Praise and Thanksgiving while Alive

Scripture: Psalm 115.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Psalm 115:16-18 (NLT)

16 The heavens belong to the LORD, but he has given the earth to all humanity.

17 The dead cannot sing praises to the LORD, for they have gone into the silence of the grave.

18
But we can praise the LORD both now and forever! Praise the LORD!

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

David has yet another reminder for us in this Psalm that no matter what comes our way, we have a lot for which we can Praise The Lord! I heard a story at one time of a man with just one arm being questioned about the reason he could find to praise the Lord, and his response was that He had one good arm and he was so thankful and needed to praise the Lord. I believe that so often we fall into the trap of needing or probably wanting to be lifted up ourselves that we act in self-pity hoping to gain that attention. Friends, we have a Savior that loves us unconditionally. We don’t need to act in any particular way to get His attention, for He watches over us day and night, and He cares for us like no other. Let’s learn to recognize that in the good health that we enjoy, yes even when we awake in pain on one side of our body. Stop and thank God for blessing you with a whole body, without any missing limbs and a whole side without pain. Let’s learn to praise Him for the beautiful weather that we enjoy, and please don’t complain about the rain, or the heat, or the cold, but know that our God is the maker of this universe and He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Look for the blessings in the rain when you look at the beautiful greenery or the tasty vegetables or quieted allergies because the dust and pollen has been settled. Look for the blessings in our jobs when we look at the challenges of families with unemployed moms and dads, or the hungry around us because there is no money for food. Friends, we must do a better job of praising our God for His many blessings on us, and stop whining about the things that we personally desire. Join me today in singing “Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings on Me

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

I am reminded so much of the Thanksgiving holiday as I wrote this devotional this morning, but Lord I am convinced this was your handiwork, to remind me that You just shower me with blessings every day, even on those darkest days when it looks like everything is going wrong and the world seems totally against me. No matter what comes my way, I am reminded that while I am alive I must give You the praise and thanksgiving for ALL things. As One who loves me, Lord please help me to not complain but accept Your gifts as presented by You. Please help me to concentrate on the gifts/blessings and not the distractions of those things that I wish were different. Just thinking about my eternal home is enough to silence the distractions of this world and fade out the distractions of a little pain or discomfort. Thinking about sitting at Your feet and singing praise and glory to You truly overshadows anything that may not go my way today. Thank You Lord for loving even me and taking such good care of even me. I love You Lord Jesus, and thank You from the bottom of my heart for Your blessings on me!

 

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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Christian Maturity

Scripture: Galatians 4.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Galatians 4:19-20 (NLT)

19 Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.

20 I wish I were with you right now so I could change my tone. But at this distance I don’t know how else to help you.

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

One of the primary reasons that most churches exist is to win the lost for Christ. We (individual Christians) are the church. So I will repeat that first sentence in a more personal way: One of the primary reasons that I exist is to win the lost for Christ – to encourage, help them make a decision to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and possibly walk them through the commitment of accepting Jesus. Too often today, I believe that we concentrate too much on winning the lost, but not enough on helping those babes in Christ to gain nourishment (from the Word of God), begin walking and talking (a process of actually following what the Word teaches, and not the desires of their old sinful selves), and actually being healthy, usable citizens (Christians who will teach and share what they have learned from God so that their lost friends/contacts would also come to accept Jesus). As parents, we tend to be concerned about our children, no matter what age they have attained. Paul was the same way, he was so concerned about the Galatian church that he likened it to going through similar labor pains as he went through in trying to win them to the Lord. Oh that we (as a church) and I (individually) might have the desire to not just win the lost, but to see them grow into mature Christians that could them win more lost friends to the Lord. How much richer the church will be, and how much stronger the Christian army of God would be. Wow, there will be no force too great for us to tackle!

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

Lord please touch my heart and make me to follow Your ways. Please help me to not only be directed to win the lost, but to encourage and do all I can to strengthen those already won into rich, healthy relationships with You, so that they may grow in Your Word and go on to regenerate more new babies in Christ. As in the case of Paul, I pray that You will burden me and other Christians to have a deep pain and desire to see new Christians mature into usable vessels, all for 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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How to Grow in Wisdom

Scripture: Psalm 111.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Psalm 111:7-10 (NLT)

7 All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy.

8 They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.

9 He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!

10
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!

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

This chapter, although short, really spoke to me. I was reminded of the many ways that God blesses me, and the many ways things that He provides for me that I take for granted. Too often I assume that much of life’s dependencies are automatically available to me each and every day. I am reminded that I am way too ungrateful, and that I could find many, many reasons to offer thanksgiving to my Master and my Lord. Additionally, I bolded the last verse as it is so very powerful in reminding us that true wisdom is gained by those who first respect and worship the Lord, and follow His will by obeying His commands. While I believe that higher education is very important, I believe that it is worthless without God. After all, what good is years of head knowledge without the wisdom to truly use that gained knowledge in wise and meaningful ways. Let’s not forget that God is the Master of this universe – both initially, at present and ongoing. When we exclude Him from our lives, our decisions and our actions, then we are implying that we could handle certain aspects of our lives without Him. Friend, please allow me to remind you that without Christ, all that we do is in vain. Please listen to the song, Without Him, and be reminded of this, and then let’s get back on track with placing our knowledge, and our actions in the hands of the only One that can truly help us to align these with His perfect will for this world, and the part in it in which we could participate in a meaningful way.

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

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge today that it is only through Your powerful hand that anything was created. I acknowledge that it is only through Your wisdom, Your knowledge, and under the guidance of Your perfect will that anything that I do might have an impact on this world. So Father, I pray that I may always seek Your will in all that I do and all that I say, so that it will have purpose and meaning to all those that may benefit from it. I ask that You might fill me with Your holy presence today, so that decisions that I make may be under Your direction and will. May You find me as a worthy vessel that You may use today to accomplish Your will in the lives of those that I come into contact with.

 

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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Rejoice, In Spite of Worldly Attacks!

Scripture: Psalm 109.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Psalm 109:21-29 (GW)

21 O LORD Almighty, deal with me out of the goodness of your name. Rescue me because of your mercy.

22 I am oppressed and needy. I can feel the pain in my heart.

23 I fade away like a lengthening shadow. I have been shaken off like a grasshopper.

24 My knees give way because I have been fasting. My body has become lean, without any fat.

25 I have become the victim of my enemies’ insults. They look at me and shake their heads.

26 Help me, O LORD my God. Save me because of your mercy.

27 Then they will know that this is your doing, that you, O LORD, are the one who saved me.

28 They may curse, but you will bless. Let those who attack me be ashamed, but let me rejoice.

29 Let those who accuse me wear disgrace as though it were clothing. Let them be wrapped in their shame as though it were a robe.

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

Some of us will remember an old song that has lyrics along these lines “why is everyone picking on me”! It sounds like David was feeling like this when he penned the words to this Psalm. What’s even more ‘eye opening’ is that we feel like this from time to time. In fact, I believe that many times we beat up on ourselves pretty bad, and put ourselves down. What caught my attention is that in spite of our feeling like the world is against us and that everyone is creating a battle against us, we can say like David did in verse 27, that God is the One who saved us, not any of them who are condemning us, or finding fault with us, or ridiculing us, but God looked down on sinful man and yet loved us so much that He allowed His one and only son, Jesus, to die on Calvary so that we may enjoy life eternally with Him in heaven. So friends, if God loved us so much that He did all this for us, let us be reassured that His love only grows in us and matures in us, and is unaffected by the false accusations that may come against us by this world that is led by, inspired by, and encouraged by, the Evil One. As I bolded in verse 28, let those of us that truly love the Lord therefore rejoice in Him and allow Him to deal with those that are messing with His children. Let’s keep our eyes focused on the One who loves us, and not on the world that despises us and are jealous of our relationship with the Master. We have every reason to rejoice friend! As a child of the King – the King of all kings, what else could we possibly want or ask for? I would encourage anyone reading this devotional that may not have this assurance or feel loved in the ways expressed, that you talk with the Master, my Lord, my Savior and my King, and consider surrendering your life over to Him today. He loves you and wants to be your protector, friend and everlasting Savior, as He was for David and as He is for me. Please contact me if I could help or encourage you in any way.

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

Lord Jesus, what a reminder through this passage today! You are in control of everything around me, including those that may persecute me or plot evil against me. Thank You for giving me this assurance so that I may go on praising You and lifting up Your name, even when all this might be going on. Please encourage those that are really troubled by all this type of turmoil today. Please speak to the hearts of those that may not have given You control of their lives and are now trying to cope with all of this on their own, for these things are temporary compare to the time that we will spend with You. Help them to surrender their hearts over to You so that they may look at the big picture and the long term blessings of eternity in heaven with You. Thank You for loving me even in, and helping me through, my failures.

 

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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No Longer I, But Christ Who Lives in Me!

Scripture: Galatians 2.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Galatians 2:20-21 (NLT)

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

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

In this chapter of Galatians, Paul shares something that he had just witnessed with Peter, his fellow worker, where he was trying to be a witness to the Galatians yet trying to get them to follow His old Jewish traditions. I believe that this is something we have to be so careful with in the church. While I realize that our efforts to serve Jesus and live for Him will mean using our sinful selves, yet I am convinced that everything we do as a body must be so filled with God’s love and His desires for a righteous church. We must model His example in such a way that non-Christians will want to accept Jesus and follow Him, because of us. Much too often we allow our old worldly actions in and we look for ways to bless others so that praise may come to us personally. When we example Paul, and our Master, we will want to do those things that bring praise to God, for it is He who lives in us, it is He who gives us the strength and ability to help others, it is He who died on Calvary that we might have life eternal and therefore minister to others about that life. Let us therefore be transparent in our ministry so that all the praise may go straight up to heaven, to our Creator and Savior of this world. It is then Lord Jesus, that we can truly release any sense of self involvement and truly let our praises be lifted to You in singing, To God Be the Glory, Great Things You have Done, and it is with that acknowledgment that we will see others come to know You as their Lord and Savior. Please grant this in my life Lord Jesus, and touch the lives of others that may read this devotional, so that our work here on earth will simply be a conduit through which Your will might be accomplished. Thank You Lord Jesus for using humble vessels such as us through which Your mighty works may be accomplished!

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

I am tempted to question why You would use servants, earthly vessels, such as myself and other Christians, to accomplish Your mighty works. But Lord, I would ask afresh this day that You cleanse me of all unworthiness, all sin, all selfish desires except that desire to serve You as my soon coming King. Then, through this cleansed and holy vessel I would humbly ask that You use me in ways that may bring You honor and glory, and in ministering to the needs of the unsaved, that others may be encouraged to accept You as Lord and personal Savior. I believe that the time of Your return is near when You will call all those that remain on this earth to meet You in the air. I praise You today for having spoken to my sinful heart, convincing me of my sin, and giving me the boldness to seek after, and accept You as my Lord and personal Savior. Use me Lord so that others may be similarly affected and consequently accept You as their personal Savior. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” May that be evident in my life, dear 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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Live a Blameless Life

Scripture: Psalm 101.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Psalm 101:2-6 (NLT)

2 I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.

3 I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.

4 I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.

5 I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride.

6 I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.

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

As a whole I believe that most of us will want to live our lives in such a way that no one could point a finger at us and accuse us of wrong doing. As a Christian I believe that we will want to live our lives in such a way neither that God, nor others could point their fingers at us in disgust or shame for things we have said, or the way that we have acted. It seems like in the Psalms David often voiced his opinion of how he felt deep down inside and, in order for this to be part of the Word of God to Christians today, I believe that God had a strong influence on what David shared in the Word of God, so that it might penetrate our lives and help us to live true and upright before our God today. Therefore, I believe that I am encouraged by God to live a blameless life, and that I should constantly ask for God’s help in achieving that. I thought that it was interesting that David would say that he will live this blameless life in his own home. Because no one knows us better than those who live with us, I believe that this indicates that if I could live this type of a life before those who really know me, then the world will obviously see a blameless life. In this chapter we learn that we can lead blameless lives if we avoid:

  1. Looking at wickedness (“I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar,”
    101:3),
  2. Evil thoughts (“perverse ideas,”
    101:4),
  3. Slander (101:5), and
  4. Pride (101:5).

While avoiding these wrongs, we must also let God’s Word show us the standards by which to live. And, as David said, he would “search for faithful people” to be his companions. He would choose as models and as friends those who were godly and truthful. Our friends and associates can have a profound influence on us. Make sure to choose as your closest companions those who are faithful to God and his Word.

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

Father, I believe that it would please You to see me, and other followers of Yours, live blameless lives before our family and friends, and truly live a life exampled by You and taught to us in Your Word. Lord, my desire is to be the man/witness that You expect, and who will not place a stumbling block in the path of anyone seeking after You or being sought after by You. You have spoken through David this morning and showed me ways to live this type of life before You. Please give me wisdom to deal with the challenges of this life that may come my way today that might otherwise take me off track from Your ideals. Please give me strength, wisdom and determination to live a blameless life before You, oh God. It’s You I live for, dear God, may that be reflected in the blameless life that I live, is my sincere prayer 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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God’s Grace is Sufficient

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

2 Corinthians 12:6-9 (NLT)

6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,

7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.

9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

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

In God’s Word, not only have we been blessed with amazing facts about God, and His son Jesus, but there are excellent examples of followers of Jesus that catches our attention and guides us to a way of life that is pleasing to God. There is much to say about Paul and his missionary journeys and the churches that he started and the multitudes that he ministered to, but in this passage today we look at characteristics of the man that would benefit us to follow his example as we endeavor to become a more Godly person. The humility of this man is unbelievable. God had blessed him in so many ways that he would have been able to boast an awful lot, however God also placed something very challenging in his life to help deter him from boasting. This bothered Paul a lot, because he didn’t want to be rejected or scorned by the folk he was trying to minister to (Galatians 4:13-15), so he prayed on multiple occasions for God to cleanse/heal him. Each time Paul was reminded that something much more important was ever so prevalent in his life, and that was God’s wonderful grace (His unmerited favor), and it was really all that he needed. Furthermore, Paul was reminded that God’s grace would actually be more powerful and effective in his life through his weakness and downtime. This therefore gave Paul reason to brag about and boast about his weakness so that God might receive honor and glory from those that Paul spoke with. Let’s bring this down to an example in our day and time. Let’s imagine that one of us had been blessed to start many churches in various parts of the country, or even the word, and we saw many people won to Christ as a result of our preaching, or church starts. Now as we return to our home church to brag about all that God did through us, we are diagnosed with cancer and must undergo months of treatment. When we eventually make it to our home church, we find very little to say about the church starts and the salvation of those along the way, but rather how God helps us to make it from day to day as we deal with the debilitating decease of cancer, and how we are unsure from day to day if we will make it. I believe that we would be extremely disappointed, but I also believe that God could use that witness to win even more souls than us bragging about the work performed and the souls won, as it may have looked more like something we personally accomplished. Bottom line is that we should never expect to see credit here on this earth for what we do in Jesus name and for His sake, for it is God that receives that glory. Secondly, we have only today to live for and ask for God’s continued grace. Nothing of what we did in the past assures us of a good or better day today. Let’s place our faith and trust in God for what we need today.

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

Dear God, this is such an awesome reminder about Your wonderful grace. So often we tend to pray to You with such great expectation because of the faithfulness of the one we are praying for, or because of what they have accomplished, or because of all those being reached for You through their ministry. I am reminded that all of these things are credited to You, and not to the individual we are praying for. I need Your grace each and every day. I need Your healing touch afresh today. I need a closer walk with You today than any day in my past, because I need to realize that Your grace is all sufficient today. Please make Yourself known to me today and work through me so that others may be blessed and healed in Your name. You are such an awesome God, and I count it a privilege to be able to call on You each day as my Savior.

 

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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Unfailing Love

Scripture: Psalm 100.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Psalm 100:3-5 (NLT)

3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

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

I believe that too often we are ready to throw in the towel and give up on God because we just don’t feel like He is doing the job we expect. Now, I’m sure you can tell that something is wrong with that statement, but unfortunately that’s the way we act sometimes. I bolded a section of the verses above, because I was reminded that God’s love for me is unfailing – never changes; always there for me; always has my best interest at heart; will sacrifice His very best for me – His only Son. So why then do I feel like I’m so alone at times; like I struggle through life at times; like no one cares at times? Friends, no I’m not losing it. If you would be honest with yourself, we have all felt this way at times, and if I am correct I believe that Satan will lead us to feeling this way again, because that’s his job – to distract us (weakened Christians) from our walk with Christ and make us think that God doesn’t care about us. Remember, Satan can only make his way in, if we drop our guard and weaken our relationship with God enough that Satan could wiggle his way in. David was right in reminding us that God’s love is unfailing and will continue forever. So anytime that I start to feel like I mentioned above, I must quickly work on my relationship with God because I have stepped aside from Him. He’s the constant, I’m the variable! When I’m constant in prayer, and I’m constant in the Word, that fills me with the love of Jesus and there is no room for Satan.

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

Father, thank You for reminding me of Your unfailing love and Your lasting faithfulness. Please continue to ‘yank my chain’ anytime I am tempted to stray away and let my guard down. It is so obvious that Your love is unchanging, please help me to stay so in tuned with You, and be so filled with Your Word that I will not only be aware of the dangers that await a weakened vessel, but rather gloat in the joy of a Savior that loves me so. You truly are my Rock on which I stand and depend. Thank You Jesus for loving even me!

 

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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Help with Undivided Devotion

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

2 Corinthians 11:1-4 (NLT)

1 I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me.

2
For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.

3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.

4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

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

I bolded a portion of the verses above that really stood out to me as I studied this chapter this morning, for I saw Paul concerned about the church and its people, just as I am concerned about my loved ones. What really spoke to me about this though, is that if I was as concerned about those that come through the doors of the church I attend, and perhaps more concerned about the folk that don’t come back, then I believe that folk will know that they have fellow church members/Christians that actually care about their spiritual condition and will hold them accountable for their commitment to God, or lack thereof. I know that may sound confusing to some that may read this devotional, but friends, I am convinced that the gifts that God blesses us with when He sends visitors through our church doors are really gifts from God, for who are we to deserve God adding another to our number? Who are we that God would count us worthy to help that friend grow in the Lord? Who are we that God would use us to example His love to that stranger/visitor? Who are we that God would allow us to see the miracle of ‘new birth’ as the one who comes, accepts Jesus as Lord? We are nothing without Christ, and it is only by His grace that we were saved and only by His grace and mercy that He would trust us with another soul that needs Him in their life. So it is with this acknowledgment that I feel like I should be more like Paul and have a yearning to see His church presented pure and holy to Christ, to see that none would walk away from their commitment to Him without us giving 110% towards helping them overcome the obstacles that Satan may send their way.

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

Father, I pray that I might be more like Paul in fearing that someone You may have placed in my path might become divided in their devotion to You or corrupted in the faith. I pray that You would make me sensitive to that and that You would give me the wisdom on how to encourage that brother or sister so that they might overcome the vile of the devil and realign themselves with You. Satan is so crude and cunning and he is getting to Your followers in ways unimaginable. May You give me strength today to keep my eyes focused on You, and I ask that You please give me wisdom to recognize in a friend anything that may be contrary to a strong, thriving relationship with You, and then give me boldness and wisdom to help them overcome and renew their strength in, and relationship with You.

 

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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God our Protector

Scripture: Psalm 91.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Psalm 91:9-12 (HCSB)

9 Because you have made the LORD—my refuge, the Most High—your dwelling place,

10 no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent.

11 For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.

12 They will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

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

This Psalm reminds me that although some may place their faith in bank accounts and riches, some in government or military protection, some in parents or those in supervisory positions over them, but for those of us that place our faith and trust in Jesus, we can be assured that: all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan. (Romans 8:28). Friends we can reflect on each day and see how awesome God has been in our lives. Many times all we need to do is look beyond the little hiccups/temptations and trials, and concentrate on the mighty works of God, to realize how wonderful it is that we are so important in His eyes that He would watch over us, provide for us and protect us. In fact, the Psalmist said that our God would give orders to His angels on how to best protect us, even to the extent that we would not bump our toes on a stone. Wow, this is the God of our universe, yet He loves even me to the degree that He would watch over me in such detail and love! Father, I adore You today, and thank You for being my Savior and Lord. How could I ever say “thank You” sufficiently?


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

Lord Jesus, You gave up Your life so that I may live eternally with You in Heaven. You provide life itself in abundant ways each day. You display love to me in these ways and numerous other ways. Thank You for reminding me of the ways that You protect me as well. Wow, What A Mighty God I serve! Thank You Lord for loving me in so many ways! May this be a day that I may share my faith with others, that I show Christian love to others, that I reflect the Lord that saved me from a life destined for Hell. Thank You for providing for me 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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