I Will Always Remember My Children

On 2021-04-092021-04-09 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Remember, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2021-04-09
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Exodus 28:9-12; 29
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: ^9-12Put two onyx stones in gold settings, then attach one to each of the shoulder straps. On one of these stones engrave the names of Israel’s first six sons in the order of their birth. And do the same with his remaining six sons on the other stone. In this way Aaron will always carry the names of the tribes of Israel when he enters the holy place, and I will never forget my people.
²⁹In this way Aaron will have the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on his heart each time he enters the holy place, and I will never forget my people.

OBSERVATION: No doubt you are much like me where there are times that I just need reminding that God is still there, watching out for me and loving me unconditionally. Today as I read this Scripture I was totally reminded of the love of our awesome God. He not only wanted to make sure that Aaron, the priest, always remembered his people each time he went before God, but God wanted to know that He was blessing His people at every opportunity. As we meditate, let’s remember that God feels the same way about us!

APPLICATION: I am reminded that way too often we get too caught up in our selfish wants and seek after all that we feel God should bless us with, rather than praying diligently for God’s workers, the unsaved and for our opportunities to be of service to the people of God. It becomes very evident that the Israelites were very much the apple of God’s eye, and they were extremely special to Him, even as a growing nation. But notice that God wanted this to become an important part of Aaron’s routine also, for God didn’t need reminding. So what would you think is important to God in your family, in your church, in your community, in your country or even in the world? Don’t you think that He would want that foremost in your minds and in your prayers as you come before Him? In other words, God’s priority should be our priority. What God loves and cares about should be the things that we get our attention also. Many of us wear a symbol of an empty cross on our jewelry as a reminder that our Savior who once hung on a cross, no longer hangs there, but He has risen and lives forevermore enthroned next to the Father. Aaron wore a vest and a breastplate with jewels that had the names of the 12 tribes of Israel on them, so that each time he went into the Holy Place, those names went with him, as a reminder before God. I am ashamed that no matter how many people I tell that I will pray for them, that promise hardly ever go further than the instant that I tell them and pray for them. However, if I take time to add them to my ongoing prayer list, I remember them each time I review my list. I pray that God will touch our hearts today and cause us to seek ways to remember in prayer all those that we promised we would pray for, and all those that God cares intimately about. I believe its time for God’s people to become serious about the people God seriously loves and cares about, and also those who are near to our heart. Perhaps then we might see God’s hand move like never before in the areas that God cares about.

PRAYER: I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me. I am so glad that Jesus loves, me, Jesus loves even me! Thank You Lord Jesus for loving even me! However, I have been reminded today that I must learn to love those people that You love also, and I must remember them in prayer as often as I bow my head. This life is not all about me, so Lord I need lots of help focusing on the things that matter most to You. Please direct my thoughts and my innermost desires, so that I may please You in all aspects of my life. Touch the heart of each reader today. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit and draw them unto yourself, so that they may know and experience Your heart’s desire for them. Be glorified in us today oh Lord. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

HELP, Lord, HELP!

On 2021-04-072021-04-07 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Help, Needs, Our Help comes from God, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2021-04-07
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Psalm 22:19
TRANSLATION: New English Translation (NET)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁹But you, O Lord, do not remain far away.
You are my source of strength. Hurry and help me!

OBSERVATION: It is somewhat unfortunate that much of our time in communion with God is spent asking for His help in some form or fashion. After all, an onlooker might think that there would not be enough hours in a day to thank God and praise Him for His goodness. In fact many of us may feel like the Psalms consist mostly of songs of praise and thanksgiving, but they’re not. As we meditate on the Word today, let us remember that God wants to hear not only our heart of praise, but our needs and our wants also.

APPLICATION: I’ve heard where kids call on their mom so much that mothers have sometimes asked in response ‘child, don’t you know any other name?’. Looking in from the outside, this sounds funny, but a child learns that they could ask mom for anything, as she has all the answers, and could meet their needs on demand (Ha)! But doesn’t that childlike concept continue into adulthood? Don’t we often feel like God is something like mom also? Without hesitancy and without doubt, we could easily say to those around us that our God is all-powerful; all-knowing; Creator of the entire world; Healer of the sick; and Savior of the world. But in spite of being His children, we are still needy and want God close by, every hour of every day. I believe this may have been how David felt. You see, David was going through a situation where his enemies were down to dividing up his clothes, like the soldiers did to Jesus while He hung on the cross. It seemed like death was certain, and approaching very quickly. Although David had been extremely strong during his prime and very independent in his thinking and planning, yet he was at a stage of desperation where He felt like only God could help him escape and go on. You know, as we look at this and consider how David may have felt, how God must have felt, and how we feel today, I believe we could see where this plea of David’s was quite natural, and kind of what God expects. You see, David had grown up knowing that God was with him, directing his path, and protecting Him as necessary – much like how the child of God feels today. However, I believe that God placed David in a position, as He does with us today, where we realize that our God is still enthroned and wants us to recognize Him as Lord and Master over everything. To do this, God must sometimes show us that our power is limited without Him, and that we must still look to Him as our Guide, Protecter, Deliverer, Healer and Savior. Imagine how soon we forget when we are not reminded of someone? Imagine how cocky we would get if we thought that the whole world had no boundaries for us, for we had it all under control? My friends, we still serve an awesome God, and while He has blessed us with an awful lot, yet He is still God. Like David, we still need Him every day, so although we have become independent of our parents, yet we are always at the mercy and grace of our Lord. Let Him be God, for we are not, nor will we ever become God. But He is as near as the mention of His name. Thank Him for His unlimited blessings, and seek Him for all your daily needs. One day soon, we will bow before Him in limitless praise for all eternity!

PRAYER: Although the world may assume that we are liberated and no longer need to depend on Jesus, they could not be further from the truth. Thank You for saving our soul, and thank You for giving us power to overcome obstacles each day that may otherwise pull us away from the cross and lead us down a road of sin and destruction. Like David, we cry out to You oh Lord, knowing that only through Your power and Your immeasurable grace that we are forgiven of our sins and we stand ready for Your return, so that we could soon be worshipping You and the Father in Heaven. We place ourselves at Your feet and pray that You might continue to protect, heal, love and encourage us while here on earth. Please make us acceptable in Your sight, and worthy of being Your witness here on earth, so that You many be glorified on earth by all men, even as You are in heaven. AMEN!

The Key To Life!

On 2021-04-062021-04-06 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2021-04-06
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Proverbs 4:10-13
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁰My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.
¹¹I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.
¹²When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.
¹³Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.

OBSERVATION: We all have life, but we all strive daily for more happiness, more success, better health, to always do what is right, etc, etc. God tells us in today’s Scripture that all this is found in His Book of Instructions. So let me encourage you as you begin today, and every day, look to His Book for the key to right living, and then be consciously aware of how He guides and directs you. Know why this is important, by staying with me for my full devotional today.

APPLICATION: In my home as a child, mom and dad taught me the right way to live, based on all they had learned in their upbringing and based on the Word of God. For these were things that would make my life better in our home, and more respected in our community. As I entered school, I was taught everything about respect for my teacher and other students and good habits to enhance my learning, so that I would get the most from my education and prepare for a better life ahead. As I entered the workforce, I was taught the principles my boss wanted to achieve and therefore expected from his employees. I was taught how to also please our customers and better earn their respect. This helped me achieve a 47-year successful career in life. As a member, and also as a leader in my local church, I learned with others what God demands of us as His followers, so that we might be used as His instruments in our community to help lead the lost to Him. God brings to my attention each day various truths that God provided in His Word to lead me towards a better life – a life destined for the glories of Heaven some day soon. In today’s Scripture you and I are taught that God’s instructions, as recorded in the Bible for our benefit, are really the key to life. Because God is eternal, I believe that God intended this word ‘life’ to be life eternally with Him, for it is the only way of seeing life that is true and meaningful. I believe that everyone is taught the basics of Christian life, for our laws have adopted some of these laws into it’s system of right and wrong. However, there are many, many principles of God that never make it into the world’s system of laws, because they don’t please everyone and their liberal, worldly way of thinking and living. It is therefore incumbent upon each of us to read God’s Word for ourselves, as God will speak to us individually about what He wants to draw to our attention. If we depend on God, listen to Him as we read His Word, and follow in obedience to what God tells us, then we will have the keys to life, and life more abundantly under the lordship of Jesus Christ when we accept Him as Lord. Friends, the Bible is a best seller because of it’s ultimate power. There are so many fictional novels we can read to make us feel good, feel more loved, or encouraged to love others more. But the Bible is God’s holy word to each of us. Within It’s pages God has words of encouragement, words of wisdom, words of power, words of love and words of direction to lead us in the path of righteousness. Let me encourage you to read the Word of God, meditate on what God is saying to you and follow His will in total obedience, for His name’s sake. It will lead you to life, and life more abundantly! No other book has that kind of assurance and promise.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for Your Word – Your Word of truth and perfect direction for our lives. You asked that we strive to be more like You each and every day, and we are thankful that You have provided the Book that will train us towards that end. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that makes those words ‘pop’ off the page so that even in our simple minds we could be drawn to Your awesome word for us. Thank You for those who share Your Word with us, but oh God, I thank You so much for the sincerity of every word that You embed in our minds that we specifically need to be more like You. The words of life are so important in helping us live life to its fullest as Your children who should be encouraging others towards heaven. Please fill us with your Word, Your power, Your wisdom and Your perfect direction for our lives, so that others may see Jesus in His fullness, even through those that we come into contact with each day. Be honored and praised today because of Your impact on us. For I ask these things believing and expecting today! AMEN!

With A Heart For Jesus

On 2021-04-042021-04-04 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Eternal Life, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Sunday, 2021-04-04
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 25:45-46
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁴⁵I tell you this: whenever you saw a brother hungry or cold, when you saw a sister weak and without friends, when you saw the least of these and ignored their suffering, so you ignored Me.
⁴⁶So these, the goats, will go off to everlasting punishment. But the beloved, the sheep (the righteous), will go into everlasting life.

OBSERVATION: As you ponder the above Scripture today, perhaps you will be forced to think of the attributes one might possess to be helpful to, and considerate of, those less fortunate than ourselves. Hopefully you will quickly conclude that not everyone that gives money, or donates food, or give in any other material way is doing that because of their love for God. When our hearts are molded by God and led by His Holy Spirit, we do things out of love and compassion. Remember, Jesus knows our ‘heart’!

APPLICATION: Not every man who shows lust after a woman, nor every woman that gives in to a man, are necessarily married. So it is with those who give to the needy. Some do it for public recognition; some for savings on their tax bill; while some will give of material goods out of excess. Are they a child of the King because they do this? God is their judge and He will deal with that one-on-one with them. In the Bible we are told about a woman who gave of her last few pennies. Jesus said that she had given more than the richest man ever gave, because she had a heart filled with the love and compassion of God. Jesus recognized His children, and the manner and heart in which they gave. He called them His beloved and considered them as His sheep. He shared with His disciples that these individuals will go on into everlasting life, for they saw like Him and acted just as He would have. From deep inside their hearts, they saw needs, and they did something about that. Imagine as a father, you saw your kids responding to needs – just as you had hoped that they were watching and learning from your actions in life? Wouldn’t you heart swell with pride and cause you to praise the Father above? Jesus was not afraid to also tell the naked truth about pride, arrogance and selfishness to those who act like they are the reason for their success in life while here on earth. Jesus was probably hurt as He witnessed them ignore the needs, even though they had plenty to share. He could tell that they not only ignored Him and His unconditional love for them, but they had none to share with those in desperate need of their help. Jesus had something to give these folk as well, but it was not a heavenly reward, but instead it was eternal punishment by the evil one. Friends, although I am convinced that our Lord is generous in blessing His children today, let me be quick to say that I believe Jesus still hates sin, the mean hearted, and those who have ignored what He sacrificed on Calvary. In fact, so much so that Jesus said in verse 46 that they will go off the everlasting punishment. Many of us will say after a very difficult day here on earth, that we had a day from Hell, but I don’t believe that we have heard or seen anything yet that compares to what Satan has in store for those who have given him full reign of their lives. I know, you have not committed ‘I do’ to Satan. But my dear friends, the Word of God says that unless you surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, then you have given full authority to Satan, because you are headed for a sinner’s domain – Hell. There is no such thing as Satan’s domain, God’s domain and your domain. You either make a firm commitment to accept and follow Jesus, or you continue on your path to Hell. There’s no better time than this Easter Sunday for you to surrender to our Risen Lord! Do it today precious one, and prepare for His gift of eternal life.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord that we are able to celebrate our Risen Savior today! Thank You for Your Word, and the reminder given to us in the Scripture today. Because I know that You are alive, and especially alive in my heart, I am looking forward to being included among the righteous that will go on into everlasting life in glory, with You and the Father. But Lord, I hurt for so many who have yet to accept You as Lord, including many of my family and friends. Please melt the hearts of my readers today, and make Your gift very visible in their eyes. Lord I am so anxious to be at Your feet in Heaven one day, and I want so bad to have all of my family and friends kneeling next to me as we celebrate our Risen Lord. Use me Lord as an instrument of Your grace to encourage the lost. and those who are discouraged, so that they may seek Your face. Oh that You may be glorified today because of the number of people who will accept Your Gift – Your precious Gift – Jesus. AMEN!

Wasted Opportunities

On 2021-04-032021-04-03 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Witness, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2021-04-03
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 25:23; 26; 30
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ²³“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
²⁶“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant!…..
³⁰Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

OBSERVATION: God has gifted us in so many wonderful ways! Yes, even those who feel like they have no talent to offer for His glory, or perhaps no money to give towards His ministries, or no encouragement to pass along to another hurting soul. But have you stopped to consider that God may have given you precisely what you need for the circumstances in which you will find yourself? Let’s consider the Word today and remind ourselves of what we are doing with what we have been gifted with. Consider your gifts as an investment from God, use them diligently to bring great returns for Him and His kingdom!

APPLICATION: After reading the theme of today’s devotional, what did your mind go on? Was it a missed opportunity at work? Or perhaps something at church? Or even something with one of your kids, or your spouse? Hopefully as you read the Scripture, you smiled with pride as you recalled hearing similar words as those used by Jesus in verse 23. No doubt there would have been a gut-wrenching feeling if you ever heard similar words as those used by Jesus in verse 26. No matter what your first thoughts were, I am hoping that the Word of God will remind us today that God has showered many gifts upon His children, and I believe that He wants to see us all reach a stage in life where He might encourage us with the same words that we read in verse 23. For you see, we are His creation, and He never created ’junk’. We are made in His likeness, and He is totally perfect in every way. God has a place already prepared for us in Heaven, so I believe that He would dread ever having to tell us (His created ones made just like Himself) ‘go away, for you have been a useless servant’. So what then shall our role be in properly responding to all that God has given us? I believe we should start with being very careful with the excuses we come up with. Notice that the last servant had many excuses as to why he didn’t properly invest the money/talent given to him, and notice in verses 24 and 25 that all of the excuses pertained to someone else – the master. I have served on Pastor Search Committees, as well as Nominating Committees. In each case our teams have totally bathed the volunteer or pastoral needs of the church in many moments of prayer, so when we began asking individuals, we felt like God was lead us to that individual to fill a particular position. While some were anxious to use their talents, many found excuse after excuse why they couldn’t, especially in the area of ability. Friends I have learned over the years that God is desperately looking for our availability, so that He might work miraculously through us to fulfill the needs of His ministry. The power of the almighty working through us is way more valuable to the kingdom than anything we could do of our own wisdom or learning from mankind. For only God can touch hearts and change lives from the hold of Satan, to one that is lead by the Holy Spirit. We must simply be willing to see God, through His transforming power, change individuals For His glory. I believe that my responsibility today is to encourage you to listen closely to the Master. He has gifted you to do things that are not suited for me, and He is waiting for you to tell Him when you are ready to proceed with the work He has prepared for you. Each of us have a choice, and most of us are tempted by the evil one to always look at the work of the Lord negatively. Please don’t let Satan win you over. You have a God who loves you and who wants to see you rejoice in His accomplishments because of our usefulness here on earth.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord Jesus for Your mercies on me! Thank You Father that one of your obedient servants knelt by my side at an altar and showed me the way to heaven. There are many that I may come into contact with today that may have that same need. Please help me to never develop excuses for anything You might direct of me, for You can do ALL things. Thank You for investing in me the talents and desire to serve others with a view of accepting You as their Savior. May I always give in to Your direction and allow Your words to be delivered through my lips, so that Your personalized message for Your children will be accurately delivered in the spirit that You desire. Lord, please also anoint my readers so that these words that I share from You might bring forth fruit for the kingdom. For it’s in Your name alone that I ask these things. AMEN!

Our God of Mercy

On 2021-04-022021-04-02 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Mercy, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2021-04-02
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Exodus 22:22-27
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ²²“You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. ²³If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. ²⁴My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless.
²⁵“If you lend money to any of my people who are in need, do not charge interest as a money lender would. ²⁶If you take your neighbor’s cloak as security for a loan, you must return it before sunset. ²⁷This coat may be the only blanket your neighbor has. How can a person sleep without it? If you do not return it and your neighbor cries out to me for help, then I will hear, for I am merciful.

OBSERVATION: Although the exact words are not evident, God indicates in verse 23 that He is merciful towards widows and orphans, just as he indicated in verse 27 about the poor. I wonder how conscious we are about being merciful, like our Father is? I wonder how careful we are about not coming under the wrath of God when dealing with widows, orphans and the poor? Perhaps today is a good day to consider how we are doing in following His example to be merciful. Allow the Word of God to have it’s way in your life today.

APPLICATION: All throughout the Bible we could find where God thought very tenderly and mercifully towards those who struggled to take care of themselves. Brothers were told to marry the wives left behind by their deceased brother. Deacons were told to lookout for, and take good care of, widows and orphans. But I was totally amazed at the reminder in today’s Scripture again. For God warned the Israelites that if they took advantage of these individuals and, as a consequence, they came to Him about their hurt and their need, He would kill the guilty men so that their wives and children would then become widows and orphans. Men, I don’t know about you, but even though I would fear bringing on hurt or death to myself, the last thing in the world I would want to know, is that my wife and child are being left in want after my passing. But none-the-less, Jesus warned that He would be that upset if He saw His weaker children being abused. So how would this be applied to our current day situations? In your line of business, do you offer incentives or discounts to these individuals, or do you see them as a higher risk, seeing that they are without a husband/father, so you charge them more? This might be for goods, or in the case of interest on loans or credit cards, since this was dealt with next. Do you offer them a ride back home after visiting your place of business, or are you way too busy attending to the rich and giving them every possible incentive to give you more business? Friends, I believe that God has allowed us to remain on earth so that we may represent Him well. Today we have been taught a few things that really upsets the Father. What do you suppose you and I could do to stay in the good graces of our merciful God, as it pertains to widows, orphans and the poor? Sure many who read this devotion today may not be considered rich, but in the eyes of the poor and destitute, they see us as ‘rich’. Cutting our meal size in half will not only help our health, but we might then be able to share a portion with one who may not have a solid, healthy meal. With a few extra dollars on hand, instead of using that for an extra vacation, or another new suit, try helping the widow whose electric power is close to being terminated because of unpaid bills. Instead of putting that poor person under the nearby bridge down, share a jacket with him, or take the extra food to her from a meal where you cooked in excess. Show love towards these people, be a good neighbor to that child of God who needs help. Love these individuals, even as our caring, merciful God loved you while you were still steeped in sin and filth. Let it be said of you that you were merciful, just like your Father!

PRAYER: Dearest Lord Jesus, I am so thankful that You know our very heart and therefore You are well aware of all that we stand for. There’s no need in us trying to tell You what we do and who we love, for You know our very heart. Please penetrate our hearts with Your Word, so that Your perfect will and way may be evident in all that we do, say and think. There are so many needs around us, and I’m afraid that we have become way too hardened by the needs. We attribute that to abuse that we may have seen, or perhaps to family members who should really jump in and help their needy members. But in today’s Scripture You gave us no escsape, for You insisted that if we see the need, or if we are aware of the need, meet it with all that we can. May we become keenly aware of the needs that we will encounter today with those that we come into contact with, and may You become very visible to those that we help. You gave it all, and we thank You for that, but please receive honor, praise and glory for any representation of Yourself today by Your children. AMEN!

Do You Hear Me Now?

On 2021-04-012021-04-01 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Hears Us, Needs, Praise, Prayer, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2021-04-01
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Psalm 22:1-3
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹My God, my God, why have You turned Your back on me?
    Your ears are deaf to my groans.
²O my God, I cry all day and You are silent;
    my tears in the night bring no relief.
³Still, You are holy;
    You make Your home on the praises of Israel.

OBSERVATION: A mom or dad might respond to the pleas of an unruly child ‘don’t even talk to me right now’ and the child will know exactly that there is something that made mom/dad upset. I don’t know that God was upset with David why He made him feel that his prayers were falling on deaf ears, but often there are very good reasons why God may not immediately answer our prayers in the manner we are demanding. Let’s use this scripture as a reminder of the God who hears our every prayer!

APPLICATION: Hopefully not many of you will pick up your cellphones and shout the theme that I chose for today into your phone, like the advertiser did in their commercial! But doesn’t it remind you of that, especially at those times that you are hurting or in desperate need? Don’t you feel like shouting ‘is anybody out there’? Perhaps if we do a better job of thanking God for answers to all challenges, even smaller ones, and not overlook talking to God about the simple things of life, we might develop a sense of confidence in the God who can do ALL things, including bringing the dead back to life as He did with Lazarus. Friends, when we develop an intimate relationship with God, we will know what it means when it seems like He’s not listening and when it seems like He is not hearing or answering our prayers. We must also be very careful to remind ourselves that we are praying to God – the One who knows ALL things and will do only what He knows best for His beloved children. My point is that we don’t want to interfere with God’s plan by trying to tell Him how to correct our issue. There is no doubt that His ways far exceed anything that we might think or ask for, so simply lay your burden at His feet; share with Him how much you are hurting; and also share with Him how you wish for the best in your circumstances, even though you are more than happy to receive what He knows is best. Remember, you’ve built a relationship with your Creator and you know that He has your best interest at heart, so don’t be afraid to share your feelings, even though you want to always accept His perfect will for you. Often, these times of quiet by God is because of sin that you have allowed into your life, or because He wants you to draw closer to Him, or at even other times He is simply wanting to see you dig into His Word and be drawn to a closer walk with Him. God’s ways are always perfect, for He knows the plan that He has for us. Our ways are often diluted with sin and the evil of this earth, so when we pray, let’s remember to draw close to God first. This will help us to not only give in to His will, but it will give us opportunity to align our hearts with His, so that we may be less lightly to ask awry. A sure lesson for us to learn is found in verse 3, for in spite of David’s frustration in the first two verses, yet he acknowledged that God is almighty and all-powerful and deserves the praise of His people. This teaches me that I have no reason to be upset with God, for He deserves my praise – period! It’s me oh God, standing in the need of prayer. Please help my readers and I to concentrate on the awesome God of this universe, and refrain from trying to blame You when our prayers seem to fall on deaf ears and have not been responded to as we may have humanly and erroneously asked for.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for Your unending patience with me. Thankfully, You created me and You know my weaknesses, just as You did with Your servant David. Please forgive me when I lower my expectations of You to a level where it seems that You need my help. You are God, and I am not. May I always remember to respect You for the awesome God that You are. Of course You hear my prayer, please help me to be patient and wait for You to do just that. May each reader be drawn closer to You today, is my humble prayer as we all depend on You in prayer. AMEN!

In A State of Readiness

On 2021-03-312021-03-31 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Christ's Return, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, The Return of Jesus, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2021-03-31
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 24:42=44
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁴²So keep watch. You don’t know when your Lord will come. ⁴³But you should know this: If the owner of a house had known his house was about to be broken into, he would have stayed up all night, vigilantly. He would have kept watch, and he would have thwarted the thief. ⁴⁴So you must be ready because you know the Son of Man will come, but you can’t know precisely when.

OBSERVATION: Weather apps are awesome, because they prepare us for what’s ahead in weather conditions. So imagine receiving an alert in very dangerous weather that will affect our conditions tomorrow and present very high risk to the safety of people, homes and objects, but you decide to simply ignore the warnings. No worries about what others will say, because that’s exactly what many do on weekends after hearing the Word proclaimed in our churches. What’s wrong?

APPLICATION: As I read the Word today, I was reminded how relaxed we become when we lower our guard on great dangers and the corresponding warnings given to us ahead of that potential danger. If we don’t get a hurricane for a few years, we relax our guard. After a ‘big one’ hits, we raise our guards as our senses have been rekindled to the inherent danger, then we react to warnings when a hurricane is still hundreds of miles out at sea. Jesus knew that the disciples by His side were going through the motions of servanthood, but He wanted to remind them to always be prepared for the inevitable – the return of the Master to take His bride, the church, home to glory. Many of you might attend church, and you might casually mention around the lunch table the urgency you felt in your pastor’s words that morning at church. You may have been reminded of how everything is being aligned for the return of Christ, just as the Bible says, but somehow you feel like its just not time to ‘bother’ family members and neighbors of the urgency of the hour. Or is it that you are not convinced yourself? Notice how Jesus told the disciples that although they must know of Christ’s return, they will not know precisely when the return of the Master will take place. In my Old Testament reading Moses invited the Israelites to come closer to the mountain so they could see God. As God came closer to them, the mountain shook from the thunderous sound of God speaking to them. Will you wait for the thunder before you get serious about His return? Jesus taught us to be ready at all times, just like a homeowner who would wait up all night with a readied defense against a robber who planned to rob him that night. No doubt you are equally as concerned about impending danger to your kids, causing you to almost panic as you warn them about certain aspects of life that you know would bring harm to them and their family. Friends, no matter how much love you feel towards your kids, and how careful you are in warning them of things that might hurt them, or how strongly you encourage them towards the benefits in store for them, know that we serve a God who far exceeds your expectations in doing the same for you! He created you in His own image and He poured out His love for you in ways that you would never think or imagine. He is taking care of us here on earth, but yet He has already prepared us a place for the time when we will unite with Him around His throne in glory. Let me encourage you to fully surrender to our Lord today my friend, for He cares for you, and He has a plan for your life! You are precious in His sight!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord Jesus for thinking so much of me as to warn me about being ready for Your eminent return. You warned that only the Father knows the day and the hour of Your return, so seeing that could mean perhaps even before I conclude my devotional, I must stand ready even now to look full into Your wonderful face and sing endless praises to the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, who died so that I might live forever in glory by Your side. Lord, I am most concerned that I have truly reminded my readers of the urgency of the hour, just as You did with Your disciples. These are Your precious children also dear God, so please allow Your urgent Word to penetrate their hearts so that they might ready themselves urgently for Your return. Lord, we know You are coming, and we know that You could come at any time, so with ready hearts, we invite You to come Lord Jesus come! Take us to be where You are! AMEN!

Listen To the Warnings

On 2021-03-302021-03-30 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Warning, Warning Signs, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2021-03-20
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 24:27; 30-31
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ²⁷For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man^[e] comes…..
³⁰And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.^[h] ³¹And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world^[i]—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

OBSERVATION: I recall a bad storm that hit western Florida and the press was badly criticized for not giving fair warning to residents. What would the residents have done differently? Some may have done a little more to protect their homes from the violent waves that battered them. But some may have done nothing until they saw proof of a bad storm approaching. As we meditate on the Scripture today, perhaps we will analyze how the above example displays our actions each weekend as we hear the warnings of Christ’s return. God’s chosen, or those who chose God, will be removed from the scene by His angels. Will you be included in that number?

APPLICATION: In a bad lightening storm, many are terrified because of stories they may have heard about death, or very serious injuries that folk may have sustained from lightening strikes. However, you can also appreciate that you can look into the skies and see lightening flashing hundreds of miles away. I believe that Jesus used this example to help us understand that it will be no secret that Jesus is returning to take His church home to glory. In this same chapter, we are also told that our people will be partying and having a ball, just as in the days of Noah. Today, it is very easy to listen to the news reports of large parties where police find it almost impossible to disburse the crowd and retain peace for communities. So could the return of Jesus really happen any day now? The Word declares that there will be ‘deep mourning’, and some versions say ‘people will weep’. Friends, for the child of God, I believe that we will be rejoicing with the angels that our Savior has come and to rescue us to a peaceful, happy home where we may worship God endlessly and without interference, or any type of hindrance. No more sorrow, no more loss of loved ones, but peace and contentment for evermore around the throne of God! But wait a minute, what about those who were unconcerned about the Lord and found many excuses not to give up the world and accept Jesus as Lord? Unfortunately their eternal outcome has also been decided by them, for they have chosen to give Satan control of their lives here on earth and throughout eternity. Will things get worse for them? Unfortunately I believe that the Word is true for them also, for it tells of a place of torment; of fire and brimstone; of anguish worse than anything ever experienced before. Friends, there are stark contrasts between day and night, and so is the case between heaven and hell. Does one choose to go to Hell? Yes they do – whenever they reject the invitation of Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of their life, they have just responded positively to Satan and to joining him in Hell when life here on earth is over. The good news about all of this is that at this very moment, you know without a doubt where you will spend eternity, for the Bible tells you so. I pray that there will not be one reader who has not made a deliberate decision to accept Jesus as Lord. I look forward to knowing each of you personally as we glorify Jesus and His father personally around the throne. Please don’t disappoint me. If there is any doubt in your mind, please read my ‘Footnote’ carefully and allow God to convince you through His Word.

PRAYER: Because You have promised to blast a trumpet ordering Your angels to collect us from earth and join You in heaven, I believe that You are more than fair in extending Your Word out to all parts of the earth, even through the medium of daily blogs that extend worldwide through the World Wide Web. Your message is clear and it touches all mankind. Your children (believers) will be lifted up and will join You in heaven, praise the wonderful name of Jesus my Lord! Saying no to You, is saying yes to Satan, and unfortunately some have chosen to do that. Please touch the hearts of all my readers today so that they may catch a glimpse of heaven and my wonderful, amazing and awesome Savior, and that the choice will be clear and deliberate for them today: Yes to Jesus, and no way to Satan and his burning Hell. Be glorified today dear Lord as your children heed the warnings and accept You as Lord. AMEN!

About Your Teacher

On 2021-03-292021-03-29 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Teacher, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Monday, 2021-03-29
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 23:10-12
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁰… don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. ¹¹The greatest among you must be a servant.¹²But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

OBSERVATION: Who is your teacher? If a child, then I’m sure you thought of your school teacher. But what about adults, who is that person who came to mind when you saw the subject of this devotional? Really, today is all about titles and what they do For those who give them, and for those called by those titles. Jesus was referred to as ‘Teacher’, and no one else is deserving of that title, nor are they any match for Jesus. Stay tuned!

APPLICATION: This is really just one of the titles referred to by Jesus as He spoke to the Pharisees about how they were making way too much over titles and self recognition than anything they could possibly accomplish for the Kingdom. But have we learned anything from that? In verse 8 of chapter 23, Jesus clarified this teaching by saying that we are all brothers and sisters, or equal to each other, and not one standing in authority, or above another. I have always compared Christianity to marriage, so once again I will do that. In a marriage, the Bible refers to the husband as the leader of the home. Does that make him better than his wife – no, for she is also a daughter of the same Father. Does that cause Him to require worship from his wife or to be exalted by his wife? Of course not, for she is an equal partner in the marriage. Similarly in the life of a believer, one might be blessed with the gift of explaining the Word of God and clarifying any mystifying parts of the Word, but because his students also have gifts in other areas that he is not blessed in, the point of superiority is automatically null and void. So why give that person a title? Friends, God placed us all here on earth as His children. Just as in your earthly family there are no favorites or superiority among siblings, it is perfected even more so in God’s family. We are all equal in His eyes. But to an even greater extent, we can see from this Scripture today that Jesus was concerned that the Pharisees were being called by titles that many referred to Him as. Jesus knew that this would soon lead to the Pharisees trying to assume the rightful place of God’s Holy Son among the people that they were in charge of. Please be careful friends to not even think about calling someone by a name that you may have heard given to Jesus or to the Father in the Bible. For there is only one God – our great God – God Almighty. There is only one Son of God – Jesus Christ. Any alternate titles given to these supreme beings are forever assigned to them and refers to them, so never find the need to call any man, or woman, by any of those names. Often we do it as a means of exalting that person for the awesome job they are doing in teaching/preaching/witnessing or just doing good work in the name of the Father. Because they are your Brother or Sister, you can simply refer to them in deepest respect as you would to your natural sibling. You diminish the value of our Lord, when you start calling mankind by any name attributed to Him at any time. Always acknowledge Jesus as Lord, for there is no other under the sun that takes His place. There are great pastors, teachers or workers for the Kingdom, but they are men and women just like you. Never make them anything more through a title you may give them. Intentionally thank God for them and ask Him to bless them richly for their efforts.

PRAYER: Lord God, You alone are holy, and You alone are God. Please help us to never attribute that authority to any man or woman, whether through title or through any other means. You have created great men and women of God who may often sacrifice their entire lives to Your ministry and to share the Good News with the world. Please help us to never feel the need to escalate their title or their worth beyond anything greater than a fellow Brother or Sister blessed of God. We may appreciate their value in knowledge, in giving or in education, but may we always show our appreciation as a sibling of the Most High God and nothing more. We want you to be honored and lifted up above all men, for You alone are God and You alone deserve our praise. We glory in Your name while we are here on earth, and we are anxious to bow at your feet and sing eternal praises when You call us home to glory. Until that time, please bless us with qualities that we can share with others that might help lead them to You. AMEN!