Tag: Born Again

Transforming Faith: Lessons from Nicodemus

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s Word, SalvationLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Saturday, March 15, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read it in your Bible or click John 3:1-15 to read it in the New Living Translation (NLT).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
In 1987, my wife and I moved from the Bahamas to Florida. There was quite a challenge in the transition. After going through all government paperwork and approvals, we were allowed to live in Florida. But although we had visited many times, yet there was quite the transition to fit in with the natives and become a part of their world. In 2024 we felt led to move to Texas to be near our daughter and son-in-law living there. Just recently we were reflecting on the challenges we faced with the move, for again we wanted to fit in with the natives living there. In our Scripture, one of the rich Pharisaical leaders saw something unique about Jesus and His ministry so he wanted to understand it better and see if it was worth transitioning to the teachings of Jesus. When many come to church for the first time, they are probably like Nicodemus, who heard about the healing power of Jesus Christ. Something catches the attention of a non-Christian who then becomes curious of what these Christians do each week! Let me share with you that this is a lot deeper than most of you might think. For you see, the sinner wants nothing to do with Jesus, for Satan has given them much to enjoy here on earth. They are living their life of sin and Satan’s grip on them, and they are bound and powerless to handle anything Godly. However, the Holy Spirit takes responsibility for nudging the heart of one who needs Jesus. So although one attributes the good music, or the outstanding and charismatic preaching and teaching that their friends brag on at their church down the road, it’s not until the Holy Spirit steps in and pricks the heart of a person that they are able to look beyond their sin and recognize the miracles of God, the love of their Creator and the salvation offered through the sacrificed blood of Jesus Christ. I’m sure that Nicodemus felt like he had it all, knew it all, and was in a good spot with the religious leaders of his day, but suddenly he became enthused about the miracles of Jesus! That’s not normal without the tug of the Holy Spirit. I am convinced that this was not a coincidence, but rather, this was the day of salvation for this man, as God ordained it through the Holy Spirit to Nicodemus. Although there was not a list of tips and ideas for Nicodemus on how to make the transition to be a Jesus follower, Jesus knew exactly where he was, his level of understanding, and his need for a Savior. In the lessons taught to Nicodemus by Jesus, as outlined in today’s Scripture, they may seem strange to us, but when Jesus calls on us, He speaks to us where we are at – educationally, in the circumstances of our life, and our mindset about needing to change. There are some deep theological ideas about what Jesus meant and the reasons why He responded to Nicodemus the way He did, but lets try hard to recognize that it takes a total rebirth in our heart, thoughts and desires to transition from a worldly life of sin, to a life in Jesus, the only sinless One – a life that leads to eternity in heaven. Money didn’t do it for Nicodemus, nor did it help that he was a leader in his religious rights. Nothing, but the blood of Jesus can wash away our sin and make us new again. But verse 16 goes on to reassure us that this change is available to ALL who would believe on Him (Jesus). I pray that this will be your day of decision dear friends. Believe on the name of Jesus, and just like Nicodemus, you will be saved! I have experienced it, and so can you!

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, thank You for the assurance of our salvation, and the promise of eternity in heaven with You and the Father at a time already allotted by You. Thank You for blessing us with opportunities to share our testimony and experiences as children of our heavenly King. Please teach and empower us with opportunities to help redirect others towards heaven, and always help us to be ready to share the hope that lies within us. Please give us opportunities today, and prepare the hearts of those who need our meager influence, but the needed encouragement to hear Your voice calling them to salvation. May You be lifted up, and may many come to know You today – before it is too late. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. One of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals or subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, I encourage you to find a church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you make every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

Living Your Faith: Practical Applications of James’ Teachings

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, Eternal Life, Eternity, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Sunday, January 26, 2025, and I was blessed to be in Kyle, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Quoted from the Good News Translation (GNT) and found in James 2:14-26 (Click to open and read)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I maintain that the Word of God is all sufficient and covers every aspect of life for which we need help, comfort or direction. It is amazing, dear friends! But less we become confused, or should we totally misunderstand what James is teaching us here, perhaps we should look at a few real-life examples. Such as: If a man and woman marries and the man continues his life-long hobbies with his buddies, leaving very little time to spend with his new wife, will that marriage survive? I doubt it! Plus, if family and friends never see the couple together, or either of them showing affection towards each other, or lovingly doing things for each other, will others ever believe that they are married? I doubt it. If your friends heard that you are a fisherman, but they notice that you don’t own a boat, or you never go out fishing, or never sell seafood, will they ever believe you are a fisherman? I doubt it. So it is with Christianity my friends, and I believe that this is what James wanted to draw our attention to. Christian loved ones will probably drive us to attend church with them, and we may get caught up in the charisma and excitement of the preaching or the exceptional worship team, and we may walk the isle to impress our friends and/or the pastor. An elder may pray over us, but what difference does it make in our lives on Monday morning? In God’s Word we are told that we are to leave behind the things of this world and follow Christ. That tells me that we are to make a 180 degree turn from the things we once did, for the things, and teachings, of Jesus Christ is always opposite to that the world, or its leader, Satan, would lead us to do. When this change is not noticed by those who know you, then James is teaching us to go back to square one and make sure that we are saved. When we surrender lordship of our lives to Jesus Christ, we become a band new man, or woman, for our lifestyle changes, our vocabulary changes, we become a helpful person who loves God’s children and want to lead them to the Savior we love. These things are quite the opposite to the old ridiculing, persecuting, selfish, greedy, hateful personal we once were. But unless we totally miss the point, we must pay close attention to verses 23-24 where James uses the example of Abraham. For many will look at the self-controlled man that Abraham was when he followed the instructions of God to take his son with him up to the place of sacrifice, then build a fire, and then place his very son on the wood altar as a sacrifice. Friends, that took guts, so we may tend to believe that anyone who is so strong, they must be a born again Christian. But for those of us who look to the Bible for it’s full instruction, we will remember that in Genesis 15:6 the Word tells us that ‘Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith’. So I believe the Bible is clear in presenting you with a million dollar question today: ‘Have you believed in the Son of God?’. If you haven’t, then I believe James is teaching us to recognize that we are only spinning our wheels with our church attendance, giving generously to the work of the church, being kind to the widow down the street who always respects you, etc. Instead, dear friends, take the Word of God seriously and believe that Jesus died and rose again for all mankind, knowing that those who believe in Him will not perish, but will enjoy eternal life in glory with He and the Father! Believe, commit, enjoy and obey the Word of God dear friends, and your actions and intents will be known to God and those around you. He has prepared a place for you in heaven, but you must prepare for that gift of eternal life today, while here on earth. Be sure that you take the Bible seriously dear friends and be obedient to its teachings.

PRAYER
Thank you precious Lord for Your sacrifice and the gift that You offer to those who believe in You. Every time we listen in to the news we hear nothing but trouble and strife, and these are not from You. James reminded us today that Abraham believe in God and he was saved – gifted with eternal life in heaven. Please help us to be obedient children and believe on the name of Jesus to receive the gift of eternal life, as the Bible teaches in John 3:16. James helps us to reflect on the seriousness of our commitment to You by honestly reviewing our actions for the proof of who has lordship over us. God knows all things – even to our innermost thoughts, so He knows where we stand. Oh that He may invoke to us a strong sense of where we are spiritually, so that we can sing praises to You or strengthen our petitions before You today, God being our Helper and Guide. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. I would also suggest that you speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com and share your good news! Perhaps one of God’s servants will pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby 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 being a part of that, while also growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Born Again?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, Eternal Life, Faith, Heaven, Humility, RighteousnessLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: John 3

OBSERVATION

John 3:3-7 ~ Jesus replied, “I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God’s kingdom!” Nicodemus asked, “How can a grown man ever be born a second time?” Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that before you can get into God’s kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit. Humans give life to their children. Yet only God’s Spirit can change you into a child of God. Don’t be surprised when I say that you must be born from above.

APPLICATION

We often hear the terminology “You must be born again” or “You must accept Jesus as Lord” in order to enter into heaven one day. To those that are unfamiliar with the Word of God, it must be difficult to understand this terminology, and it must sound to you like it did to Nicodemus in these verses. However, Jesus explained that just as in our natural birth we are born from the womb through water into a new birth – a true transformation, the second birth is from a natural sinful life through the Spirit of God that will give us a brand new birth in Christ, another transformation. It is as easy as A, B, C to do this. Be ready by ADMITting that you are a sinner in need of a Savior (Jesus). BELIEVE that Jesus is Lord and that only He can save you and give you access into heaven. Then CONFESS your sin to Jesus and ask His forgiveness. It’s as simple as that, Admit, Believe and Confess. Do this and you will be saved, friend! Go then and tell your friends about the change/transformation that has occurred in your life!

PRAYER

Father I thank You for saving me, and for forgiving me of my sin, and giving me life eternal. Please speak to anyone reading this today and convince them of any decisions that they need to make. Please tender the hearts of my family and loved ones that still need to surrender their lives to You. May this be a day of decision for them. May they go to bed tonight with the assurance of knowing that they have made the most important decision of their life and that it is a positive decision towards knowing You as their personal Savior. As this is read, decisions will be made. One decision will be to accept Jesus as Lord or the alternative is to continue a life without Christ that could be into eternal damnation (Hell) before the sun sets tonight. I love my family and friends too much to know that any of them will make the latter decision, so please soften their hearts even now dear Jesus.