Scripture: Isaiah 53-56.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Isaiah 56:2 (NLT)
² Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I have read the ten commandments so many times, and I have heard this verse so many times, but it wasn’t until studying this today that it really hit me. You see, I have been an active player in some key birthday celebration recently, and there was much planning to celebrate these days in a very special way, because these were some very special people that celebrated milestones in their life. As I read this verse I was reminded of how mundane we have allowed our Sabbath days to become. In the commandments we are told to keep the day holy. For participants in Sunday/Sabbath School, this means getting up early and refreshing ourselves on the lesson for the day, then of course this is followed by the actual teaching time, then by church. For the normal, non-committed Christian, this means that if there is nothing better for us to do with our family that day, then perhaps we will awaken in time to attend church. Minutes before Sunday/Sabbath School, we will rush out the door and walk into the classroom right after starting time and try to stay awake while the boring teacher tries to cram something into our minds from the Bible. Then on to church service so we could get that over with for the week, then off to fun family times at the beach or anywhere else that may be exciting. Now in all of this, can we truly say that we have sought to make the day a day of rest, or make every effort to keep ourselves from doing wrong, of make it holy, or dedicated to God (much like we do on birthdays where we pretty much dedicate the day to the birthday guy/girl)? In other words, how is our Sabbath any different to our weekday? How does it line up with Biblical instruction? Has God been placed so far back in our list of priorities that we are ashamed to tell family and friends that their request for shopping, beach, swimming, parties, etc. does not fit into our idea of setting this day apart to God and in respect and honor of His Word/instructions about this day? I have four fingers pointing back at me while I write these thoughts, so don’t think for a minute that I am perfect, but friends I am afraid that just how we push God to the background on Sunday/Sabbath, so we also push Him in the background the other six days of the week. If we are to let our lights shine for Jesus, then we must learn to be more like Him every day, and faithfully obey His commands. Verses like the one in this devotion today will help us stay more aligned with God’s Word/expectations.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, even with steel toed boots on, You have walked all over my toes this morning with this thought. Please forgive me for the cases of neglect that I am guilty of – neglect in my Christian walk and example. I love that song entitled, “I want to be just like You“, but I realize that to do this I must put aside the excuses and be more committed to You and Your Holy Word. Please give me strength and boldness to walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to obeying You and Your book of instructions, the Bible. For those that may be touched by reading this devotional, I pray that You will help them examine the innermost parts of their lives and insure that they are following Your expectations and not finding excuses so that they could follow the ways of this world. Please have Your way in our lives and guide us into Holy living every day.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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Scripture: Isaiah 50-52.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Isaiah 50:10-11 (NLT)
¹⁰ Who among you fears the LORD and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God.
¹¹ But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

So often we tend to follow our own will and do those things that please self, and say those things that promote self. For those who have not accepted Jesus as Lord and continue to work in selfish ways to promote self and do what self wants, I believe that God is saying through Isaiah, that soon you will fall into great torment. Friend, I don’t know about you, but I am constantly looking for an improved standard of living; a closer walk with God; ways to help me determine if I am following God’s will; a word from God when He sees me falling short and/or falling into the temptations of this world/sin. Friend, there is only one plumb line; one ideal; one true God. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Him; follow His will; be obedient to His Word and live for Him daily. Let us be that light in this dark world that we come into contact with all around us every day. Not only will we draw closer to God, but we might be the light that someone needs in the dark world in which they are living. We might be that light that helps them to know that there is a God and that He loves them and cares for them in very special ways. Let us trust wholeheartedly in the Lord and rely on God today and every day!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Heavenly Father, You have placed us here on this earth at this time and place so that we may be a light in this dark world in which we live. That we may be a godly witness to those that we come into contact with. This can only be achieved with Your power and strength. Please fill me with Your love, Your power and Your strength today so that I may reflect that light to a dark world – a world in which I find myself every day. I truly believe that there will be someone who needs that light today. Someone will be looking for hope in the dark world of despair that they are finding themselves. May they find a good representation of You in all that I say and do today, may they have hope knowing that my Savior lives and that You are available to them even today!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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Scripture: Hebrews 1.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Hebrews 1:1-4 (NLT)
¹ Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.
² And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.
³ The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
⁴ This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I believe that way too often Christians (we) go around, whining and complaining about how they wish they knew what God wanted them to do. I believe that in these verses today we are reminded that in earlier days God spoke to His people through His prophets, and that is why I find the book of Isaiah so fascinating. However, in verse 2 we are told that in these final days (today) God speaks through His Son (Jesus). Now I’m sure that your next question would be “but how can I hear the voice of Jesus”. God said to His people “O ye of little faith”, He also said “Test me and see if I wouldn’t bless you beyond your capability of storing, or handling the blessing”. His Word was provided as “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105 (KJV). Therefore, I believe that we are all smart enough to deduce how we will know when God has spoken or directed – get in the Word! Our next excuse will be, but Scripture was written as a means of telling us what happened back in Bible days. Please let me draw you back to what the Word says in Psalm 119:105. So here’s the scoop friend, read the Bible and listen to what God is saying to You through His Word. When you are doubting that anyone, and especially God, loves you and you read John 3:16, you will not walk away wondering if God loves you. When you wonder if He could possibly direct you in your workplace, or where to move to, and you read the story of Moses depending on his every move to be directed by God when leading over 3 million people through the wilderness without caravans of food and water, I believe that you will be comforted to know that God can easily handle the small thing(s) that you are asking of Him. Now I’m sure you are wondering how you will handle the idea of hearing God’s audible voice. Friend, as you invite Jesus into your heart as your personal Savior, He fills you with His Holy Spirit (the Comforter). When you pray to Jesus about your direction/decisions, and you feel a strong urge to go this way instead of that way, do you not think for a moment that the Holy Spirit that has filled your life has any part in that? Of course He does. Trust God, and lean not to your own understanding friend. In all your ways allow Him to be Lord and Master, for He cares for you! If you are not experiencing this kind of relationship with my Lord, then I encourage You to listen to His voice and surrender Your life completely to Him and allow Him to be Lord of your life. Please feel free to contact me if there is anything I might encourage you with, or if I can provide help or support in Your decision to accept Jesus as Lord for the very first time. Click on the link below to email me.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, You loved me enough that You sent the Comforter, Your Holy Spirit, to dwell within me and to guide, protect, comfort and lead me. Thank You for that kind of love. Please help me to always make a priority of getting into Your Word so that You may fill me and guide me. Please speak to the hearts of all those that may read this devotional, that they too might find comfort in knowing that You loved us enough to send Your own Son that we may have forgiveness of sin and sent Your Holy Spirit so that we may have ongoing strength and guidance throughout this time on earth. Thank You for that kind of love.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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Scripture: Philemon 1.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Philemon 1:4-7 (NLT)
⁴ I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,
⁵ because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.

⁶ And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
⁷ Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Verse 5 was especially encouraging to me. So often we hear all the gossip/bad/wrong doings about an individual, but I can’t remember the last time that I had someone approach me with the exciting news about how they may have found in a mutual friend such faith in the Lord and how they displayed such love for all of God’s people. It’s odd, but you just don’t hear good news like that being the theme of gossip when referring to someone else. I am a firm believer that for every bad thing we see in someone, there are probably 4 or 5 good things that we could say about them. I also believe that as we promote the good in folk, the more encouraged they will become and eventually they will be encouraged to seek God’s help to overcome the character flaws that they are probably not at all happy about. The other thing that I would encourage everyone with, is to look deep inside at self before talking about the weaknesses of a brother or sister. The Bible says that we should take the board out of our own eye before challenging a brother about the speck of dirt in their eye. Similarly, I believe that we should examine self for similar character flaws before running down a brother or sister about their problem areas. Love that brother into a right relationship with God and help him with his flaws that don’t meet with your approval. That will display real love on our behalf.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, I realize how hard it is to stay focused on the good in someone. Please give me strength today to do a better job of this and to concentrate on the good qualities they possess. I am reminded that You have never made any ‘junk’. Please help me to not make ‘junk’ out of the special people You have made and have blessed me with getting to know. I have so many flaws of my own that I should concentrate on, instead of focusing on the work that must come from You to fix the flaws in others. Please help me to display the love that was exampled by You in all that You did here on earth and all that You continue to do for us. Even in our unworthy condition You love us each and every day, please help us to do the same for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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Scripture: Isaiah 44-45.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Isaiah 45:21-23 (NLT)
²¹ Consult together, argue your case. Get together and decide what to say. Who made these things known so long ago? What idol ever told you they would happen? Was it not I, the LORD? For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior. There is none but me.
²² Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other.
²³ I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to me.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

It seems like a common theme between these two chapters is that there is only one God and that beside Him there is no other. This actually comes directly from the Ten Commandments, but yet the Israelites needed reminding of this again, because they had lost sight of their Creator and had fallen to idols or manmade images that they could see and touch. God reminded these people of His power and His love that He had shown them so much over the years and that there should be no question in their minds. How is it with you friend? In spite of all that you have witnessed and experienced that you can attribute to the hand of God, do you still doubt Him when things don’t appear to be going your way? Do you still look to idols for answers or satisfaction – things like alcohol to satisfy your nerves, or television to get your mind off the pressures of the day, or gossip about the other person hoping instead to promote self? Friend, there is only one true God, why not place your full strength in Him today and allow Him full control of Your life? Look to His commands and instructions to decide on how you should live and how you should handle yourself in everyday circumstances. There is so much proven about our God already, there is no need to doubt His power or nothing that would prohibit your faith and trust in Him. Let Him be God and especially let Him perform His mighty works in you.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, too often we depend on things of this world that may have created temporary relief to us or things that we see our peers depending on, because they do not have the faith to depend on You. Please help me to keep my eyes so fixed on You that the things of this world will grow dim and of little value to me. I am convinced that You are the God of this creation, for You brought it into existence. I am convinced that You love me with a love that is unexplainable and uncomprehendable because You sacrificed Your only Son on Calvary so that I may be blessed with the wonderful gift of eternal life with You in heaven. So being reminded of Your love for me and of the power that is Yours, please help me to never doubt or never look elsewhere for answers or love, but to always place my faith and trust in You. Please tender the hearts of those that I know and love that do not know You as Lord and Savior of their lives, so that they too may come to a full and complete understanding and acceptance of You today.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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Scripture: Titus 3.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Titus 3:4-7 (NLT)
⁴ But—”When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,
⁵ he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
⁶ He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
⁷ Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

In Paul’s letter to Titus he prompted him on important biblical points that would help him in his ministry. I believe that this book is included in our Bibles because of similar ministry opportunities in our churches today. This ties in with our Bible study yesterday where we were reminded that our righteousness is nothing when it comes to saving us from our sins, and that it is only through our acceptance of the wonderful grace of Jesus and His mercy that we might be saved. Friends, this is THE most important decision you could make during your lifetime, for in doing so we are reminded in verse 7 that we could be assured of our eternal destination. Where are you at today? Been thinking about the condition of your soul but in a dilemma about how to correct the situation? These verses carry a powerful message. Perhaps God is leading you to make this most important decision today, while you still have breath in your body. Please call or stop by and visit with your pastor or other spiritual leader, or email me so that we may pray with you and guide you into reconciling your life with the Creator of all life, Jesus Christ. Not only will I rejoice with you, but the Bible teaches that the angels in heaven will rejoice when one gives their heart to the Lord! Be the reason for a celebration today!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I believe that You are speaking to the hearts of many today, because You want more than anything to see lost people come to know You as their personal Savior. Please soften the hardened hearts today so that they may have a desire to ask You into their heart. May this be a day of celebration for all the angels in heaven!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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Scripture: Titus 2.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Titus 2:3-5 (NLT)
³ Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.
⁴ These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,
⁵ to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

In this second chapter of Titus it is loaded with instructions that Titus has been given to help him in his ministry. There are instruction that would help older men, young men, slaves, and of course women. In many of my devotionals I have highlighted teachings towards how men should be guided and subsequently live. Knowing that there are women who might also read this devotional, I didn’t want to bypass the opportunity to share with them what the Word teaches about how they should live. I saw a job description in the above verses for women:

• Live in a way that honors God – wow, that’s a loaded point, for God was perfect. Perhaps it is being suggested that women should strive to be perfect, as their Master is perfect. In other words, do your very best to be obedient to the laws of God and strive in every way to be an example of Him.
  
• Must not slander – lifting up another Christian lady is one thing, but often when one or more ladies get together they tend to talk about other ladies in a way that is opposite to lifting up. God made us all, so find ways to lift each other up instead of tearing down.
  
• Must not be heavy drinkers – often heavy drinkers are ones looking for something to cover up the stress or troubles that bear on their minds. God expects us to bring those troubles to Him. Cast every care upon Him, the Word declares.
  
• Teach others what is good – This can be through actual teaching of the Word, as in Sunday School, and in your everyday living.
  
• Train younger women to love their husbands and their children – Of course this means that you must already be loving your husband and children, in order for you to help others do the same. Yes, you can always share with the younger women what the Word of God says, but for you to really teach that with meaning and impact, it really should be something that is already evident in your own life.
  
• Live wisely – make wise decisions. Always seek God first before making important decisions.
  
• Be pure – Don’t be a fake. Be pure in what you do versus what you say.
  
• Work in your home – Your home is your castle. Always be proud to allow someone into your home, knowing that you have nothing to be ashamed of, because you are proud of your accomplishments in the home. Let it be a priority in your life.
  
• Be submissive to your husband – this may be a sore subject to some because you feel like you are an equal with your husband. Friend, I didn’t make this one up because I am a man and a husband, I am merely quoting God’s Word. This is what God teaches in His Word. Your husband has an even greater responsibility to God, so don’t feel like all the emphasis is on your responsibility.
  

The results of doing all this and being obedient to God’s commands, is that you will please God because of your obedience. In fact, the last part of verse 5 says that as you do this you will not bring shame to the Word of God. The positive way of saying that is that you will please God. Wouldn’t this be a different world in which we live, if we were obedient to the commands of God? I will be the first to say “yes, and Amen”!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Dear God, thank You for our ladies. Thank You for blessing us with companionship, with great mothers, with caring homemakers, with women who are determined to serve You and be obedient to You in all they do. We have a younger generation of girls coming up that need to see the example of their mothers, their teachers, their co-workers and their older female friends. Please bless the women in my life with wisdom from above, with power to overcome evil and worldly temptations, and with a deep yearning to live godly lives before their children and/or younger women that they are blessed to mentor. May these younger ones see Jesus very evident in the lives of those that are older than they are.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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Scripture: Titus 1.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Titus 1:15-16 (NLT)
¹⁵ Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
¹⁶ Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

It is so interesting to look at the way that people react to certain circumstances. Some of us can see the good in things, yet others will easily spy out the negative, or the possible evil in circumstances. I believe that what Paul is teaching here is that when our hearts are pure – right with God, then we will be looking for the right, or good, in circumstances. Often we see so much negative in a circumstance that it is almost impossible for us to see any good that God might intend for us in that circumstance. In fact, if we were to stop for a moment when we see nothing but negative, and reflect on the latter part of verse 15, we will quickly realize that our minds and consciences must be corrupt, or we are allowing unbelief to slip into our minds. There’s actually another verse (Romans 8:28) that reminds us that all things work together and for good, to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose. Let’s get our minds focused on Christ today, and be ready to see the good that He is working out in our lives and for His glory, even while the world is looking at the circumstance as the worst thing that could ever happen to us. To God be the glory, great things He has done!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, Your ways are not our ways, and many of our ways are definitely not Your ways. Please help me today to not allow my selfish ways to interfere in Your perfect will for my life and the good You are accomplishing in my life. Help me Lord to be a usable instrument for Your glory, and not a stumbling block.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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Scripture: Isaiah 33-35.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Isaiah 35:5-7 (NLT)
⁵ And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf.
⁶ The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.
⁷ The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I don’t know about you, but anytime I think about the end times, I think about the glory of seeing my Savior and the joy that will be ours that know Him and have accepted Him as Lord of our lives. These verses go a step further to talk about how different things will be in all aspects of life, as we know them today. Just imagine that:

• For those who are blind today, their sight will be restored;
  
• For those that are deaf today, it will be as if a plug has been removed from their ears, for they will hear perfectly;
  
• For those who are lame today, they will have such strength and mobility in their legs that they will leap like a deer;
  
• For those who are mute and cannot speak, they will sing for joy;
  
• For the wasteland that we leave undeveloped, springs will gush forward in the wilderness and streams will water the wasteland;
  
• For the desert and the parched grounds that we dread thinking about ever crossing today, this land will be blessed with springs of water that will satisfy its dry and thirsty land!
  

Friends, I would say that we have a lot to look forward to. A lot for which we can rejoice in today, for we are making decisions today that will determine if we will witness the joys mentioned above, for heaven is reserved for those that have accepted Jesus as Lord of their life. There is so much more mentioned in the book of Revelations about what we can expect in Heaven, but in reading these verses this morning, I was reminded that
a glorious day is coming when my Jesus I shall see! Are you making preparations today to ensure your future is secured? Please email me if I can help you feel more secure about your eternity.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Thank You Lord Jesus for securing my eternity. Thank You for making such a sacrifice for me and for prompting me to make the most important decision of my life, to accept You as my Lord and personal Savior. Now I can look forward to that day of which Isaiah hinted in this passage highlighted here today. Wow, what a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see! Please humble the hearts of those that I love and care for today Lord, so that they too might join me in walking through the pearly gates of heaven and seeing You face to face in all of Your glory.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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Scripture: 1 Timothy 4.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT)
⁶ As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.
⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
⁸ And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

In a world where divorce rates are just as high among Christian couples as it is among the unsaved, meaning that one or both of the parties can no longer commit to the promises made in their marriage vows. A world where churches are closing its doors as a result of Christians not getting along, or they no longer tithe to support the work of the church, or they can no longer commit to the work of the church because they are doing OK on their own without Jesus or His followers, or more important things have taken priority in their lives. Yes, with all this going on amongst Christians, is it any wonder why most of us cannot truly repeat the words of Paul in verse 7 honestly before the Lord? In our marriage vows we commit to be faithful to our spouse until parted by death. Surely our commitment to God when we ask for His forgiveness and salvation is no less. I believe that if at the end of each day, or at the end of each week, we could analyze our commitment and our faithfulness for the time spent with God and in His service, we would be a much better people. I could only imagine that our reconciliation with God each day or each week would be something like the prayer below…

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

I acknowledge dear God that, yes my goal was to be faithful to You in service today, or in my commitment to You this week, but Lord You know of my failures and I plead for Your forgiveness. Please forgive me for my selfishness, my failure to make You first in all that I did, for overextending myself and therefore crowding my time with You or in some cases bypassing my time with You. Please forgive me for my shortcomings in my faithfulness to You. Forgive me for allowing my commitment to You to take a lower priority in my life. Because You are number One in my life, I need You to be top priority in my life. Because of my failures today/this week, it is obvious that I need You to empower me with Your strength to overcome everything that tends to interfere with my commitment, for I truly want to be able to repeat verse 7 honestly before You the next time we meet – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. Thank You for loving me anyway, and thank You for the confidence I feel in knowing that You will help me with my commitment.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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