Tag: Accept Jesus as Lord

But Lord?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Excuses, God's Will, Obedience, ObedientLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Acts 9:11-16 (MSG)

TEXT:  11-12 “Get up and go over to Straight Avenue. Ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus. His name is Saul. He’s there praying. He has just had a dream in which he saw a man named Ananias enter the house and lay hands on him so he could see again.”

13-14 Ananias protested, “Master, you can’t be serious. Everybody’s talking about this man and the terrible things he’s been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he’s shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us.”

15-16 But the Master said, “Don’t argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to non-Jews and kings and Jews. And now I’m about to show him what he’s in for—the hard suffering that goes with this job.”

OBSERVATION:   Interesting how God shocks His servants with challenges, that they feel, are so outlandish! Moses was shocked, and found excuses when asked to take charge of the Israelites. Having never seen or heard of rain, Noah was shocked to receive orders to build a huge boat up on dry land. In our Scripture today, Ananias is being asked to go and minister to a murderer of Christians. One who had always fought Christianity and all that it stood for. Although God was the one telling Ananias to ‘Go’, Ananias was sure there must be some mistake, and he had to be sure that was cleared up before he agreed to do anything. Aren’t we just as quick in coming up with excuses why we can’t or shouldn’t do certain parts of ministry today?

APPLICATION:   Do you remember the anxiety the first time that you were asked to read a few verses of Scripture, or pray aloud in public? Did the fear of that happening, keep you from attending certain services, or from sitting near the front? Did that fear worsen when you were asked to go and visit a shut-in or a hospitalized member of the church? Ever felt led of God to visit a friend who was not a believer, hoping that you would find the opportunity to witness to that person, but at the last minute you got ‘cold feet’ and started to find multiple excuses why you couldn’t go? If any of these things bring back vivid memories, then you may have had a mild Ananias experience. I say ‘mild’, because in the case of Ananias, he was being asked to go and lay hands on one of the biggest threats in his time. We would hate to think about being near to a mass murderer, even if given the opportunity to witness to them, but it was a well known fact that Saul was out to eliminate those who might minister for the Lord Jesus, and Ananias was one of those. Wouldn’t that be the same as placing the ‘bait’ right at the feet of the ‘lion’? Friends, I believe that this Scripture shows us several facets of God’s amazing plan. Who else would be more effective in speaking to the folk that opposed God, than one of their own? Who else would show the power of God to save even the vilest of sinners, as in the case of Saul? Who else could better show a life transformed by the blood of Jesus, like Paul did? In listening to the news every day of our lives, we hear of so many forms of evil that, in most cases, we cringe at it happening very close to many of our home towns. God has called us to proclaim His Word and to be His witnesses at home and abroad. Stop finding excuses and saying “But Lord…..”, for He knows the plans He has for you. Don’t disappoint Him by trying to correct or remind the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, that you may know something that He may have overlooked. Let me remind you again what He said back to Ananias, ‘Just GO’. Let’s learn to be more obedient friend.

PRAYER:   Unfortunately, I believe that we are just as doubtful today, even after seeing the after results of Your demands on several unsuspecting servants in Your Word. There is no doubt that You hold the world in Your hands and that it moves at Your command. The same is true for the individuals that You alone created. Lord, please have mercy on us and continue to strengthen us with the help of the Holy Spirit, to obediently follow Your commands and Your will for us, especially in using us to touch the lives of others, especially those who seem so unlikely to us. Lord, may Your perfect will be achieved in and through Your saints today, even me 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 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!

 

Persecutors of the Church?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Overcomer, Overcomers, Persecution, Praise, Praise-worthyLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Acts 9:3-5 (GNT)

TEXT:  3 As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, suddenly a light from the sky flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” he asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you persecute,” the voice said.

OBSERVATION:   I would suggest that you click on the Scripture reference and read the context in which our Scripture comes from today. You will find that the above verses are actually displaying a miracle in the life of Saul, one who was out to murder and/or arrest every Christian and worshiper of Christ. In fact, when God intervened, Saul was on his way to the synagogues at Damascus to disrupt the Christians by arresting them and taking them back to Jerusalem. Although we see God make a total change in the life of Saul, we are also reminded of persecutors of the church – perhaps even today?

APPLICATION:   Did you click on this devotional hoping that I would give you a list of the persecutors of God’s church today? You might be disappointed, because what I believe that God wants to challenge us on today, is to make sure that we have no indicators of being persecutors ourselves. Oh Brother Ed, you have really gone overboard now, for we are workers in the church, so we would never persecute the church. Friends, here are some subtle ways that I believe we persecute the work of Christ today:

  • Supporting the Pastors of your church – these men, and possibly women, battle with the same time constraints that the rest of us do. They receive more criticism in one month than we probably receive in a lifetime. They are often expected to stretch each dollar further than mankind has ever been able to do it. They are on duty 24/7, yet expected to be fresh and at their best every time they stand before us. If you are to be a true supporter of God’s servants – pray for them and their families; support them through constant encouragement; listen close enough to their sermons that you may want to question them on a point raised during their delivery; Lift them up before your friends instead of tearing them down. These things might be more like promoting God’s work, instead of tearing down or persecuting; by finding fault complaining; not attending church; not tithing so that God’s work might go on; etc.
  • Volunteer – if you are supporting the work of Christ, volunteer to help get more done each day in the ministry. Offer to help around the church office or property; offer to call shut-ins or visit the sick or hospitalized. Idle hands will lead to ridicule, or persecution, way quicker than building up a greater desire to promote the ministry of Christ;
  • Be an encourager – Let the pastors and lay leaders know that you are praying for them. This builds up. This gives you something positive to do instead of leaning to ridicule or persecution. Send notes of encouragement. Specifically pray for someone hurting, working for the Lord, or needing encouragement, then tell them that you prayed for them.

Friends, we can either be a worker, supporter or encourager in the world, or we could be a persecutor, ready to tear down everything and anything God puts together for good. Where do you fit?

PRAYER:   Lord, I believe our default character tends to be more of a complainer or discourager. To tear down and destroy. Yet Lord, when we stop and consider that the Son of God came to earth and humbled Himself through death on the cross at Calvary, for the benefit of undeserving sinners such as I am, and you are friend. How can I but love You, my Savior and my Lord? Oh that the love of God may shine through His humble servants this day and every day, so that others may see every indication of Jesus, and never an indication of persecution of His master plan for us while here on this earth. 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 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!

 

Sincerity of the Heart in Prayer

On By Ed AlgreenIn Dedication, Power of Prayer, Prayer, Sincere, SincerityLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   2 Kings 20:1-6 (ERV)

TEXT: 1 …. “The Lord says, ‘You will die soon, so you should tell your family what they should do when you die. You will not get well.’”

2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall that faced the Temple and began praying to the Lord. 3 “Lord, remember that I have sincerely served you with all my heart. I have done what you say is good.” Then Hezekiah cried very hard.

4 Before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, he received this message from the Lord, 5 “Go back and speak to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I heard your prayer and I saw your tears, so I will heal you. On the third day you will go up to the Temple of the Lord. 6 I will add 15 years to your life….

OBSERVATION:   Hezekiah had been very diligent in serving God faithfully as he ruled over Judah, so the news of his impending death came as a quick, shortened life, decision to him. In fact, he was so determined to carry out more of his plans, that he quickly turned to God in very earnest prayer, to ask for more time. God gave him 15 more years, but take note in vs 5 that God not only heard his wish for more time, but He saw his tears. You may pray in secret to the Father, but always remember that He knows the innermost thoughts of each one who approaches His throne of grace.

APPLICATION:   Often we will allow anything to roll from our lips that we feel like the audience might expect to hear from us, or that we think they really need to hear at that moment. Unfortunately I believe that corporate prayer pulls that sort of prayer from saints. Friends, I believe that if we could go before the Master with all walls broken down, and in total openness and transparency, then God will hear the cry of our hearts without all the frills. In fact, I would dare say that we would be willing to share the ‘un-edited’ version of our prayers! Notice also that in a public setting, we may not be willing to allow our emotions to show. In our Scripture, the king (Hezekiah) prayed so sincerely that he ‘cried very hard’. This sounds like a prayer filled with emotion, and I believe that we will do the same when we pray to the Father in a private setting, just as we might do when discussing intimate things with our spouse. In other words, I believe that we would be more apt to be ‘real’ when in private and desperate prayer with our Father. Now friends, please know that I am not condemning corporate prayer, for it is times like that, where you will realize that God is still answering prayer, that He still hears the prayers of His children, and the sweetness in hearing someone else lifting up your prayer need before the Master and ultimate Healer. These are the times that young Christians learn to pray; they will also gain encouragement from hearing your prayer and knowing that they too can ask God for their own wishes. I heard someone say at one time, that we should pray for needs as if it was our son or daughter in need of prayer! Do you see how we might get more sincere,serious, and urgent about a prayer like that? I believe that it was that kind of deep sincerity that king Hezekiah went before God with.

PRAYER:   Lord Jesus, there are many needs that we may come before You with, and we will often keep them in such general form that I’m sure You must wonder how serious we are. I pray in deepest earnest that You may touch the hearts of each church member in my city, county, state and nation. If we were playing church, then we would become a member and continue doing what we’ve always done. While this may, unfortunately, be exactly what many have done, I want to plead with You from the bottom of my heart that the church will be ‘the church’ – ‘Your church’. Others will have no desire to know You, if they see us pretending, or uncommitted, or pleasing the crowd instead of preaching,  teaching and praying Your Word. Please touch the hearts of Your children today, and help us to seriously petition the throne of grace for the unsaved and the uncommitted, and may Your church catch fire from the revival that will result! I ask these things believing in the power of the Almighty, 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 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!

 

What ya gonna do when they come for you?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Dedicated, DedicationLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Acts 8:4-6 (VOICE)

TEXT:  4 All those who had been scattered by the persecution moved from place to place; and wherever they went, they weren’t afraid or silent. Instead, they spread the message of Jesus. 5 Philip, for example, headed north to the city of Samaria, and he told them the news of the Anointed One. 6 The crowds were united in their desire to understand Philip’s message. They not only listened with their ears, but they witnessed miraculous signs with their eyes.

OBSERVATION:   The Scripture today continues after we were told how believers were persecuted. One of the disciples, Stephen, had just been stoned to death after a sermon he delivered. Saul, known for persecuting Christians, was coming into town, and the church at Jerusalem just scattered in an effort to save their own lives. Would our church today be any different in trying to protect our lives?

APPLICATION:   I believe that the question for us today is: ‘How firm is our faith?’; ‘How committed are we to serving God?’; What will it take to disrupt our dedication and commitment to our Lord? For many today, they are not impacted by persecution such as stoning or maiming or murder, it’s simply some of these things: too rainy; don’t like the pastor anymore; don’t like the small room they’ve placed our class in; can’t handle the new music; The only day I have to go to the beach; the only day I have to sleep in; etc. So putting aside the excuses that we use in attending worship services or doing work for the Lord, can you even imagine having to leave a town because of persecution, then go to the town right next to you and start right away with the same ministry that you were just persecuted for? Notice that the Word says nothing about how much Philip and his companions were blessed or enriched by what they did, but rather how lost people were being saved and touched by the gospel. Friends, I truly believe that the things we unselfishly do for the Lord will have meaningful results for the Lord, and they will not go unnoticed by Him. When our aim in ministry is solely for the purpose of lifting up the name of Jesus, then He will receive glory. When we are trying to use the gospel for selfish reasons to show our neighbor up about their actions, or to see ourselves lifted up, then God nor us receive blessings from that type of action. Its all about Jesus, friends. It’s Jesus that saved us; Jesus that maintains us; and therefore Jesus that should be praised for all things that we become involved in. In closing, let me challenge you with a few questions: When persecutors are hot on your trail, and looking for ways to destroy you, what will you wind up doing? Will you stay strong in the faith or will you run and hide? Who gets more praise out of your ministry, you or God?

PRAYER:   Father, we are humbled by what Philip and his helpers did, even under extenuating circumstances. Please impress upon us the importance of staying true to Your work and ministry even when it may appear like our world is closing in on us. I believe it is evident that Satan will use every tactic to disrupt Your work. Please help us to keep our eyes fixed on You and depend on You every day for our every need, and for direction. Our people need the Lord, and only You can touch their heart Lord, so we wait, we wait on You, Lord. Have thine own way and may the glory be Yours for all that’s achieved through us, Your humble servants. 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 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!

 

Our Place of Worship

On By Ed AlgreenIn Heaven, Personal, Personal testimony, Salvation, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Acts 7:48-50 (TLB)

TEXT:   48-49 …..God doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. ‘The heaven is my throne,’ says the Lord through his prophets, ‘and earth is my footstool. What kind of home could you build?’ asks the Lord. ‘Would I stay in it? 50 Didn’t I make both heaven and earth?’

OBSERVATION:   Back in the day when Acts was written, and particularly during the period that today’s Scripture refers, there was a lot of emphasis placed on the Ark of the Covenant. Then people, like David came along, and with a sincere heart for God, he really wanted to build a super worship center where God might be found and worshiped. While this was admirable of David, God wanted to then, just as He wants to now, remind us that He is not contained in a box that can be carried around by mankind, nor in a very beautiful Cathedral, where you will only find Him while inside that Cathedral. In fact He takes us back to the basics in reminding us that He made heaven and earth, so we are encouraged to meet with Him any where, any time and any place. Let’s learn to worship Him in His holiness from grateful hearts, and not wait to be in a particular place where we may not even recognize the ‘Great I Am’.

APPLICATION:   I would imagine that a first time visitor to church might become very confused, when they hear a testimony of God being in a Hospice room as their loved one died. Then they hear another believer speak of how real God’s presence was when they needed him while in the Operating Waiting Room desperately waiting to receive an update on their loved one. And while pondering all this, the Praise Team begins singing ‘He is Here, Hallelujah’. Friends, we hear stories of God being so real to people out in the fiercest storms, and we hear of God being so very near to a friend, or to us in the most quiet room. Some might wonder why then is it necessary to attend church to meet God? Not only does the Bible teach us to ‘assemble ourselves together with other believers’, but it also teaches that we allow ‘iron to sharpen iron’ – with an understanding that other believers encourage us, while we also encourage them. You might quickly respond that you have nothing to offer, or encourage anyone with, and I would totally believe you. However, if one little bit of Jesus might shine through you as you love on, and encourage others, then God has accomplished His work through you. Please try not to ‘box God in’. Not in your mind, as to limiting His capabilities; or in a certain place where He may be found, as He is here – hallelujah; or for certain people who is good enough, as He came for everyone who would come to Him and invite Him into their lives. In case you haven’t picked up on my drift yet, let me assure you that I serve an awesome God! He’s my Savior, Lord, soon coming King and Eternal Master! And the best news yet, is that He can be yours also! Please read over my Footnote for help in meeting my Lord. I’m convinced that He wants You in His eternal kingdom, if you would have Him be a part of your life today!

PRAYER:   Precious Lord and eternal Father, thank You for loving me enough to sacrifice Your very own Son to open the doors of heaven to all who would believe and accept You as Lord. I am overjoyed that this ‘Gift’ is still available to those who have procrastinated for so long. Now Lord, please open the minds of those You have created, and instill within them the wisdom of knowing the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Lord, and the King of all kings both now and forevermore. 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 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!

 

How to Find Much Needed Rest

On By Ed AlgreenIn ObedienceLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  F0R REFLECTION:   Matthew 11:28-30 (ERV)

TEXT:  28 “Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. 30 Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light.”

OBSERVATION:   I’m sure that Jesus saw how busy everyone around Him was, and He also knew how much worse that would probably get with each generation to come. Jesus knew the importance of taking time to rest the body, soul and mind, but He also knew that He had provided for it in His Word and His teachings, so He had to really get to the hearts and minds of mankind, who was starting to find more value in busyness than in regenerating himself through peace, relaxation and renewal. There should never be a time in our lives that we feel there is way too much for us to do, to stop and rest for a whole day. Let’s look closer at the Word of God on this matter.

APPLICATION:   This will either be a very challenging devotion to write or it will be a welcoming reminder to me as I write what I felt on my heart as I read this Scripture. Way back in Exodus 23:12 after God had just created the earth and mankind, He knew that man just could not hold up to working 7 days per week, so He ordered that one of those days be considered a day of rest and worship – a Sabbath. Notice that this was a command and not a suggestion, because the God who created us, knew what our mortal bodies need in order to function properly. A friend once told me of two axe-men working in the forest, One was so busy and dedicated to his work that he would just swing that axe all day. His partner would stop every other hour and sharpen his axe while taking a much needed rest. At the end of the day, who do you suppose cut down the most trees? In the Exodus story, the Israelites who violated the Sabbath law, paid for their sin with his or her life. Did you know that today the death penalty is still in effect, however it’s a gradual death that comes from overwork, stress and anxiety? To observe a Sabbath day of rest is to announce, “God knows what I need more than I do. If He says to rest, I will rest.” And as we do, our bodies and minds will be refreshed. In a book written by Max Lucado entitled ‘Less Fret, More Faith’ he offers the following suggestions to refresh our body, soul and mind:

  • Don’t overdo it. Understand your limits. If you think you have no limits, then you have more than most people.
  • Once you have reached your limits, stop. Don’t work until you drop. Find a pace of life that works for you, and stick to it.
  • Maintain regular breaks during the day. Naps are biblical.
  • Give your mind a rest from technology. Turn off, unplug, detach from social media, news, and all the tech toys that deplete energy.
  • Learn to relax. To relax is to disengage and let go. An hour or daylong Sabbath is not the time to catch up with your work. It is a time to entrust your work to God. After all, He worked for six days and then rested. The world didn’t fall apart. It won’t for you either.

Friends, our churches are falling apart because folk are attending out of habit, but they are so tired that they sit there and either fall asleep or they are in ‘lala’ land because of the many things on their mind. Let me encourage you at the very beginning of a promising new year, to make it a year that you manage your time better. Be sure that there is time for God, for your spouse, your children and most importantly, time for yourself. Aim at putting some balance into your life, so that we may spend more quality time with Christ and find sweet rest for our souls. We will become much more productive in life, and hopefully conform better with the design God has intended for our lives!

PRAYER:   Lord Jesus, You designed us to rest, to worship You, and to be children of the King, who would share that joy with others. We have realized how impossible this is when we are always tired beyond words. Thank You for Your precious Word today that reminds us of the importance of keeping a good time balance in our lives. Lord may we be obedient to all You have directed, and may we be found faithful to all you have commanded of us. Please help us to realize the importance of being obedient to You, vs working ourselves to pieces in order to try and impress others. Rest comes only in You, while more and more stress and endless work, comes from trying to impress others. Use us today to touch the lives of others, even in the area of prioritizing our time of rest. 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 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!

 

It Takes Faith!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Faith, Faith in Action, Faithful, Faithfulness, Genuine FaithLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Hebrews 11:6-7 (ERV)

TEXT:  6 Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.

7 Noah was warned by God about things that he could not yet see. But he had faith and respect for God, so he built a large boat to save his family. With his faith, Noah showed that the world was wrong. And he became one of those who are made right with God through faith.

OBSERVATION:   In this chapter of Hebrews we see where faith in God brought new life, new concepts and new miracles to all who believed in Him. In the example shown in verse 7, Noah had faith to believe God that He would send something to the earth for the very first time – ‘rain’. In fact he went further by believing that God would send so much rain that the whole earth would be flooded, so he set out to build a boat to protect the lives of he and his family. Soon God wanted Noah to build that boat much bigger to also include two of every living species. Can you imagine the mockery that Noah experienced during this construction? Yet his faith remained strong! How’s your faith?

APPLICATION:   There are many that God has sent us to minister to, who will tell us that we must be nuts to believe that Jesus died, and actually arose from the dead. Yet they will ask us to pray when their loved one is sick or possibly dying. What kind of faith are they expressing in each of those cases? In some home countries of my readers, non-believing leaders have closed the door to prayer in our schools, yet for the next exam they encourage their kids to pray hard for good grades!! Faith – what is it to some folk? They will say they have no faith in God, because they can’t see Him. Yet they fill their gas tanks in their cars, and although they never see the gas or the tank, some gauge inside tells them how much is in their tank, and they have faith to believe that! Friends, God has proven Himself in many ways to us in 2017, and for those who will trust Him, because they have faith in His existence; His promises; and His all powerful hand; we can look forward to all that He will have in store for us in 2018. Faith means that things are not necessarily all planned ahead for us, although God has the foreknowledge and power to do that, but as we place our faith and trust in the One who loved us enough to sacrifice His life for us, and as we place our faith in the One who promised to never leave us alone, and faith in the One who promised that He has prepared a place for us, so that we may rule and reign with Him while worshiping our blessed Lord, then we will know that 2018 will be filled with anticipation of all that God has in store for us, to bless us, to love on us, and to provide encouragement for us to continue living for Him until He returns to take us home! Praise the wonderful name of Jesus!

PRAYER:   Lord Jesus, we have no reason to doubt Your love and Your almighty power towards Your children. Knowing that You can do ALL things, just as you have already proven to us, gives us faith to place our full trust in You. Please help our unbelief and touch the lives of those that have chosen to ignore the mighty works of our King. Lord, I’m sure that we will need you more in 2018 than we’ve ever need You before. Please help us to stay strong in our faith, and to always stay connected to You in everything. You are a awesome God – one that we can place full faith, trust and deliverance in. 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 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!

 

Your Purpose in the local Church

On By Ed AlgreenIn Church, Church attendance, Church growth, Church Leaders, The ChurchLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Saturday, 2017-12-30
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Acts 6:2-4 (AMP)

Text:

 2 So the Twelve called the disciples together and said, “It is not appropriate for us to neglect [teaching] the word of God in order to serve tables and manage the distribution of food. 3 Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will [continue to] devote ourselves [steadfastly] to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
OBSERVATION:
The apostles were working hard in the ministry of the Word – teaching and preaching, but they heard rumblings that the poor were not being attended to. Instead of them distracting themselves from their convictions about the ministry they were responsible for, they set out to choose seven additional men for that purpose. I want us to think about the purpose that God has placed us in His church? We are about to start a New Year, Lord willing. What does God have in store for you to do in His ministry next year?
APPLICATION:
In just the first few verses of this chapter in Acts we see a few different categories of church attendees. I believe that it would behoove us to examine ourselves before God and identify which group we belong to – or should be striving to achieve. Here are the groups I see, and I will call them what most churches seem to use today:

  1. Pastors and Elders: I believe that these are what this Scripture referred to as ‘Apostles’. It was clear from the Scripture that these men took the serious responsibility of prayer and ministry of the word – teaching and preaching.
  2. Deacons: I believe that our deacons today are the equivalent of the servants chosen and ordained to help with the serving and administering of the church affairs. These men had to fit the parameters outlined by the apostles. I believe this is important for the church today also, because these men are not just representing the church as they go out to help the poor, but they are also representing God.
  3. The Support Team: This would be the congregation who is a part of the church with a very warm and sincere heart. A heart that is in constant prayer for the ministry, and supports the decisions made by their leaders, knowing that those godly men serve as a result of their faithful, personal prayers. As in the case of Moses’ arms being lifted up as he led the battle, so are these folk lifting up their Pastors, Elders and Deacons. These great folk consists of the men and women who will serve as lay leaders and a group from whom the next set of ordained leaders will be chosen.
  4. The whiners and complainers: You might say that this group is good for the church as they alert Pastors, Elders and Deacons to things that others may not see. While this could be true, I want you to remember what it feels like to have a thorn stuck in your side all day! Where this group could become helpful, is if they become Positively Critical. This happens when they pray for the success of their leaders and the strength, maturity and growth of the church body. You will always be very positive for those you pray favorably for, and your whining and complaints will become concerns that you want to help resolve and/or pray for!
  5. The uncommitted: Unfortunately there are many who are uncommitted in their marriage, their workplace and in their church.  Some are known in church circles as Christmas and Easter Christians, because that’s the only time they make an effort to attend church. Some are hit and miss on attending church at all, but since they were raised and baptized in that church, they consider that their church home. Unfortunately these folk tend to be undependable about attending classes or learning more about God, because they are uncommitted to Him and His church.

Friends, I believe that you will fit into one of the above groups. But I hope that you are always striving to grow and mature into the next group up. Jesus was perfect, and I believe it would thrill His heart to see us grow and mature into a perfect church under His leadership and development.
PRAYER:
Lord You are faithful to us, even when we are sometimes unworthy and unusable in Your ministry here on earth. Thank You for reaching into our hearts and awakening us from the grip of Satan, and the evil so prevalent in this world. As in any army battling evil and wrong doing, we continually need a few more good men and women to work in Your ministry to try and reach the lost and needy of our community. Please touch us Lord, help us to be Your arms extended and outreached to show the love of Jesus in every way and in everything we do. May our commitment and willingness to serve reach way beyond the four walls of our churches, and wherever man is found. I am so looking forward to the day that we will all look full into the eyes of our blessed Savior and sing Your praises throughout all eternity. Come Lord Jesus, come! 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 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 Highlands County, 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!

Things You Might Do Under Pressure

On By Ed AlgreenIn Commitment, Evangelism, EvangelizeLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Friday, 2017-12-29
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Acts 5:40-42 (ERV)

Text:

 40 They called the apostles in, had them whipped, and ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus; and then they set them free. 41 As the apostles left the Council, they were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus. 42 And every day in the Temple and in people’s homes they continued to teach and preach the Good News about Jesus the Messiah.
OBSERVATION:
For the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, the apostles were sent to jail. However, the prison door were soon opened by God, and the apostles were able to escape. Because they immediately returned to preaching and teaching, the king ordered that they be brought before him and his council. It is evident from the preceding verses that the intent was to kill these men, however one wise priest, Gamaliel, convinced the king that to kill these men, might be like trying to kill God, if they are correct in reporting on who their Master truly is. It is interesting to see what the apostles’ thought of their arrest, their whipping and their warnings upon their release. I wonder how many of us would do the same as the apostles?
APPLICATION:
If the above story was written in today’s news journals, it probably would have had a much different twist. I could see a lot of emphasis being placed on how badly they were beaten – hoping to accuse the palace of battering, and possibly finding reasons why these men were beaten and not other evangelists just like them. I could hear the comments of how long the men should have been imprisoned, for deliberately disobeying the king. I wonder how many ‘Gamiliels’ there would have been who tried to speak to the king on behalf of the apostles/evangelists. I wonder how many government leaders would have stood up to this group for fear of losing votes during the next election, because of their stand. The same applies to leaders who would not have challenged these men, because of their personal faith in God and their conviction of spreading the gospel to an impoverished world. Now, let’s consider the apostles. If a group of us just got out of jail, went back to preaching, and immediately arrested, beaten and warned again, I wonder what we would do? Many churches have closed down over recent years for various reasons. Do you suppose that this would have been yet another reason for church leaders to close the doors and go underground? Friends, what I was really touched by, is the rejoicing from the apostles as they left the meeting with the government leaders, because they were allowed the privilege of suffering for spreading the news of their Savior. Wow, when last have you heard of church leaders rejoicing over the fact that they suffered because of their commitment to, and spreading the news of, Jesus Christ? Thankfully in some countries we are blessed with the privilege of freely preaching the Word of God. However in those same countries, we are already being warned of our freedoms – no prayer in schools; most work places will not allow us to display or share God with customers or fellow employees; some may be arrested if special permits are not obtained for ministering on street corners; etc, etc. In this whole thought today, please know that this message is for you, not for your preacher, or your elders, deacons or Sunday School teachers. Any child of God should be a minister of the same Gospel that saved them. Are you?
PRAYER:
Lord, You are our Savior and our King. If we seriously believe that, we should be willing to tell the world about that. However Lord, we know that Satan will try in every way to cause us to cower and hide the joy of the Lord in our witness to others. I am reminded of a chorus “it you’re happy and you know it say AMEN”, and the last verse goes on to celebrate “if you’re saved and you know it say AMEN”. Oh how I wish that we could all sing that openly as our testimony in every place that we go any day of the week, not just in Sunday School. Savior, You were beaten and crucified publicly to show Your love for us and to save us from our sins. May we be willing to share that love publicly without fear of human rejection or mockery. Thank you for giving to us Lord, may we learn to give more to You so that the lost might know and believe. 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 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 Highlands County, 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!

Who Are You Lying To?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Moment of Truth, Salvation, Saved, True to the WordLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Wednesday, 2017-12-27
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Acts 5:3-4 (MSG)

Text:

 3-4 Peter said, “Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to God.”
OBSERVATION:
In chapter 4, we were told about how unified the disciples and Christians were in living together and pooling their resources to create community, and dependencies on one another. Joseph, also called Barnabas, showed a huge example of this by giving to the disciples 100% of what he sold a piece of land for. Another couple, Ananias and Sapphira wanted to be just like Barnabas, so they also sold land, but they decided to hold back a portion, and give the remainder to the disciples, under the pretense that it was the full amount. God hates pretense, so we need to look at this closer…
APPLICATION:
When God knows right down to our innermost thoughts, what do you suppose that we prove by trying to hold out on Him, or anyone else? Personally, I remember in tithing where I gave a full 10% of my net pay, and often when finances were tight, old Satan would cause me to question the amount I was giving to God. However, at a revival service we were challenged on our giving. We were invited to take our wallets out, and in our prayer to God ask Him to take control of all that He gives to us and allows us to earn. That night I was challenged to begin giving on my gross salary, so that I would be giving to God the first fruits of my earnings. Friends that was probably 10 – 13 years ago, and I have been blessed with the necessary finances ever since. Now, I don’t believe that this lesson is holy and solely about money, but more about the heart. The Christian faith is not one where we preach about doing what we say and not as much on what we do, for it is about a relationship with the Master Creator of this universe, including you and I. I once wrote a fairly complex software program that would run a whole bank. Whenever I received a call about something not working the way it should, my mind would go to all the possible programming around that part of the program. Why then do we feel like we can get away with Satan’s tactics when God, the Creator, knows so much about His precious creation? Do we think for a moment that we are fooling God – the Maker of all things, or are we simply fooling ourselves by thinking that we could pull off our shenanigans without anyone knowing – even God? It just doesn’t work that way friends? Mom, dad, sisters, brothers, friends, coworkers, pastors and everyone else might not realize what we are up to, but the God who created us, and knows all things, always has His finger on the pulse of what is going on in our lives. So why not ‘fess up friends, and do it right the first time, and every time, by asking God to forgive you of all your past sin. Welcome His Son, Jesus, into your heart and life and create a personal relationship with Him, then through the power of the Holy Spirit, ask Him to show you how to live in accordance with His perfect will. Others will soon question you about what has happened in your life, because of the change evident in your walk and in your talk. God can do just that for you, my friend, if you’ll let Him.
PRAYER:
Precious Savior, thank You for being a stable friend that we can depend on and place our faith in. A plumb-line by which we can measure right from wrong, and a loyal friend that we can depend on through all phases of life. I personally thank You for persuading me to surrender my life to You many years ago, but I am just as dependent on You today as I have always been, because I want to live life perfectly and in accordance with Your will, even in a broken and sinful world. For my readers and I that are serious about our relationship with You, please help us to live like You taught us to, and talk like You exampled for us while You were here on earth. For the curious and the lost, please soften their hearts once again today Lord, and may they be reminded about the truths of Your Word in several ways today – to the point that it may cause them to surrender wholly and solely to You 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 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 Highlands County, 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!