ran into this, as described in these highlighted verses. They had been out in the field teaching, preaching and witnessing based on the biblical facts taught to them at the time of their decision to accept Jesus as Lord. Back at ‘head office’ where the patriarchs were located, they were carefully screening all that these disciples were teaching and subsequently correcting them, as necessary. One of the corrections concerned circumcision, a practice that began way back with their forefathers. Now under discussion between the group and the disciples/missionaries, Peter clarifies in verse 9 that the Gentiles were taught the Word of God, then, in turn they believed, were saved and ultimately filled with the Holy Spirit as evidence of their new birth. No other conditions were necessary.

Challenge……

In the case of the Jews questioning the disciples, they had an add-on of circumcision as a requirement for salvation. What are our add-ons today friend? Is it the type clothes the convert must wear, is it the church they must attend or the number of church services, or is it the new ‘godly’ language they must learn to speak? Let’s not forget friends, while many of these things are attributes of a Christian that we may know, these are added blessings that God will shower on us and that we may gain from being around God’s people, in His Word and just learning about His character. Let’s take heed to what Peter said in vs 10, and not place any conditions on a person we are witnessing to. Let’s teach the unadulterated Word of God, and watch these new converts change from the inside out. The important thing is that they place their faith and total surrender to the One that can change them – deep inside.

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, I can only imagine that You must shake Your head at times when You see what mockery we have made of religion, and especially of the simplicity of the gospel. You willingly gave Your life so that ALL may accept You and one day spend eternity in heaven. I believe that You did this without condition so that ALL may qualify for this free gift. Please speak wisdom into our hearts and allow us to simply share this truth without placing our ‘unapproved conditions’ on folk that want to know You. We live in a world that is dying and going to Hell, and although I believe that You never thought that everyone will accept this gift, I do believe that You expect each of Your children to be busy about Your Father’s work in sharing the Good News with all that we come into contact with. Please tender the hearts of Your children today, so that we may learn to ‘share’, and not to be like spoiled children of the world who are generally selfish with the gifts the world may have showered them with. Thank You for hearing my prayer. I am anticipating a great move of Your Spirit today, beginning with me! For it is in Your most holy and precious name that I pray, AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.

God’s Word Says….

Acts 14:19-20 (GNT)
19 Some Jews came from Antioch in Pisidia and from Iconium; they won the crowd over to their side, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking that he was dead. 20But when the believers gathered round him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he and Barnabas went to Derbe.

My Thoughts…..

Because of Paul’s ministry, and the miracles that ensued, the Jews stoned him and took him outside the city gates. However the disciples (the fellow believers in Christ) circled about him and he got up and went back into the city. I am envisioning that the disciples got around this man, prayed for him and showed concern and love for him. Further, I believe that they circled around him as he returned to the city, indicating that they were his protector. I also believe that it was, to a great extent, the prayers and their love that helped Paul get to his feet and continue the ministry to that city.

Challenge……

Friends, I believe that God places people like Paul in our path every day. There are folk that are hurt, discouraged, and looking for a disciple to circle around them, pray for them, encourage them and love on them. I believe there are folk that feel like giving up because they feel like their ministry is falling on deaf ears and having no impact for the Lord. There are friends within our realm of influence that are hurting – either financially, or in their health, or in the bad health of their loved one, or even because of death, perhaps. It is not our job to refer them to the pastor, or send them to the church office, or ask someone else to go and pray for them. We are often placed in such scenarios so that God might minister through us. Sounds impossible? Remember, with God all things are possible. God is looking for our availability and willingness to serve Him, not our abilities. Sure in the eyes of the world there may be others more qualified to help, but I can guarantee you today that there is none like our God, and with Him ministering through us, we can do all things! So be on the lookout for who might need you today, and seek God’s wisdom and power to help them. He is more than willing to encircle us and help us to do the right thing. Just let Him do it friend!

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, I believe that there are many that are hurting in our world. Literally in OUR world of influence. Please open my eyes that I might see the needs of people that I come into contact with. Please give me wisdom and humbleness to stop the busy-ness around me so that I might not only see the needs, but that I might encircle the person, encourage them, pray for them and show love to them, like You would have me do. Father, You have a large army of folk that claim You as Lord on Sunday. Please help us to be Your disciple every day of the week and truly show that we are Yours. For it is in Your precious and wonderful name that I pray. AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.

God’s Word Says….

Nehemiah 9:16-19 (The Message)

They turned a deaf ear, they refused to remember the miracles you had done for them;
They turned stubborn, got it into their heads to return to their Egyptian slavery.
And you, a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, incredibly patient, with tons of love – you didn’t dump them. Yes, even when they cast a sculpted calf and said, “This is your god who brought you out of Egypt,” and continued from bad to worse, You in your amazing compassion didn’t walk off and leave them in the desert.

My Thoughts…..

I thought that this sounded much like the condition of our great country today. In all good consciousness, we can honestly say that God has been gracious to us. Blessed us beyond measure, been very patient with, and loving to us. Yet every time we turn on the evening news we hear about all the evil that occurred that day in all parts of our country. It you will take time to read the whole chapter you will see that Ezra listed a whole lot of sin that went on among his people, yet God was merciful and forgave them when they cried out to Him. Christian friends, I believe God can touch the wicked hearts of our people today also, but I believe that, like Ezra, we must humble ourselves, and cry out to Him.

Challenge……

In 2 Chronicles 14, we are taught that, as God’s people, we must humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways (yes friends, even us – we have wicked ways that are not pleasing to God, and He will not hear us when also poisoned by sin) and pray, then we will hear from heaven. In other words, then He will melt the hearts of our wicked neighbors, friends, city, state and country. Yes, our God is not dead, He’s still in control of this world, but He allows us the opportunity to make our own choices. What’s your choice today? Are you prepared to do as the scripture says: turn, pray and receive God’s forgiveness? Today you have that choice, who knows if you will be alive or capable of making that choice tomorrow? So don’t delay, please?

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that we are a wicked nation, with atrocious sin revealed every day. Please allow me to begin with self – please strengthen me so that I may turn away from things that displease You. Sinful things that are opposite to what You teach in Your Word. I am sorry Lord, that I have become a weakened vessel for You, as a result of sin that always interferes and weakens my relationship with You. Then Lord, I plead with You to forgive me of my sin and strengthen me with Your awesome power, so that I may truly be a usable instrument by You. I also ask that You please touch the hearts of those that may meditate on this devotional today. Please influence them to do the same as I just did, so that we may be a stronger witness for You in all areas of our lives. No matter where we are in the world, I believe that You need warriors who are truly committed to serving You without the hindrance of sin. Dear God, I ask all this in the precious and awesome name of Your Son, Jesus, my Lord. AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.

God’s Word Says….

Nehemiah 8:1-3 (AMP)
1 THEN ALL the people gathered together as one man in the broad place before the Water Gate; and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel.
2 And Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of both men and women and all who could hear with understanding, on the first of the seventh month.
3 He read from it, facing the broad place before the Water Gate, from early morning until noon, in the presence of the men and women and those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

My Thoughts…..

I have really been touched by the life and work of Ezra. Very heartwarming and encouraging. A role model that I can follow and recommend. I was really touched by this whole chapter, but want to draw attention to just a few things: a). The people gathered as one (vs 1). I know that most of us meditating on this devotional may gather voluntarily to worship at least once each week, but friends I also believe that a major flaw that keeps many of our family and friends out of church, is the backbiting, gossip and disharmony they feel when they attend church. These folk gathered in complete harmony – as one – no personal agendas that would cause separation or disharmony! b). The people asked Ezra to read the Word of God. Thank God I worship with believers who are hungry after the Word of God, and I also thank God for the number of excellent teachers and preachers that expound on the Word – explains it in a way that we can understand. I feel like too often in our churches we find too much of ‘self-ology’ to truly allow the people to see Jesus and understand His teaching; and c). The Word was read for at least four hours – from morning to noon. I feel like way too often we have placed God in a box, and we are willing to give Him just so much of our time. We plan what time we want our crock pots to finish our lunch, or we plan with friends to meet us at a restaurant at a given time.

Challenge……

What if God was allowed to have His way with us in our church service, and our pastor was led to read the Word for an hour or more? What if we were led to go over and pray for that friend that we know might be facing many life challenges? What if we paid no attention to the clock and God moved so mightily that we wound up leaving about three hours later? Would you be left in the number remaining, or would you be one of the first to leave at the one-hour mark? Down in vs 14, we see where the people were reminded of some Godly practices they had forgotten. Wouldn’t it be rewarding to leave our church service with a few items on our personal to-do list, because we had either forgotten that teaching or at some point in our past had chosen to disregard it? Friends, when stuff like this start to happen, we will need to build larger churches, because the lost will want to see what is going on in our churches that is impacting our lives! Oh that God would work on the hearts of His people …. like you and me. Begin with church members/attendees, then through us, the lost will desire a change in their lives!

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, You know that we, Your people have generally become a poor excuse as representatives of Yours. I believe that You are saddened by the number of unsaved loved ones and friends who are totally turned off from the gospel, because of the hypocritical lives that we live. Please forgive me for my inconsistency and lack of Godly example that I may portray to my lost friends and family. These are the folk that know me best dear God, so please help me to be bold and consistent in my daily walk and talk. Please allow me to reflect Your teachings and Your ways in all aspects of my life. Please tender the hearts of readers so that they too might examine their hearts and seek Your help, as necessary.

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.

God’s Word Says….
Acts 14:1-3 (AMP)

1 NOW AT Iconium [also Paul and Barnabas] went into the Jewish synagogue together and spoke with such power that a great number both of Jews and of Greeks believed (became Christians);
2 But the unbelieving Jews [who rejected their message] aroused the Gentiles and embittered their minds against the brethren.
3 So [Paul and Barnabas] stayed on there for a long time, speaking freely and fearlessly and boldly in the Lord, Who continued to bear testimony to the Word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be performed by their hands.

My Thoughts…..

Throughout so much of the New Testament we find evidence that when one is ‘filled with the Spirit of God’ miracles and wondrous works for God occur. In this passage today, we know that Paul and Barnabas were ‘filled with the Spirit’ because they spoke with such boldness that both Jews and Gentiles were saved. We must know that only God can save someone. God, through His Holy Spirit, spoke so boldly through these men that souls were saved. Also, what followed is always evident when the Holy Spirit is actively at work – old Satan does his very best to rise up through his little army and provide enough opposition, that God’s workers will flee the scene. Just look at our churches today, many are divided because Satan was allowed onto the scene through weak ‘Christians’ who started arguments over very silly stuff (the color of the church walls or carpet; or the pastor didn’t speak to me today so ….). These disgruntled (Satan led) believers then act just like the Jews in verse 2, they embitter the minds of the brethren, until a faction arises, and before you know it, the church is just like the world with its fights and separation. Praise God for His pastors and workers who follow the example of Paul and Barnabas in verse 3, for they knew that God had a work to accomplish through them, so they continued on in their efforts with God’s help. I heard a preacher say that he was staying put until God redirects him to go elsewhere. Basically, when we are ministering in God’s name and for His glory to accomplish His will, nothing will disrupt that flow until He moves you to another place to do the same. When the work is for our Father, then nothing should offend us, or discourage us, because it’s not about us!

Challenge……

Friends, I believe that, like me, you will discern from this passage that God will use us, if we are faithful to His Word and His ministry. I believe you will also see that like Paul and Barnabas, we may have to move on to other ministry opportunities, when He directs. While I am not promoting moving from one church to another frequently, I believe that we need to be careful to listen to God’s voice and obey Him. Further down in verse 6 of chapter 14, we are told that ‘Paul and Barnabas became aware of the situation’, in other words, God opened their eyes and their understanding at the appropriate time when He wanted them to move along. Further, we know that when these men moved on, they very quickly got busy/resumed their ministry in their new location. If God moves us, it will not be to hide out in some large church and not be involved. We are to always be about the Master’s work. What’s your situation today friend? I believe that we each know personal situations where this lesson can, or has been applied in today’s environment. If faithful workers are no longer faithful workers, we need to minister to them and encourage them and pray God’s hand upon them. Don’t just let them sit and sour in the temptations of old Satan.

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, there is so much work to be done in the towns in which we live, so many lost souls that will die and go to Hell, unless we, Your faithful witnesses, allow Your Holy Spirit to infill us and work through us to do Your will. Please be actively dealing in our hearts, so that like Paul and Barnabas, we may gain a deep desire to witness to our lost family members, our friends, our coworkers, our neighbors and yes, even to the one that might sit next to us in church. People need the Lord! Please use me, and please use my fellow Christians, to fulfill the needs of the people, for it’s in the precious name of Jesus that I ask all this and seek Your favor, AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.

God’s Word Says….

The Amplified Bible: Acts 13:45–48

45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, filled with envy and jealousy they contradicted what was said by Paul and talked abusively [reviling and slandering him].
46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out plainly and boldly, saying, It was necessary that God’s message [concerning salvation through Christ] should be spoken to you first. But since you thrust it from you, you pass this judgment on yourselves that you are unworthy of eternal life and out of your own mouth you will be judged. [Now] behold, we turn to the Gentiles (the heathen).
47 For so the Lord has charged us, saying, I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles (the heathen), that you may bring [eternal] salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth. [Isa. 49:6.]
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified (praised and gave thanks for) the Word of God; and as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior).

My Thoughts…..

In another part of scripture we are told that God’s Word will not be returned void. In other words, when your preacher, who is used by God, speaks the Word this week, and hopefully you will be present, his efforts will not be a waste of his time and that of God’s. When God has a message, it will be proclaimed. Now, pay attention to verse 46 and notice where Paul and Barnabas told the Jews that since they rejected the Word, they will now take it to the Gentiles (the unsaved non-Jews). This is very much aligned with God’s Word in other places where we are told that God’s Spirit will only deal with us for a time. In other words, you can only reject Him so much. Now reflect to your own scenario friend, and imagine for a moment that God is speaking to you through the preaching of His Word, or through another witness, and although you are touched by God to accept Him as Lord of your life, yet you decide to turn away and wait until later.

Challenge……

Now place yourself at the foot of the cross, and explain to God why He should allow you into heaven, because you never did get the opportunity again on earth to invite Him into to your life. Brother Ed, this is totally scare tactics, you might be saying. But friend, with all the love in my heart, I want to clearly say to you that this is a very sad reality for many. In reading this devotional today, you are being encouraged once again by God to seek Him, because your worldly spirit would never lead you to meditate on the things of Christ. Pay attention to what God is saying in His Word today. Don’t reject Him again today, friend. Jesus loved you enough that He willingly died on a cruel cross, in pain and agony that could have been avoided, yet He did it in love for you. Let this be the day that you show your appreciation for what was done, in love, for you on Calvary. Let this be the day that you accept the Word of God and His only Son. It would deeply sadden me to know that at the foot of the cross, you are told “away from me, for I do not know you”. I am longing to hear the words “welcome home child of mine, enter into my kingdom and sit with me, let’s talk for a few hundred years!” Choose today who you will serve – where you will spend eternity. Don’t put it off, please?

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, I know that You are perfect and that You alone make no mistakes. I therefore feel like You led me to this passage so that I might share Your Word with someone that You will lead to read and meditate on this today! Please tender their hearts, and as they read, please speak clearly to them so that they may make a decision today to accept You, Your love and Your sacrifice, in return for the assurance of their salvation and their ultimate destination in heaven with you! As You have led me to write this, please also lead the readers to receive the Word and act appropriately upon it, for it’s in Your precious name that I pray, AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.