Tag: abandoned

Just as You Abandoned God, He will Abandon You

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2022-03-09
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: 2 Chronicles 24:18-20
TRANSLATION: Good News Translation (GNT)

BIBLE TEXT: 18 …. the people stopped worshiping in the Temple of the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and began to worship idols and the images of the goddess Asherah. Their guilt for these sins brought the LORD’s anger on Judah and Jerusalem. 19 The LORD sent prophets to warn them to return to him, but the people refused to listen. 20 Then the spirit of God took control of Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood where the people could see him and called out, “The LORD God asks why you have disobeyed his commands and are bringing disaster on yourselves! You abandoned him, so he has abandoned you!”

APPLICATION: Let’s think about critical times that we look forward to God being by our side, and how He intervenes on our behalf; then let us consider what we would do if He was not available to us:
a) When we are sick or injured and doctors don’t seem to know where to turn for answers – Christians turn to God in prayer, knowing that the same power He used to heal the blind man and to cleanse the leper, He could also make that healing available to us. But if God was not available to us we might become disheartened and disillusioned as the pain or discomfort from our illness worsens;
b) When we lose our job and the bills keep mounting up – Christians look to God for His invincible hand and ask Him to open doors to help us meet our financial responsibilities, just like He provided for the widow with just a morsel of food left in her jar. But if He is no longer available, we may be forced into begging on the street, or perhaps selling what little we might own in material possessions in order to buy food;
c) When our kids are in trouble – either financially, with health issues or perhaps losing a child – Christians turn to God in prayers of desperation, for if we were able, we would give up our last penny or our best shirt, if we thought it would provide their need, or answer their dilemma. But we pray because we know that ALL things are possible to the God that we love, know and adore. What if God was not available to the cry of His children, I can’t imagine what we would do.
Lest we take for granted the power of our God, and the presence of our God, and the love of our God for His precious children, we might struggle to identify with the people that Zechariah was tasked to deliver this horrifying message. However, in spite of their persistent disobedience, even after being forewarned by God, they continued along the evil path they were traveling. Friends, our pastors stand in our church pulpits each and every week, and they warn us of what lies ahead for those who reject Jesus, and for those who have hardened their hearts to His instructions. Are you paying attention? Are you following through in obedience to the invitation of your pastor and the commands of God? I trust that you will connect with God and begin by readying your heart for a holy God; then I pray that you will join me as we seek His guidance, wisdom and power to overcome the temptations of this world and to be obedient children of the King. Believe me, the last thing we need in this world is to ever search for God, and find that He has abandoned us because of our unfaithfulness. We absolutely don’t want to go there.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am thankful for You providing a way for us, even when we were traveling down a dark world of sin and disobedience. While still here in this world we struggle to separate ourselves and live according to Your Word. Please give us determined minds, and strengthen us to follow Your commands that You have put in place to help us live according to Your will and example. Thank You Jesus for accepting us as we are, and presenting us to the Father cleansed by Your precious blood. We need You every hour of every day, Lord. May Your will be done as we await Your kingdom some day soon! Please continue to bless us with Your Your presence, power, and Your precious love. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org 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 or listening to this devotional, please go to 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. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. 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!

Feeling Forsaken Yet Reassured Of God’s Goodness

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-02-08
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 22:1-5
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
    Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
    Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
3 Yet you are holy,
    enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 Our ancestors trusted in you,
    and you rescued them.
5 They cried out to you and were saved.
    They trusted in you and were never disgraced.

APPLICATION: Don’t we sometimes feel deserted and defeated when things are not going the way we expect, or want? But isn’t it satisfying to note that other great saints had similar feelings at various times in their lives, and we have the advantage of reading how things turned out for them? David was a great man of God, yet in today’s Psalm he shares how he felt abandoned by God, in spite of his cries and groans for help. You may have noticed from the words of this Psalm that it is almost identical to the words of Jesus’ cry on the cross, for He also felt forsaken by God, when He saw that God was allowing His crucifixion to proceed. So we are in good company when we start feeling like our prayers are hitting a brick wall. David knew that God was very capable of rescuing him and saving him from his times of tumult. No doubt David also had it all calculated how God would handle his situation, and very often this is what makes us so frustrated, for we know what we want to see happen, yet God in His infinite wisdom, has different plans in mind. But let’s take in the added methods used by David. He basically reminded himself of how powerful God is, and how He had seen God help in times past, so he knew the ability was there, and that God would respond if He knew that David’s request was in his best interest. But regardless of all this, David saw where God had other plans in his case, for He was not giving him immediate release from his problems. Does this sound familiar dear friends? We have seen committed Christians pray earnestly for their Christian spouse stricken with Covid, yet they have succumbed to that dreaded decease, even though we have read in the Bible and seen in current history where God healed the sick and restored them back to good health. We have seen faithful Christian people die of their injuries sustained in automobile accidents, even though they prayed for safe traveling mercies each morning, and had huge plans for continued ministry in the coming days. Is it not clear why David became engrossed in his apparent abandonment, and felt like God no longer cared for him? But, faithful believers and friends, let us never forget a few things that we know from the Bible: His ways are not our ways – We know what we selfishly want, but God knows what it will take to reach that lost son, daughter, or coworker. He knows the lives that would be touched by your testimony. His ways are perfect – in spite of our assurance that we know what He should, or should not do, let us always remember when we say that God is in control of everything – that includes the good results that we like, and the results that we just don’t understand or would personally subscribe to. Friends, I believe that David would remind us, and ensure that we never forget, that our God’s not dead, nor is He blind or deaf to our worse-case scenarios. His love for us extends to the ends of the earth, through good and bad, through happy and sad times. He knows what our future holds, and He has already planned for how we will spend that. We may be happy if He allows us to remain on earth, but if He is ready for us in heaven, then our future is filled with overwhelming joy and happiness as we meet around the throne and worship He and the Father endlessly! So there is no need to question God over our frustrations, let’s just prepare ourselves for the ecstasy of that day when pain and heartache will no longer exist, but replaced with joy and happiness in His presence.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: There is no greater joy than knowing that God has everything under His total control. Frustration may come when things don’t go like we expect, but joy comes in the morning, when we arise in His eternal, heavenly presence!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for saving my soul, thank You Lord for making me whole, thank You Lord for giving to me – Thy great salvation so rich and full! Please forgive us when we moan and complain because You didn’t heal as quickly as we expected, or in a manner that we told You to. You are definitely in control and we can gladly shout from the rooftops how Your answer to our dilemmas far exceed anything we could ever dream of on our own. You alone are God, and we are mere man. Please help us to bring our burdens to You and leave them there, for You know the plans You have for us, and You will clear mountains so that Your plans might be fulfilled. Oh that You might be lifted up because of the awesome work of the One who lives in, controls, and constantly loves on us. May this be the envy of the unsaved and may they be drawn to You as they see You at work in Your people. 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!

What If God Abandon’s You?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Monday, 2020-03-09
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: 2 Chronicles 24:18-20
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: 18  Joash, in the absence of Jehoiada, then led the nation to abandon God. God was infuriated with Judah and Jerusalem. 19 In spite of His anger, the Eternal sent prophets to tell the people how they had sinned and that they should repent. But they did not listen.
20 Then the Spirit of the True God possessed Zechariah, Jehoiada the priest’s son, giving him a message for the people.
Zechariah (standing above the people): The True God has a message for you: “Why do you disobey the Eternal’s commands? You will not have prosperous lives as long as you continue this. Since you have abandoned Him, He has abandoned you.”

OBSERVATION: For the Christian, there is nothing quite so awful as to imagine that God is not there for us. But to ever imagine that God is not there because of something that we have done, that must leave us with a feeling of regret that is hard to imagine. In our Scripture today, we can read where Zechariah received a word from God, that because the people had abandoned God, He has also abandoned them. During our meditation let us think about various scenarios where God is not available to us. I believe this will be a real eye-opener for us.

APPLICATION: Let’s think about critical times that we look forward to God being by our side, and how He intervenes on our behalf; then let us consider what we would do if He was not available to us:
a) When we are sick or injured and doctors don’t seem to know where to turn for answers – Christians turn to God in prayer, knowing that the same power He used to heal the blind man and to cleanse the leper, He could also make that healing available to us. But if God was not available to us we might become disheartened and disillusioned as the pain or discomfort from our illness worsens;
b) When we lose our job and the bills keep pouring in – Christians look to God for His invincible hand and ask Him to open doors to help us with our finances, just like He provided for the widow with just a morsel left in a jar. But if He no longer available, we may be forced into begging on the street, or perhaps selling what little we might own in material possessions in order to buy food;
c) When our kids are in trouble – either financially, health issues or losing a child – Christians turn to God in prayers of desperation, for if we were able, we would give up our last penny or our best shirt, if we thought it would provide their need, or answer their dilemma. But we pray because we know that ALL things are possible to the God that we love, know and adore. What if God was not available to the cry of His children, I can’t imagine what we would do.
Lest we take for granted the power of our God, and the presence of our God, and the love of our God for His precious children, we might assume that this was a non-event for the audience of Zechariah. However, in spite of their persistent disobedience, even after being forewarned by God, they continued along the evil path they were traveling. Friends, our pastors stand in our church pulpits each and every week, and they warn us of what lies ahead for those who reject Jesus, and for those who have hardened their hearts to His instructions. Are you paying attention? Are you following through in obedience to the commands of God? I trust that you will connect with God and begin by readying your heart for a holy God; then I pray that you will join me as we seek His guidance, wisdom and power to overcome the temptations of this world and to be obedient children of the King.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am thankful for You providing a way for us, even when we are traveling down a dark world of sin and disobedience. While still here in this world we struggle to separate ourselves and live according to Your Word. Please give us determined minds, and strengthen us to follow Your commands that You have put in place to help us live according to Your will and example. Thank You Jesus for accepting us as we are, and presenting us to the Father cleansed by Your precious blood. We need You every hour of every Day Lord. May Your will be done as we await Your kingdom some day soon! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org 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 or listening to this devotional, please go to 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. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. 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!

Feeling Abandoned By God?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Jesus Loves you, Love, Love of God, Loving God, The Father's Love, The love of God, Unconditional loveLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   2 Chronicles 12:5 (GNT)

TEXT:   ….. “This is the Lord‘s message to you: ‘You have abandoned me, so now I have abandoned you….

OBSERVATION:   Solomon’s son, King Rehoboam was touched by the Master when he was told not to fight with his brothers. He also listened to the Man of God on other occasions, that is, until he felt like his kingdom was established. Soon, Rehoboam felt like he had things under control, so he saw no further need for God. This is when God sent His messenger with the above message, as quoted from Scripture. I know this still happens today, so I want us to meditate on this.

APPLICATION:   I believe that we will all agree that at one time or another we may have drifted away from God. I believe that some who may read this devotional today may still be feeling abandoned by God. I hope that some will read this blog today who may not truly understand the full value of walking with the very Son of God, so you may question how one might be comforted or reassured in knowing that Jesus, our Lord and Savior really cares for us and the direction we are to walk. Friends, I am so comforted when I open God’s Word and He speaks so confidently to me. I can reflect back on circumstances where I was obedient to His direction for my life, and how awesome it is to savor the sweetness of seeing God work through those circumstances. These are scenarios where people thought I was nuts, but thank God, He received glory in the success of what He was accomplishing through this humble and obedient servant. We have no idea what will happen later today or anytime afterwards, so when we feel compelled to do something, or say something, or be somewhere in particular, our response should be like that of Samuel: Yes Lord, your servant stands ready to obey. On the contrary, I want to humbly plead with those who have drifted away from God, like Rehoboam had done, and additionally plead with those who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior yet. You may very well be in the abandoned by the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, because of choices that you alone made. You have deliberately erected a wall between you and God where you are basically asking God to stay in His corner, because you intend to stay in yours. Please know that our God is very much a gentleman, and He will not interfere where He has not been invited to. Just as in marital separations and divorces, please don’t just barge in and start demanding certain things. Remember, you have abandoned God, and asked Him to abandon you. Please come back to Him just as a lost person would seek salvation. Ask for forgiveness, and acceptance into His kingdom. Please friend, if you have distanced yourself from God, let me encourage you to become reacquainted today. Don’t waste any time, for He wants to love on you today, and reassure you that He will be there for you in your time of need and/or celebration.

PRAYER:   Probably one of the most dangerous things we could do, is to distance ourselves before our Creator, our Lord, our God, our Savior and our Friend. He loved us even when we were unlovable, and He sent His one and only Son to die at Calvary so that we might have hope, eternal life and unconditional love. Please join me in making Jesus Christ first and foremost in our lives. He loves us, and wants to see us ready for the welcome party He is preparing for all of His children, one day in Heaven.

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 could 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 to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Sebring, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!