Tag: Calvary

The Prescription for Success

On By Ed AlgreenIn Devotion, For His Glory, Glory of God, God's Glory, LoyaltyLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Monday, 2020-03-14
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

Bible Reference: 2 Chronicles 31:20–21
Translation: Good News Translation (GNT)

Bible Text: 20 Throughout all Judah, King Hezekiah did what was right and what was pleasing to the Lord his God. 21 He was successful, because everything he did for the Temple or in observance of the Law, he did in a spirit of complete loyalty and devotion to his God.

APPLICATION: I can hardly imagine what our families, our churches, our cities and our nation would be like if we had men following the example of King Hezekiah today! We are told in verse 21 that this king was extremely successful because….. everything he did was in a spirit of complete loyalty and devotion to God! Wow! In Bible Studies we are often reminded about the importance of loving our spouse in complete loyalty and obedience to God, and we might hear testimonies about the difference these characteristics make in the life and marriage of couples who remain in love with each other through good, and yes, even through challenging times. I could only imagine how much better our workplaces would be if we (Christians) went to work with a spirit of complete loyalty and devotion to God. Friends, I know that many employers will not allow Christianity to be promoted within the confounds of the workplace, but what is inside of us cannot be taken away! We take Christ into our jobs through our lives – our actions, our stands on certain things, through our sincere dedication to our work and our bosses. Christians should be the best employees for any employer, if we do our jobs in complete loyalty and dedication to God. He will stop us from cheating, stealing, lying, gossiping, and any other ungodly actions. God will drive us towards being the best in everything expected of us by our employer. In addition to committing yourself to loyalty and devotion to God, please remember to daily pray God’s blessings on your supervisor and on your employer. Yes, even the boss that may seem hard and uncaring towards you. Just as Jesus made a difference in your life, He will also impact the life of your boss, or that difficult supervisor! As you meditate on this devotional and consider following this commitment, please notice that Hezekiah had no conditions to his commitment, and I believe we could deduce that his commitment was evident in every aspect of his life. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you, but our churches, our families, our workplaces, our schools and our social clubs are all suffering from the lack of commitment by those who tell the world that they belong to God. The Word says that as a result of Hezekiah’s commitment, many conditions changed for the good, and he was successful in everything he did. So will you join me in committing to be completely loyal and devoted to God in every aspect of your life? The world so badly needs Jesus, perhaps one dedicated child of God making a difference in their workplace, their homes, etc. will bring hope to those who need the Lord. Do your part dear friend, and pray for the same success that Hezekiah had!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I’m sure that You never intended for us to be an image of You for others to look on, but rather that we might imitate You in everything You have taught us though Your Word and Your actions, so that they may be convinced of their need for Jesus. Thank You for the life of Hezekiah and the commitment displayed by this servant in loyalty and devotion to You. This impacted his world! But still today, our world is in trouble and many need to see a few good men and women who are dedicated to the One they say they belong to. Lord, may they see from our commitment, loyalty and devotion to You, that Jesus is alive and well, because of the evidence they see each day in us. Please forgive us Lord for the times we have acted just like the world, and not been a pure replica of You. Please help us to never be a stumbling block that prevents Your impact on the lost. Oh that You may be glorified and recognized in us, and may You be glorified on earth, as You are in Heaven! 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!

No Crown Without The Cross

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

DATE POSTED Sunday, 2022-03-13
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 20:20-22
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: 20 Then [Salome] the mother of Zebedee’s children [James and John] came up to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down [in respect], asked a favor of Him. 21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit [in positions of honor and authority] one on Your right and one on Your left.” 22 But Jesus replied, “You do not realize what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup [of suffering] that I am about to drink?”…

APPLICATION: I have heard so many parents say that they have sacrificed so much, so that their children might be blessed with a life that’s not bogged down by poverty, lack of proper schooling, and lack of opportunity. On the flip side, I hear many adults pass comments about our young people and how spoiled they are; how they hate hard work; how they act like the world owes them everything. Considering the comments from all the adults, I wonder if all that parents did for their kids led to the results that employers are seeing today? In the working field, I witnessed some who started at the bottom of the ladder and worked themselves up through every position in the company. But I also witnessed some employees who were friends of the owner, or they had lots of educational degrees, so they were placed right at the top, since they are so smart. I’m sure that it is easy to see the advantages in both these scenarios. It is easy for the longtime worker to supervise, because from experience they know ever job task that they are supervising. So they could help their workers through problems, and they could best monitor expectations because they did the same job at one point. For the new, ‘smart’ person coming in, they may have learned the professional way of managing their staff, as long as they don’t ask for help. When Salome went before Jesus demanding top positions for her boys, I’m sure she could give witness to how good, loyal, smart and committed they had been up to that point, but I believe that Jesus wanted her, and us, to know that unless we know and participate in every phase of ministry; been through the ups and downs of living in glass houses; prepared to be punished in the public square and hung on a cross for doing good, then we may not be ready for the crown that the Master will place on our head. I’ve been witness to pastors and church leaders who have faced the unloving, revengeful and wrongful acts of those they served – kind’a like the cross that Jesus carried and hung on. Yet those leaders kept on serving, and didn’t sit back in a sense of achievement, or felt deserving of a crown of glory for their work and sacrifice. Friends, I believe that Jesus loves us so much that He stands ready to take us into His care and to celebrate before the Father when one merely accepts Him as Lord. But I also believe that in much the same way that some soldier of the cross may have helped us see the light of Jesus, He may be glorifying God as He sees us do all we can, with all that He has blessed us with, while we remain here on earth. While I believe we should keep our eyes fixed on eternity, and our crown, I also believe that Jesus might say to us like He may have felt with James and John – be about your Master’s work while you are on the field and see the need. Encourage the unbelievers, so that you may bring one, or two, or three or more with you when God calls you home to glory! Where do you stand on this dear friends?

BLESSING(S) NOTED: The fields are white, but the workers are few. Don’t look for the glory while there is still work to be done. A reward awaits us that is ‘out of this world’!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for preparing us for heaven! Thank You for directing us to the unsaved who need Jesus. Please prepare us to always be on mission, for as long as You leave us here on earth. May we never be satisfied in seeing people live, or die, without knowing full well where their destiny will take them. Help us to not miss opportunities to share Christ with everyone we meet, for the more we accomplish for the kingdom while here on earth, the more we will feel deserving of the crown that awaits. Please help us to be stedfast about our Father’s work, all for Your glory, honor and praise! 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!

Live By God’s Standards

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

DATE POSTED Saturday, 2022-03-12
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Leviticus 18:1-5
TRANSLATION: GOD’S WORD® Translation (GW)

BIBLE TEXT: 1 The LORD spoke to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites: I am the LORD your God. 3 You used to live in Egypt. Don’t live the way the Egyptians do. I am bringing you to Canaan. Don’t live the way the Canaanites do. Never live by their standards. 4 Follow my rules, and live by my standards. I am the LORD your God. 5 Live by my standards, and obey my rules. You will have life through them. I am the LORD.

APPLICATION: This message from God made me think of how God must feel when we move from one phase in life to another; one geographical location to another; and perhaps even in the case of a new Christian. In the case of the later, we welcome a new Christian into the faith, or perhaps into our church membership, but can we truly identify with them? It may be challenging for more mature Christians to remember what it was like as an unbeliever, so I become concerned whether we are careful enough to truly hold the hand of that new Christian and help them through the transition. If we don’t, then what will their guide be to help them truly assume the standards of God? Based on what God told the Israelites, I believe He is says to a new Christian: ‘look, I have called you out of that life given to sin and the things of the world’s leader (Satan), and I have called you to be my child. I want you to be holy, just as I am holy. In doing that, you will no longer characterize the way that unbelievers live, but rather in accordance with all that I have exampled for you’. But here is the challenge that should speak to each Christian meditating on this blog today: Which Christian man or woman would you think God would consider suitable for leading this new convert into the ways of God; loving the way that God loves; treating others the way that God does – regardless of race, color or creed? Let’s never forget that making a complete turnaround in the difference one once lived, to now live a totally changed life in the ways that God designed, and demands His children to live, is anything but easy or automatic. Having a mentor who can show the new Christian how it’s done, and to answer any questions that might arise in their mind, is something that might help both parties better honor the commands of God and follow His standards. God didn’t want the Israelites bringing the rotten ways of the Egyptians with them, nor did He want them picking up the bad habits and sin of the Canaanites. He wanted them to start anew in following Him – the God who brought them out of bondage and into the new land He had prepared for them. I’m sure that He has a similar message for all Christians today – don’t pick up the bad habits of those you hung around, but instead obey my commands and be true to my standards. God being my helper, I will seek to live in a way pleasing to Him. I pray that each reader and listener will be touched by God and determine in themselves do the same. May our lives be a true example of who Christ is.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God had blessed the Israelites; freed them from slavery by the Egyptians; prepared a new land for them that was rich in great food and other provisions; and He also blesses them during their transition from Egypt. Awesome to see that God wants His very best for us, in spite of all that He had already done for His people. He insisted that they shake off the bad habits and practices of the Egyptians, don’t plan on adopting any of the habits of the Canaanites, but instead live a life that’s pure in His sight. I believe He wants the same for us – to be like Him!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for wanting Your very best for us. Thank You for steering us away from the bad habits of yesterday – before we knew you, and also from the danger that lies ahead where we might be tempted to follow the bad habits of our new habitation. There is no one like You Lord! Thank You for teaching us to be more like You in all that we are. May we be an awesome example of Your love wherever we go and with whomever we come into contact with. Oh that they will see Jesus, and yearn to know You personally. 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!

Open Their Eyes

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Evangelize, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Worship1 Comment

DATE POSTED Friday, 2022-03-11
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Acts 26:17-20
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 17 The Lord also said, “I will protect you from the Jews and from the Gentiles that I am sending you to. 18 I want you to open their eyes, so they will turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then their sins will be forgiven, and by faith in me they will become part of God’s holy people.”
19 King Agrippa, I obeyed this vision from heaven. 20 First I preached to the people in Damascus, and then I went to Jerusalem and all over Judea. Finally, I went to the Gentiles and said, “Stop sinning and turn to God! Then prove what you have done by the way you live.”

APPLICATION: As I write this blog today, I am receiving notifications about an approaching thunderstorm. On radar it looks serious enough for me to go out and warn the neighbors. Summer time in Florida is always a time for residents to stay tuned to weather reports for possible hurricane developments. We not only go out of our way to tell neighbors of approaching hurricanes, but we jump in to help them secure their property from the ravishes of these dangerous weather systems. Break-ins sometimes happen no matter where we are located. No matter if it’s neighborhood watch teams or just neighbors who hear about this awful crime, we make sure that everyone knows and are best prepared to fend off the criminal, should they approach our home. We do each of these things without giving a second thought to being rejected or cursed out by our neighbors. Yet so many Christians will surrender to accepting this call of God because they fear rejection. Paul didn’t stop his efforts even while in prison, and even when he stood before the king. In fact, he was so bold that further down in verse 28 Agrippa was forced to ask Paul if he was trying to save him also! So what do you suppose might be your greatest fear in doing exactly what God ordered Paul to do? Fear of rejection might definitely play a vital part in your decision to remain silent about the love of God, but it definitely had no role in sharing the above news for the protection of property and people. Might it be that we are too ashamed of the job we have done in living out our salvation, and that we are afraid of embarrassing ourselves with a message that still hasn’t truly affected us yet? Friends, I believe that God will hold us, Christians, accountable for the way that we have hidden His grace, His forgiveness and His many blessings given to us. Deep inside, we seem to have hardened ourselves from boldly telling the world who we belong to, and how badly they need Jesus. How else will we open their eyes? If we know it, if we live it, and if we have a daily relationship with the One who gave it to us, then nothing should be capable of stopping us. Would you be bold enough to drop me a note and share with me what it is that stops you in your mission? Perhaps we can pray one for another in this effort. Perhaps if we could be brave enough to tell another Christian, we will find it easy to share with an unbeliever who Jesus is to us.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: The answer to today’s wars, hatred and envy is Jesus! Let’s be convinced that we know Him, and that those we come into contact with also know Him!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we are often frustrated and very afraid of the evil results of Satan’s interference in the lives of our loved ones. Yet we have the answer to this dilemma and we act afraid of sharing the Good News. Please forgive us Lord. Please also fill us with a deeper desire to know You better, and to live in a real and right relationship with You. As this improves, I believe that Your love will overflow from us and we will have a new strength and boldness to share Your love with others. People need the Lord, and I pray that You will help each reader/listener and I to never be a stumbling block in preventing the outflow of Jesus’ love for them. 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!

Godly Answers For Our Earthly Questions

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

DATE POSTED Thursday, 2022-03-10
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 19:3; 7; 10;
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 3 Some Pharisees wanted to test Jesus. They came up to him and asked, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
7 The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Why did Moses say a man could write out divorce papers and send his wife away?”
10 The disciples said, “If that’s how it is between a man and a woman, it’s better not to get married.”

APPLICATION: In their attempt to test Jesus, the one in whom they had very little respect or confidence, the Pharisees thought to ask Him controversial questions – probably on subjects that they struggled with themselves. This story made me think of a personal example – I remember my wife questioning an elderly relative about why she was asking questions for which she already knew the answers. Her response was enlightening – ‘I am pretending to be ignorant, in order to gain wisdom’!! I wonder if this is what the Pharisees were trying to do? Surely they had an answer to these questions, but perhaps they wanted to see if Jesus’ line of thinking was any different to theirs! However, putting all of the above aside, I believe that today we may look at this story and wish that we had such wisdom available to us today. And friends, this is what I feel like God wants to address through this Scripture today. You see, in all His wisdom, God knew that we would be no different to the Pharisees or anyone else that sought Him out while His Son, Jesus, walked this earth. So God left two important helps for us:

  1. His Holy Spirit: Jesus referred to this important part of the trinity as ‘The Comforter’, but I believe we can easily see throughout the Word of God that He is also our Director; our Guide; our Wisdom and our closest Friend. He lives inside of us, so of course we could call on Him with any puzzling question we may have, no matter where we are at. Will He know the answer to all of life’s challenging questions? Why of course, for He is also God. For the unbeliever who may read this and wonder how you could tap into this miraculous wonder: God sent us His very precious Son so that anyone who believes in Him might be saved. With this salvation, comes the awesome gift from God the Father – His divine Holy Spirit. Being ‘plugged in’ to this Triune Godhead is something that every Christian can claim! Accept Jesus as Your savior today and receive your heavenly Helper today, my unbelieving friends!
  2. His Holy Word: Perhaps you were surprised to read today’s Scripture and see that ‘divorce’ was covered in the Bible. I am convinced that everything else is also covered in this invaluable resource given to us by our Father in Heaven. A Google search is very powerful, but it’s nothing compared to the official Word of God that He left for us. Yes, your pastor, elder, deacon or friend could do your homework for you and give you the answers to your many questions, but why not look for yourself? There is something uniquely rewarding to meeting with God each day as you open His Word! There is so much that we could learn, and so much value in building an intimate relationship with our Creator!

But to top this whole message off, Jesus gave His disciples a few conditions that would generate supreme trust in the Almighty God. I went with a group of missionaries from my church to Mexico for a week. Other than finances, the next greatest challenge was in packing minimally as space would be limited on flights and in the vans used for ground transportation. So can you imagine trying to ‘GO’ under the restrictions ordered by Jesus in (1) noted above in our Scripture? Homes were opened to accommodate the missionaries, as there were no provisions for commercial accommodations, if any existed. This has become a huge problem today, as most church members will refuse to have a missionary or visiting preacher in for a meal, much less opening their home to one. I trust that you can appreciate the difference. Most of us will do everything possible to be accepted by the townspeople in which we minister. But what do you do if you are not accepted? Jesus knew this would happen and probably disappoint His disciples, just as it would impact us, so He prepared us in advance in (3) above for such an unfortunate event. Bible scholars will tell you that Jesus didn’t just tell His disciples to go some foreign place and, when you get – tell and heal. But instead, He told them in their language that as they GO, tell and heal. It is so important that we represent God and tell the Good News everywhere we find ourselves, not just at one specific building, street corner, country or city. As you go each day, brothers and sisters, in every way possible, tell the story of Jesus and His love for everyone you meet, God being your helper and guide.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Jesus has the answers to all of life’s questions, and He holds the key to Eternal Life.

PRAYER: Blessed be the name of the Lord! For Jesus is faithful and true and will forgive us of our sin, while also answering all of our questions each and every day. Without Jesus, we are merely wandering around this earth without an eternal plan, and without a proper Guide, Protector and Trusted Friend. Lord, teach us to use the brains that You have blessed us with, and to accept the gift offered to us by our amazing God. For those of us who have already bent the knee in humility and surrendered our lives to You, please teach us every day, for we have so many questions. Also help us to be a giving and sharing people, willing to share You – our source of help, with all those we come into contact with. You are Lord, and besides You, there is no other. You created us, and You have answers to all of our questions. Please teach us to surrender our will to Your almighty hand and guidance. 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!

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!

Then and Now

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

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-03-08
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Leviticus 8:4-5
TRANSLATION: Good News Translation (GNT)

BIBLE TEXT:  4 Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and when the community had assembled, 5 he said to them, “What I am now about to do is what the LORD has commanded.”

APPLICATION: I remember at one stage in my life as a church leader, I chose to challenge someone complaining about the differences in today’s worship music selections compared to the ‘old days’. But in reading today’s Scripture, I was forced to reflect on the differences in today’s acts of obedience to that which God has demanded, especially when compared to the Biblical account of Moses. Having been blessed to serve in leadership positions in the local church, I can tell you first hand that if our story is ever relayed to future generations, it will look quite different to that of Moses. Having said that, I can assure you that I have no doubt that the God we serve today is no different than the God Moses feared and served. However, it seems like today we have so many influences that tend to distract our thought process and our communion with God, that I’m not so sure that our decisions are as pure as that of Moses. For example, distractions might include prominent church members who stop their giving when the leaders don’t lead the church in the direction they dictate. I’ve participated in church study groups where the leaders seem to try diligently to find a different meaning from what it appears like God intended for us in the Bible. It seems like current-day church leaders decide that it’s time for larger and more updated (fancy) facilities, so they start their search and then beg for God’s buy-in. But Moses showed us that God said it, and he immediately found a way to implement what God demanded, no questions asked. I believe that our first excuse today might be that we don’t hear God speak verbally to us, as it appears like He spoke to Moses. Dear friends, we are children of the Almighty God and we heard Him loud and clear when He called us to His saving grace. We heard Him and we obeyed His call. Many of us have found companions that we are convinced that God directed us to. Do you for a moment believe that His communication to us is limited to just those things? Do you suppose that He is dead and therefore never communicates with us anymore? I am convinced that my God will direct my paths for as long as He leaves me here on earth. I am His child, and He actually died voluntarily on the cross of Calvary so that I might find new life in Him, which will lead me to life eternally in heaven one day. If you have connected with God, then you have that same assurance. If so, then you are fully aware that He still talks to us today and guides us through every decision of life, especially the work of His bride – the church. I believe that where the difference comes, is the many distractions we allow to interfere and draw our attention from the purity of God’s voice. I believe that, we try so hard to be politically correct in what we say, and in every effort to please everyone, until we tend to hear only those things that we know will please those on our favorites’ list. Can we honestly be like Moses in our witness, our decisions, our preaching and our teaching and still have the same friends that we bend over backwards to please? I believe there will be many conflicts in our spirit to do that. It is evident that Moses obeyed God wholeheartedly, and ‘the chips fell where they may’ for everyone else that witnessed Moses in action. I pray that we might become more like Moses today. Tell it like God intended, not how we might ensure that our popularity continues among our people. God being our Helper and our Guide!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Moses didn’t ask God for His buy-in on something he felt necessary, instead He listened to God’s instructions and followed them!

PRAYER: Lord, please teach us to not run ahead of You. We want to be obedient servants, not ones who ask you to bless what we decide is best for us. You hold the key for our life today, and for whatever time You will allow us to remain here on earth. You created us in Your image, and You promised never to leave us alone, so I am convinced that You have a perfect plan for us while we’re here. Please teach us to wait on the Lord, and to be willing and ready to obey Your every command, without allowing any distractions that may cause us to soften Your message or obey Your every command. May we clearly hear the commands of our Father, and may our churches hear and act on the same. 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!

Waiting For Jesus

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Wait on the Lord, Wait Patiently, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Sunday, 2022-03-06
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 17:14-16
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 14 At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”

APPLICATION: I believe that if we surveyed the Sunday morning congregation of worshipers why they are present in God’s house that day, the answers will be as varied as the people who are gathered. For the crowd in our Bible story, notice that Jesus didn’t even have to ask why they were there, they automatically approached Him with their needs. But let’s remind ourselves that there is much more to seeking an audience with the God of this universe, so the million dollar question for us today is: where do we go in order to meet with Jesus? Let’s give this some thought:
-o- WORSHIP – There comes a time when most individuals will look into the heavens and acknowledge that ‘THERE IS A GOD’, for we see Him: in the beautiful sunrise; the exquisite oceans where fishermen locate our delicious seafood and laypersons enjoy the art of fishing and water-sports; we witnessed the birth of a baby, where one of the parents were told repeatedly by doctors that they could never have kids; we saw personally how a relative was healed from a disease that doctors threw in the towel on. In fact, much like the wisemen said when they saw the star, they felt compelled to go and find the infant so they could worship Him, and perhaps we may come to the same conclusion – He is worthy of our praise, and we must find that perfect place where we might worship Him!
-o- HEALING – Some of us have heard one too many times that the doctors could do nothing else for our relatives. But the evidence is clear from the Bible, that God provided healing to the blind, the lame, the mute and He even brought the dead back to life again. Surely the ailments of our loved one is nothing when compared to the impossible situations just mentioned. We must find where God is so that we might petition Him with our desperate physical needs.
-o- COMPANIONSHIP – After years of perfect companionship, some of you may have experienced the loss of your companion. Now what? Where can you find God so that you might draw close to Him as you seek His guidance and comfort while trying to finish up life here on earth all by yourself?
Friends, I’m sure that each of you have unique reasons for seeking the presence of Jesus. In fact, you are extremely challenged to see outside of your challenges to recognize God, to listen to His tender voice of compassion, to actually worship Him in spite of your loss, or to follow His guidance as He directs your path. I’m sure you are desperately searching for God’s whereabouts, so you could share your heartfelt joys and concerns with Him. Please allow me to suggest that you try to worship God, even when your enemies are showing you all the roadblocks. Call on Him wherever you’re at, and know that He is always near. Remind yourself of the incredible love shown at the cross of Calvary, and know that God loves you and considers you more precious than any bright, shining metals that we spend thousands of dollars for. Remember, He created you in His own image, so there is nothing that He won’t identify with or help you overcome. Just wait, I say, on the Lord!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Seek the Lord while He may be found. Exalt Him and worship Him for who He is. He has not lost His awesome power to heal, forgive, and love. He is anxiously waiting for you to find Him right where you’re at.

PRAYER: Lord, we are reminded that when we reach the totality of our abilities and our efforts, You are still there with opened arms ready and willing to accept us – Your creation and Your child. Please teach us and remind us each day that as we place our faith and trust in You each and every day, we will also learn to reach out to You through our good times, our bad times and especially through our challenging times. Just as the crowd determined where You were at, and they waited for You with many items beyond their control and abilities, we too have access to the same wonderful Savior still today. We need You Lord. Please help us to seek You in every phase of life, no matter where we find ourselves geographically. Please teach us to depend on the one constant each day – our Almighty God. Healer, Protector, Guide, Deliverer, Savior and Friend! 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!

Who Am I?

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

DATE POSTED Friday, 2022-03-04
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 16:13-17
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 13 When Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who are the people saying I am?”
14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; some, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
15 Then he asked them, “Who do you think I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “The Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 “God has blessed you, Simon, son of Jonah,” Jesus said, “for my Father in heaven has personally revealed this to you—this is not from any human source. 

APPLICATION: A good exercise before you read my comments on today’s Scripture, might be to stop – no music, no electronic devices near you, and away from all company, as you respond to the question by Jesus ‘Who do you say I am?’ An awesome follow-up to that exercise, might be to stop and ask yourself what others might say in response to that question, basing their response on what they see in you each day through your words and actions. I’m afraid that this is where many of us might be challenged, for I believe that our actions might reveal a Lord that might look much like the image of Santa Claus, for we constantly brag about all that He have given to us in response to our constant begging or even our charitable actions. I believe the whole idea behind these exercises is to help us determine the difference between our ‘head’ knowledge and our ‘heart-felt’ relational feelings about who God is. As I meditated on this, my mind went on preparations that church leaders make when preparing for revival services. What if church leaders took a poll of it’s members with this question by Jesus? Don’t you know that the revival evangelist would have no problem in finding sermon topics for the period of his visit? What if we did a time of inflection at the end of each day as we reflected on our words and actions, and evaluated the answers we gave to this question that day to those around us? How much time will we mark off for our time with Jesus each evening as we sobbed our way through the failures and/or regrets? Friends, who do you say Jesus is? How do you live out Jesus’ character and teachings in your life? Considering the fact that Jesus knows every word, action and thought, how might we respond to Him directly right now about who we think He is? For the world to see who Jesus is through the way we live, what might we have to change?

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Jesus said that His Father gave Peter personal insight into who Jesus is. I believe He can do the same for us if we seek Him and want to know Him intimately!

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, through Your invitation I accepted You as Lord and Savior of my life. I am convinced from Your Word that You would have me know You more intimately, but I need Your grace and I acknowledge that I will need to look beyond what I might expect You to do for me in return. My readers and listeners must look inwardly and answer Your question personally and with an unselfish heart. Please speak boldly to all those who might be reminded of You today. Challenge them with the question You personally asked those closest to You – Your disciples. May each of us not only answer because of our head-knowledge of who You are, but may we also dig deep inside and share our deepest thoughts with You – the One who sacrificed Your very own life for us, so that we might one day bow before You and the Father in heaven. Thank You for Your love and for Your sacrifice. Please help us to share that with everyone we encounter here on 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 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!

Take Delight In The Lord

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Worship1 Comment

DATE POSTED Thursday, 2022-03-03
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 37:4-7
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.Trust him, and he will help you.
6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

APPLICATION: I recently visited a larger city in Florida, and I was amazed by the number of homeless individuals who stood on street corners; slept next to their bicycles with a blanket sheltered over them; took refuge in a dark alley just to get some peace and quiet. It bothered me, for I kept remembering the Scripture where Jesus taught us to look at these individuals as we would our Savior. For as much as we gave to one of those, we gave to Him. I have been so saddened over the loss of friends and family since this Covid pandemic started. Loved ones are left behind and they are lonely as all out. I am reminded that God promised us only the present, so let’s try to live it fully until Jesus returns, and not be saddened by current events, or in all that seem to be headed our way. But how do we live this life out in happiness and success? Our Scripture says that we are to commit everything to the Lord, and trust Him fully. This is often easier said than done, for we are a people used to instant cooking, instant communications, fast cars, and even faster airplanes. Let’s learn to place our concerns at the feet of Jesus and surrender them fully into His care. We know from God’s Word that He is faithful and just to fulfill His promises and meet the needs of His precious children. Learn to trust Him in all things – even the little things that you may feel like you are wasting God’s time on. As you gain faith in God handling things for you in His time and in His infinite wisdom, you gain peace about leaving the BIG issues of life with Him also. Many of us tend to look at the success of crooks and of those who have rejected Christ, and we may wonder why? Our Scripture today assures us that God is in control, and our part for true success lies with us being still before God and waiting for His lead. It’s not our problem to control who is blessed by God, for He is more than capable of blessing only those who trust in Him and depend on Him. Friends, David met many challenges in life, and God directed his path. He can do the same for you, if you trust in Him and surrender your will into His capable hands.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Our future generations can look back and reflect on God’s success through us, just as we can rejoice over the success God made in David’s life, God being our Helper and Deliverer!

PRAYER: Thank You Father for giving us references that we can gain confidence from in our dealings with You! Faith should be enough, so I pray that You will help us develop the awesome faith in us, just like You did in David’s life. Please help us to keep still before You and allow You to work miraculously through the many things that hurt us and/or bother us. We need You more today than ever before in our lives. Please teach us to pray, teach us to be still before You, and teach us to just be still and wait before You – because You are very capable of bringing this together for us, just as You designed our future to be. Ours is not to question why, but to celebrate and thank You for the well orchestrated and planned future that awaits us – culminating with us kneeling at Your feet in heaven! 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!