Tag: Be Still

Be Calm and Pay Attention

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

DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2021-08-18
WRITTEN AT: Hattiesburg, MS

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 46:10-11
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 10 Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth. 11 Here he stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! …

APPLICATION: Do you suppose that God created us in His image, loved us unconditionally, provided the means for us to move from this old sinful world into the glories of heaven, yet He places us here on earth to endure sorrow, hardships, loss of loved ones, and pain that often seems too hard to bear? What if you add into the mix of those thoughts, the idea that God gave us free will, or options/choices, that we could make on our own? I believe we could then see how we would might often divert from God’s ordeals, and meander down a path that becomes very slippery, muddy, or clouded with doubt, unbelief, selfishness, greed, etc. At some point we will look around and realize that we have taken ourselves down a road that led us into doubt, financial failure and hatred to our fellow man. Often we will then question why God allowed us to get like that, and we may even question whether God still truly loves us. But friends, I hope that we could today catch a glimpse of the loving and caring God that we serve. As we commit ourselves to Him, and as we allow Him to guide and direct us, we will see that He is indeed working all things out for our good. I believe that God is encouraging us today, through His Word, to keep our eyes fixed on Him. Not the circumstances around us, for He has everything under control! Satan is the master of confusion and responsible for distracting us from the path that leads to God. Satan knows that our minds are made to doubt and look at the worst possible outcome, so when we see young dads losing an unexpected bout to Covid, and we hear of relatives who are struggling for dear life as they fight off the pain and discomfort of this dreaded disease, we then begin to question if God is still there and allowing so much bad to come to His chosen children. But I believe that God is calming the waters around us and saying: ‘Just trust me dear child. I never promised you a set number of years. I endured heartache and hatred and was punished by children that I made and loved, so surely you will also face challenges while here on this old sinful earth as you follow in my footsteps. But stand still my child, for nothing is occurring that I am unaware of. I am still in control and will cause all things to work for good, to those who trust in Me. Yes, stand still, and just watch as things unfold before you. In the end, you will see what I was up to. In the meantime, be still and worship me anyways, knowing full well that I am God and I will always do those things that you expect of God’. My works and my message is signed in blood – the blood of my precious and perfect Son, Jesus.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Regardless of our anxious minds and our questions of all that occurs around us, we still serve a God of love, peace and joy. He has our best interest at heart, and He will be glorified through every work that He ordains.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, it is so natural to respond like the world expects – panicked, frustrated, hateful, revengeful, etc. Thank you for reminding my readers, listeners and I that You are still in control, even in a world that seems to be so out of control. There are times that as mere humans, we are ready to throw our hands up, as we just can’t imagine the world continuing in its present state. This seems like an anxious spirit of which You are guarding us against in Your Word today. Thank You for the reassurance that You are always in charge of our lives, and of everything that occurs around us, so there is no need to become anxious or fearful or troubled. Praise be to our God on high, ‘You’ve got this’, and we can calmly relax and be happy in the 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!

Be Still, Listen and Obey!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Control, Faith, Listen, SurrenderLeave a comment

Thursday, 2020-01-02

Bible Reference: Psalm 46:9-11
Translation: The Message (MSG)

Bible Text:  “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, GOD-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

OBSERVATION: I’m not on Facebook as much as some are, but by now I have seen many evaluations of 2019 – good and bad, and then I have seen many wishes for 2020 – worldly and spiritual. Whether you’re a Facebook fan or not, it’s a place where people express their views, and often where many look for your response to their views. But that is really not the best place to look for your ideal advice, because some may wish to simply express their most far-out ideas with hopes of stirring up a good conversation. As we meditate on today’s Scripture we are reminded that we serve a God who fights for us and protects us.

APPLICATION:  Unfortunately, I believe that what we read on Facebook, expresses the minds and thoughts of the average person alive today. But when I read this passage of scripture in various translations, God helped me to  realize that Facebook is not the place I should go to for a spiritual meter on how well God did in 2019 nor a general opinion about how He might rule in 2020. Here are some of the thoughts that I believe God wanted me to discern in my study today: a) Get away from the noises of this world. Get to a place where it’s just you and God. ‘Step out of the traffic’ of everyday noises and seek the face of God. ‘Be still and know that I am God’ is the way one version put it; b) Don’t be one to look for the general consensus of the world, or even the church, but reflect on the proven power of your God and be reminded of His awesome power. Know that He is in control of each one of us, and if we allow Him to direct our path and control our tongues, then perhaps we too can be used for His glory, and then we just might see God’s mighty works performed in our land. We should be reminded that God is in charge of us individually; our families; our respective churches; our workplaces; our towns; yes, everywhere and in everything that He has created. Knowing all this then, why would we worry our little heads with what might happen in each of these scenarios? In other words, we have no idea what may happen in our lives – health-wise, relationship-wise or in any other area of our lives, but after being reminded of who’s in charge, will our worries amount to anything other than degrading our mental health? Friends, you can say the same things about each of the other scenarios mentioned. For the United States, we are entering into a year of presidential elections. God is telling U.S. Christians to be still and know that He is God over everything in our lives, especially our elections. We are told in Romans 13 that God places our rulers in authority over us, so are we worrying our little heads because we fear that God might mess up? Be still Brothers , and know that He is God over everything that we know and have committed to Him. Sisters, be still and allow God to be God. He is very capable, willing and able to handle our affairs today, just as He did for Jacob, Moses and all other Biblical accounts written in God’s Word to support our theory on this. Be still! Listen! Surrender control to God and return thanks to Him in all things!

PRAYER: Lord God, we acknowledge that You are indeed God of our lives, and God of this universe. Please forgive us for so often trying to reverse that order, especially when we think that we know better than You, how things should go here on earth. Thanks for the reminder that You made it all and that You are still very capable of managing everything – even today. Forgive us Lord for our lack of faith. Even as I write this, I am very concerned about many matters that I already know are hot agenda items this year. Please forgive me, and give me extra strength and boldness to declare Your glory, Your power and Your majesty as You continue to control my ‘world’. I am very weak, but praise be to the God of this universe, You are immensely strong, and very much in control of Your creation. In total surrender, I join with my Christian Brothers and Sisters – Your servants, to lead the pack in glorifying You as our Leader, our God, our Savior and our Lord. For these things, and all for Your glory, I ask all this in Your strong and mighty name, ‘Jesus’ my Lord, AMEN!

Stop, Drop, Listen and Obey!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Control, Faith, Listen, SurrenderLeave a comment

May I encourage you to incorporate your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ into starting your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider even us, to nourish us for His glory, through His Holy Word! Read on and be blessed!

The Bible Translation: The Message
The Bible Reference: Psalm 46:9-11
The Bible Text: “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, GOD-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

My Take Away: I’m not on Facebook a whole lot, but by now I have seen many evaluations of 2015 – good and bad, and then I have seen many wishes for 2016 – worldly and spiritual. Whether you’re a Facebook fan or not, it’s a place where people express their views. Unfortunately, I believe that what I have read, expresses the minds and thoughts of the average person alive today. But when I read this passage of scripture in various translations, God helped me to  realize that Facebook is not the place I should go to for a spiritual meter on how well God did in 2015 nor a general opinion about how He might rule in 2016. Here are some of the thoughts that I believe God embedded in my mind during my study today: a) Get away from the noises of this world. Get to a place where it’s just you and God. ‘Step out of the traffic’ of everyday noises and seek the face of God. ‘Be still and know that I am God’ is the way one version put it. b) Don’t be one to look for the general consensus of the world, or even the church, but reflect on the proven power of your God and be reminded of His awesome power. Know that He is in control of each one of us, and if we allow Him to direct our path and control our tongues, then perhaps we too can be used for His glory, and then we just might see God’s mighty works performed in our land. We should be reminded that God is in charge of us individually; our families; our respective churches; our workplaces; our towns; yes, everywhere and in everything that He has created. Knowing all this then, why would we worry our pretty little heads with what might happen in each of these scenarios? In other words, we have no idea what may happen in our lives – health-wise, relationship-wise or in any other area of our lives, but after being reminded of who’s in charge, will our worries amount to anything other than degrading our mental health? Friends, you can say the same things about each of the other scenarios mentioned. For the United States, we have entered into a year of major elections. God is telling U.S. Christians to be still and know that He is God over everything in our lives, especially our elections. We are told in Romans 13 that God places our rulers in authority over us, so are we worrying our little heads because we fear that God might mess up? Be still Brothers , and know that He is God over everything that we know and have committed to Him. Sisters, be still and allow God to be God. He is very capable, willing and able to handle our affairs today, just as He did for Jacob, Moses and all other Biblical accounts written in God’s Word to support our theory on this. Be still! Listen! Surrender control to God and return thanks to Him in all things!

Prayer: Lord God, we acknowledge that You are indeed God of our lives, and God of this universe. Please forgive us for so often trying to reverse that order, especially when we think that we know better than You, how things should go here on earth. Thanks for the reminder that You made it all and that You are still very capable of managing everything, even today. Forgive us Lord for our lack of faith. Even as I write this, I am very concerned about many matters that I already know are hot agenda items this year, especially our national elections. Please forgive me, and give me extra strength and boldness to declare Your glory, Your power and Your majesty as You continue to control my ‘world’. I am very weak, but praise be to the God of this universe, You are immensely strong, and very much in control of Your creation. In total surrender, I join with my Christian Brothers and Sisters – Your servants, to lead the pack in glorifying You as our Leader, our God, our Savior and our Lord. For these things, and for Your glory, I ask all this in Your strong and mighty name, ‘Jesus’ my Lord, AMEN!

Footnote: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org 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!

2016