Scripture: Jeremiah 7.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Jeremiah 7:9-11 (NLT)
⁹ Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours,
¹⁰ and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, “We are safe!” – only to go right back to all those evils again?
¹¹ Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the LORD, have spoken!

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

As I read a few chapters in Jeremiah this morning I felt like I was always finding negative words to share from my studies. The bottom line though, is that God does not tolerate sin, and He is bold in telling us when we are wrong. The truth is that these verses sounds so much like what the church today is practicing. Too often we act like the devil all week, with little regard for the Savior that we claim as our Lord, then when we come to worship, we dress up and become such a different person. Why do you suppose we do that? Do we think for a moment that we are changing our image because we don’t want God to see us in rare form like we were all week? If for a moment we feel like that then we are obviously saying that God must be in a little box up on or near the pulpit and that He only gets to look down on us while we are in the four walls of our church sanctuary. Friend, I don’t know about you, but my God is a lot bigger than that. I can call on Him at any time and anywhere that I may be. If He is there in my time of need, then my bet is that He is there when we mess up also. We don’t need to pretend to be a different person at church time than we are at any other time of the week. In the last part of verse 11 we are reminded that surely God sees all that is going on in our lives, yes even the evil. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we may often feel like we become perfect like God is perfect. Unfortunately, as long as we remain here on planet earth, that will not be the case. However friend, what it does mean is that we become much more aware of our sin and can immediately speak with God, ask His forgiveness and ask for guidance to help us avoid sin and its ugly affect on our lives. The longer we serve Him, read His Word and seek His guidance, the more we can become like Him.

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

Lord Jesus, thank You for the reminder that my life is an open book to You. I apologize that it is not always as perfect as it should be, however I know that You are fully aware of my heart’s desire to follow Your example and therefore look more like You every day in the things that I say and the way that I may act. I pray that You may work such a miracle in my life that others may truly see and feel Your love in me and through the things that I may say or do, and that this would all be for Your ultimate glory. Please forgive me for those times that I have sinned and acted in a way that was not pleasing to You. Your guidance and ongoing leadership in my life is paramount in helping me to become more like You every day. Thank You for the assurance of knowing that You will be with me in all things and at all times.

 

**Words 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 4.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
¹⁴ So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.
¹⁵ This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
¹⁶ So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

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

Seldom will we ever go before an earthly person who is considered a failure in life with our concerns or looking to them for advice or help. You know, one who never listens to advice and therefore goes down a path of self-destruction and defeat. Flip this around and you might say that you would gladly listen to advice from a winner, or someone who has succeeded in life because of their wisdom and self-determination. We read from God’s Word so much about His love for us, so much about His sacrifice for us, so much about how He defeated Satan and in turn, so much about His successes in overcoming life’s challenges and obstacles, yet He did not sin. Friend, let me encourage you today to find confidence in this wonderful Friend of mine, my Master, Friend, Creator of the whole universe, Savior and Lord. He has a proven track record of how much He loves us. We can look around us and see how awesome He is by having created all the natural beauty that surrounds us. He overcame death and the grave, yet He humbled himself as a man so that we could know that He understands where we are coming from when we speak with Him in prayer. The Word says that we should therefore come before Him boldly to seek His face and His favor. Have you built that kind of relationship with Him that you can approach Him in confidence? Place your faith in Him today friend, for He cares for you!

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

Father God, You created me and also everything around me. You have seen the challenges that Your children face every day, and how it must sadden You to see us turn to everything else for relief from our troubles and struggles rather than to the One who created us, the One who loves us so much that He gave His only Son as a deliverer for us, a Redeemer of our sin. Thank you for reminding me today how important it is for me to turn to none other than You. Please help me to stay focused on Your love for me and therefore surrender my every concern at Your feet and, in anticipation, stand ready to celebrate all that You will still accomplish in and through me. Thank You for loving me this much. Please encourage my friends who may read this to follow You in a similar way.

 

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 59.

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Isaiah 59:1-3 (NLT)
¹ Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.
² It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.
³ Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your lips are full of lies, and your mouth spews corruption.

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

There comes a time in our lives when we feel like our prayers are hitting a brick wall, when they are falling on deaf ears, when we conclude that God must have turned His face on us. Friends I pray that you will see the value in these verses like I saw, when God made it very clear that it is not He that is too weak to save me, not Him that is too deaf to hear my cry for help, but it is my sin that has cut me off from His presence. I believe that we know that God hates sin, He will have no part of it. Yet we do it anyway and then come before Him in our times of desperation and expect Him to plow through the muck and mire and take care of us in our sinful condition. Friends, I am convinced that God loves us unconditionally, and that He made the greatest of sacrifices for us on Calvary, but I also believe that He provided His Word for our instruction, for our guidance, for our good, expecting us to be obedient to it and live in accordance with His instruction. When we don’t follow the commands given to us, God sees us with hands like murderers, fingers filthy with sin, lips filled with lies and mouths spewing nothing but corruption. These things make God turn away and not listen to us anymore, and this is a very bad position to be in, for with God on our side, ALL things are possible, and His love is unrestrictedly expressed to us, in us and through us.

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

Lord Jesus, when I stop and think of all that You have done for me, I feel so unworthy when I find myself neglecting or disobeying Your commands. I am distraught to think about You turning a deaf ear to me, or ignoring my cry for help. I pray that I will not obey out of selfishness for what You can and will do for me, but Lord I pray that my appreciation for all that You have done for me, and my love for You will go much deeper and that I will have an unending desire to please You and obey You in all that I do. Please fill me, and refill me as necessary, with so much of Your love and Your power, that I will be constantly reminded of my commitment to You and my ultimate desire to please You in all that I do.

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 57.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Isaiah 57:1-2 (NLT)
¹ Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.
² For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.

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

Because of our sadness in the passing of a loved one, we often tend to get really upset at God for taking our parent, or child or really best friend. However, at the end of verse 1 we are reminded that God actually loved that person so much that He decided to protect them from the evil to come. Wow, we are frequently reminded of God’s love in our everyday lives, but what an amazing thing to be reminded that He loves us enough that He is willing to snatch us away from undue evil or earthly punishment! There is additional scripture that says that He will not put more on us than we could bear, but have we ever stopped to think that this may include removing us from situations or dangers that may really test us beyond our ability to withstand? We must always remember that God’s ways are not our ways and that things done by God are well done. Think about this: He loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die a cruel death in order that we might have access to Him and His kingdom. How difficult would it be then to believe that He would evacuate us from this evil world before things really impact us and may even cause us to turn away from Him? Love does not always mean being flooded with gifts and good things that are visible to us. Sometimes love means removing us to avoid unrecognized dangers that may otherwise burden us. I serve a God of total love in every respect, would you like to receive Him as Your Lord and Savior today? Please contact me by using the email link below and let me introduce you to my Lord.

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

Father, Your Word is filled with nuggets that help me to get a better understanding of You and Your love for me. While this study today may seem morbid to some, I am encouraged that total love means that all quadrants of life would be affected by the results of that love. Thank You for loving me through every aspect of life, even those times when I may not be lovable at all. Please make Your love evident to those that may read this devotional today so that they may have a desire to know You personally and experience that awesome love that is so evident through all walks of life, to those that accept You and align themselves with Your will and way.

 

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 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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