Tag: creator

Seeking, or Abandoning God?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Godly lives, Humility, Seeking God, Sincere1 Comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Chronicles 7:14–15
Today’s Bible Text: Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer….
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: Solomon had just spent a number of years building the temple and now at its dedication he prayed that God would use it for His glory and for the salvation of His people. In the verses immediately preceding the ones above, God spoke to Solomon and said that He would hear his prayer, but there might be times that He might withdraw His hand of blessing from the people because of their sin. However, all they had to do was to humble themselves; pray; seek God’s face and turn from their wicked ways, then God promised that He would hear from heaven, forgive their sins and restore their land. That sounds so simple a process for Christians to follow, and such a neat reward from God in return! In fact there are many church revivals designed around this very verse. But you might ask: but what happens if we continue in our sinful ways, or are not committed to do exactly what God has demanded? Well, God actually covers this in the verses following these, for He knew that with the individual minds that He gave to each of us, some might choose to remain in the lust and evil of this world for the sake of presumed ‘happiness’. In verse 19, God actually called this abandonment. In other words, you may decide to abandon the Creator and Designer of this universe, and ‘do your own thing’. Friends, as you can imagine, and as you will read in the caution given in verses 20-22, God will respond in quite different ways than He promised in verse 14 above. So I would challenge you to consider two things with me today:

  1. When we hear about the atrocities occurring in our nation today, do you think of a ‘seeking’ nation of people, or one of ‘abandonment of God’? What role are you playing – living the life and praying for a turn around, or are you a part of the problem?
  2. Would you consider that your church is flourishing in the good graces of God, or floundering as if many have abandoned the faith? Are you part of the problem, or an agent of change praying diligently for the Master to heal your church?

I really don’t see any ‘in between’ in these two options friends. I believe that we are either in (as in staying true to our commitment to serve God faithfully and therefore praying for His hand of mercy), or you are part of the problem where you are falsely thinking that God will bless – in spite of your sin and disobedience. God knows your heart, and He wants you to reconcile your position with Him. Will you do that today friend?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am ashamed that often I and many ‘who are called by Your name’, often straddle the fence and act as though we are in control of our own destiny. We are quick to call on You when it is apparent that things are not going as well as we want them to, otherwise we are often a part of the roadblock to the revival that is needed in our churches and in our land. Please forgive us Lord. Please soften our minds to always recognize Your awesome power and perfect will for our lives. May we be aides of godly change in our churches and in our land, especially in a year of elections that so often tends to divide. I pray earnestly that I may be obedient to Your perfect will in my life, so that I may do my part to encourage my church, my city. my state and my country towards faithfulness to You and Your commands. I ask this in the name of the only One with power to change and effect such a change, Jesus my Lord and Savior, 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

Prepared For Worship

On By Ed AlgreenIn Musicians, Participators, Praise, Worship2 Comments

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Chronicles 5:11–14
Today’s Bible Text: Then the priests left the Holy Place. All the priests who were present had purified themselves, whether or not they were on duty that day. And the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers—were dressed in fine linen robes and stood at the east side of the altar playing cymbals, lyres, and harps. They were joined by 120 priests who were playing trumpets. The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words:  “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!”    At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: A momentous occasion – the first service in the beautiful, huge, worship center designed by King David and built be his son, King Solomon. However, I want to draw your attention to the readiness of the people, and I want you to reflect on what might need attention at your church, in order to possibly witness God’s holy presence, or see His mighty works at your church. Catch a glimpse of these highlights from today’s scripture:

  • A new temple/sanctuary carefully built with the very best that was possible in that day;
  • The ark of the covenant had just been taken in. This represented a very special promise, or agreement between God and His people. In fact, I could only imagine all sorts of emotions filling the hearts of the people as this placement materialized;
  • All of the priests had purified themselves for the occasion;
  • All the Levite musicians, together with their sons and brothers, dressed in fine linen robes, stood on one side of the 30’ altar playing musical instruments;
  • 120 priests/trumpeters joined the Levites with their trumpets blasting to the glory of God;
  • Other musicians joined with cymbals and other instruments; and
  • A choir of singers joined in;
  • As they all played and sang in unison together, praising God with the words: He (the Lord) is good! His faithful love endures forever!

Friends, if you were able to immerse yourself in the middle of that worship service described above, is there any wonder that God came down in a mighty way that day? His Spirit filled the temple, as a cloud. This was all so awesome that the priests were awestruck and had to pause the service. Can you even imagine the awe of that moment? Can you even imagine this happening at your worship service this coming weekend? Are you prepared in your heart for the holy presence of God? Are you praying for the purity of your church leaders and musicians as they lead your congregation in worship? The piece I found interesting about the story relayed here, is that there was no mention of onlookers, or pew warmers. There was only mention of participators and worshipers! Which one of those roles will you take on in you upcoming weekend services?

Prayer: Lord God, You are so worthy of our praise each and every day, yet we often take on the role of an onlooker during our worship services. Please forgive us for our littleness in such important times as when we get together to recognize Your goodness, Your mercy and Your grace. Help us to put self aside and instead recognize You for who You are and for all You have done. Although You have no obligation to give more of Yourself in return for our worship, I would humbly ask that You fill our hearts with praise, and our worship services with Your sweet Holy Spirit, and may it be so evident to us that we would be stopped in our tracks of selfishness and pride. Oh Lord, may our eyes become fixed on You and our hearts so in tuned with You that Your presence may be evident to those who we come into contact with. May it be convincing to You that we have surrendered ourselves to You with all of our heart, soul and mind. For it is in the precious name of Jesus that I ask these things, 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

What Do You Want Most From God?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Personal desires, Personal wants, UnselfishLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Chronicles 1:7–12
Today’s Bible Text: That night God appeared to Solomon. God said, “What do you want from me? Ask.” Solomon answered, “You were extravagantly generous with David my father, and now you have made me king in his place. Establish, GOD, the words you spoke to my father, for you’ve given me a staggering task, ruling this mob of people. Yes, give me wisdom and knowledge as I come and go among this people—for who on his own is capable of leading these, your glorious people?” God answered Solomon, “This is what has come out of your heart: You didn’t grasp for money, wealth, fame, and the doom of your enemies; you didn’t even ask for a long life. You asked for wisdom and knowledge so you could govern well my people over whom I’ve made you king. Because of this, you get what you asked for—wisdom and knowledge. And I’m presenting you the rest as a bonus—money, wealth, and fame beyond anything the kings before or after you had or will have.”
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: Each night in America thousands of lottery tickets are sold to prospects looking for an overnight explosion to their net worth. Also, casinos are often filled with folk looking for the same result. God told Solomon to ask for what he wanted from Him. This challenged me to think about what my response would be to that same question from God. Would it be the item that is at the very top of my prayer list, or would it be a ‘get out of jail’ ticket to ask for things that would facilitate an early retirement and  money to help me enjoy a stress-free retirement? Solomon, a new king, could have asked for a number of things tied to wealth or perhaps dominance in his kingdom, but I believe that Solomon had a heart for God and for the people he would govern. Because of the massive numbers of citizens and the awesome needs of the people, Solomon’s heart cried out for wisdom and knowledge as he went about his people. Friends, notice how God immediately knew that this was the unselfish heart cry of Solomon, and not the usual ‘give me’, ‘give me’ attitude of so many believers today. Notice that this resulted in God blessing Solomon with what he asked for, but also with a whole lot more. Imagine what would come forth in our lives if we sought God’s face more than His outstretched hand? Imagine if we thought of the needs of others before we asked for more into our own coffers? So what is at the top of your prayer list today Brothers and Sisters? May I encourage you to seek God first, and His righteousness, and be amazed at how God will meet your needs, and possibly your wants, in accordance with His perfect will for your life, and His ministry. 

Prayer: So many are in need of a Savior. So many are hurting. So many are in grave financial need. And Lord, many of these are my friends and/or family. Please touch their hearts today, and cause them to lift up holy hands in anticipation of the mighty works that You will perform in their midst. Lord, for every one that You touch today, may dozens of others be impacted with Your love and deep concern for their spiritual well being. For all those that will come across this devotional today, please draw them to Yourself and cause them to make decisions that will be pleasing to You. I need a special touch from You today dear Lord, please use me and allow me to display Your righteous character in all that I say or do. For I ask these things in the precious name of Jesus, 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

Know God Intimately!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Intimate with God, Relationship, True witnessesLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Chronicles 28:9
Today’s Bible Text: …. my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
The Bible Translation: The New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: If David was personally out of touch with God, or distant in relationship with Him, can you imagine the huge challenge he would have faced in pleading with his son Solomon to know God intimately and follow in His ways? I believe that most earthly fathers would seek after passing along the very best to their sons, and in most cases, they would probably want to see them in a better position spiritually and financially than they themselves were. However, have you ever tried recommending something to someone that you had not experienced yourself? It’s not as convincing, is it? You see, David was speaking from a heart filled with experiences with God. From the small sling that he used in battle against Goliath, the giant, to the largest army that he went to battle with, David knew the one common denominator who played a very key role in His victories. He was therefore able to speak with his son from tried and proven encounters. David also knew from first-hand experience that if his son would earnestly seek the face of God, he would find Him. However, I also believe that one of the hardest things to do in life, would be to tell your son that if he forsakes the Father, He will forsake/reject/leave him for ever. But we know from the Psalms that David often pleaded with God to please don’t turn His face away from him, or reject him, or ignore him. You see, even though you may know that God is there, if you know that you have forsaken Him and not maintained a relationship with Him, you tend to feel like you are pleading with someone else’s God. I heard something said about healthy eating recently: if you don’t eat healthy for your own sake, do it for the sake of your children and grandchildren. I feel like this emphasizes the awesome responsibility that Christians have today: let’s be in a position to speak with our children, or to those we would witness to, from a heart of personal experience, not from the words penned by another believer. We not only have an accountability to God, but to all those that we have a responsibility to witness to. Never have it said about you that you say one thing, but do another. Live the life that you would like for your child(ren) to live. Be the Christian that you invite a friend to consider. Allow God the freedom to work through you every day, because you have a clean and contrite heart, and you desire to invite others to have the same.

Prayer: Lord God, You created us, and You are the Master over everything that we are. Please help us to constantly seek Your face and allow Your accountability, so that we may honestly present You to our family and friends in the light of personal experiences, and not just a God from our Bible who did a great work in the lives of our ancestors. I have accepted You as my PERSONAL Savior. To me, that means that there is no other savior, and also it means that if You are Savior to millions others, yet You are very personal and intimate in Your relationship with me. Thank You Father for loving Your children in such personal and meaningful ways. Now may You rule and reign in us today so that we may be recognized as Your children, willing to share Your love with all those we come into contact with. I love You Lord! Thank You for Your love for me! In the precious name of Jesus, 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

Because He is coming To Rule as King

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accountability, Example, WitnessLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Timothy 4:1–5
Today’s Bible Text: In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and because he is coming to rule as King, I solemnly urge you to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it (whether the time is right or not), to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience. The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends. But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.
The Bible Translation: The Good News Translation (GNT)

My Take Away: Paul tried very hard to qualify to Timothy why he was giving him certain instructions. I believe that God directed this to be placed in His Word for us, because He wants us to know that in the light of all the excuses we might give for not doing something that He orders, we had best remember that one day soon He will come to rule again as King and we will be accountable  to Him for our decisions and our actions. We are urged to share the faith that comes from trusting in God – to share our salvation experience; to seek God’s face and direction in all decisions that we make; to challenge family and friends about their faith in Christ; to correct folk in love when we see them out of line with God’s instructions. I love the way that this translation says “and because Jesus is coming to rule as King” – because this encourages me to have an even deeper desire to share my faith, and to busy myself with the work of the Lord. However, less we miss a very important point, Paul encourages us to also keep control of ourselves in all circumstances. This means that we should not dare correct, rebuke or witness to another, if our lives are out of tune with God’s will for us. In another scripture, we are encouraged to remove the plank from our own eye, before challenging a Brother to consider the speck in his eye. Friends, we are reminded that in the last days we will see people looking for special traits in their teachers – they specifically want ones who will tickle their ears with things that are appealing to them. Could this possibly  be because of the hypocrisy of the teachers of the gospel? Paul has shown us that we have a responsibility to the Master, and this should be in spite of all the challenges that Satan will send our way to discourage us. May I encourage you to take the challenge with all sincerity and because of the love of Jesus for you? For even while you were still a sinner, Jesus gave up His life for you so that you might overcome sin and live eternally in glory with Him! Because He is coming soon to rule as King, let us today be found faithful and true!

Prayer: Father, I believe that it is because of the struggles You see us having, that You bring these experiences to light as we read Your Word. For the experiences of Paul is very similar to those that we face today. Pastors are becoming very discouraged, and laity is questioning whether it is worth the effort to keep on in our witness for You. Please work a miracle in the lives of Your dedicated church pastors Lord, may they find peace in doing the will of God in everything they attempt. Lord, please protect our pastors from the evil of this world. Please encourage Christians everywhere to share Your love and the teaching of Your Word with all they come into contact with, and may their attempts be fruitful because of the condition of their relationship with You. People need the Lord! May each believer play a key role is helping them find You dear 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

Living A Godly Life

On By Ed AlgreenIn Godly actions, Godly lives, Like Jesus, SincereLeave a comment

Arbuckle

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Timothy 3:12
Today’s Bible Text: Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: On reading the subject of this devotional, one may have thought that I would be giving you reasons to worship today, because surely I would be rejoicing over the joys of being a follower of Christ! And yes, there is much to rejoice in as we, Christians, think about our eternal home in glory with our Master. However, what Paul is warning about in this short verse, is what we might expect to see while Christian remains here on earth. Of course you might respond that of course, we spread the joy of the Lord with everyone, and we worship and adore our Savior at every opportunity. As true as that may be friend, notice carefully the verbiage used by Paul, for he said that for us to live a ‘GODLY’ life, we should expect persecution. Living a ‘godly’ life means that you are not just going to obey the commands of God, but you have committed to study His Word carefully and then live your life patterned after Jesus. Think about this friends, Jesus was not a ‘yes man’ to all that the Pharisees expected of Him, for He showed them the true meaning of unconditional love; of unselfish leadership; of placing others before themselves; of standing up for God, even if it may have damaged their political careers; and of changing certain rituals because they were not in the image or expectation of Jesus Christ. In short, Jesus upset the ‘apple cart’ every time He recognized wrong or ungodly living, regardless of who was caught in the crossfire. Let’s look at this from our current scenario. In almost every conversation with Christians, we recognize that we have mellowed a lot from the ways of our ancestors, because we have calculated that their ways were just too strict, or too literal of Biblical teachings. We allow things in our churches now that were unheard of in the early church. When last have you heard of a summit where church leaders would humble themselves before God and surrender totally to His will for the churches they are leading? How long would church leaders be permitted to stay in their roles, if they returned from a conference and started making changes, because they felt God was wanting them to help steer His church back to Him? Are we ready to challenge our work bosses because we see the need to stand up for what we discern to be ungodly principles and/or practices? I don’t believe we will find anywhere in the Bible that Jesus caved in to the practices of the day because He was being too literal with the commands of His Father. If we have committed ourselves to live just like Jesus, should we cave in to worldly practices and demands? How will we explain that to God on Judgment Day?

Prayer: Dear God, You have placed Your perfect Son before us so that we might have the pattern for life that would be pleasing to You. Yet, much like the Pharisees, we have designed our own pattern of living. Unfortunately not all aspects of our design meets the standards that were demonstrated by Jesus. Father, we want our lives and our churches to be aligned with You, yet we tend to place our own little spin to the perfections You have taught us. Please forgive us for doubting; for changing Your ways to conform with the ways of this world; and for assuming Your role, when we should really be seeking Your face and Your will. To win the world for Jesus Christ, I feel like we should first be willing to demonstrate before them a sincere ‘godly’ life so that they can clearly see what they are committing to. Lord Jesus, please have Your will and Your way in the lives of Christians today, beginning with me. Please work miraculously in our churches so that we may truly be the cornerstone of Your worldwide mission to reach the lost while we wait for Your Big Day when You will come to take us home with You. I ask these things in the name of Jesus, 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

A Crude Description Of Our Times

On By Ed AlgreenIn End Times, Example of Christ, Separated, SurrenderLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Timothy 3:1–5
Today’s Bible Text: …. in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: From the header/subject, you were probably afraid to look deeper for fear that I may be quoting one of the presidential candidates, or perhaps one of the popular news carriers! I believe that’s because the description sounds so much like everything we hear about, and see today. Friends, I believe that Paul was warning Timothy to be aware of this type of behavior because it is so far off the path of what God intended for His children, that it is bound to cause God to call His saints out of the mix. It is unfortunate, but I can’t identify one behavior listed, that is not prevalent in our society today. So I’m sure that you must be asking how then shall we respond. Here’s what I feel would be scriptural for us:

  1. Stay away from people that fit the above description – and that’s because we tend to be classed with those we hang with. For us to hang with them, means that we are accepting of their behavior, therefore we might soon find ourselves allowing some of the same characteristics in our lives;
  2. Continue to witness – even to those acting like described above – They need Jesus, and how will they know about Him unless we proclaim the name of Jesus to them?
  3. Be careful to seek our character and behavior from God – not from friends who may act like described by Paul;
  4. Be ‘light’ in the midst of the darkness portrayed by friends – Jesus is the light that attracted us when our lives seemed so lost in the darkness of sin. We are called to be His followers, or His example. This will cause us to stand out, just as a small light that will brighten a large, very dark room.

Friends, we are called out – meaning that it was never God’s intention for His holy and righteous children to be inflicted with the sin and evil of this world. Why not diligently seek the face of Jesus, if you still feel bound, or attached to this old evil world in any way?

Prayer: Had it not been for the blood of Jesus. Had it not been for the love of our Savior. Had it not been for the promise of heaven at the end of our journey here on earth. Where would we have been, but smack in the middle of the descriptions given by Paul to Timothy. Thank You Heavenly Father for reaching into the heart of Your child and calling me to Yourself. Being reminded that all of the behaviors described by Paul are actually in place already, I can’t help but think that the day of Your return dear Lord, is nearer now than it has ever been before. Please show us the friends and family members that need our help in pointing them to You, for I believe that TODAY is the day of salvation, as tomorrow may be eternally too late. “I surrender all” is therefore my heart’s cry today Lord, as I wait before You for my instructions to minister in Your name today, 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

Qualities of The Lord’s Servant

On By Ed AlgreenIn Obedient, Servants of God, TeacherLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Timothy 2:24–26
Today’s Bible Text: As the Lord’s servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind towards all, a good and patient teacher, gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth. And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will.
The Bible Translation: The Good news Translation (GNT)

My Take Away: An important tip given to us at a conference last year, is that we look for the ‘so that’ in God’s Word, as well as remember that in our prayers when we are asking God for things. In the scripture today, it is important for us to note: So that people might see God and desire to know Him, it is important that Christians – especially Christian teachers, concentrate on a few important qualities:

  • Do not quarrel – remember, it takes two to quarrel! Sometimes it seems like Satan may have sent certain people into the classroom to disrupt the teaching of God’s Word, because it appears like they do their very best to get the teacher off track. God expects us to be understanding and not quarrel. The last thing we want to do is appear like Satan is getting through to us. Remember, our job is way more important in doing God’s work. If we commit to His work, and surrender our will to His, He will help us to deal with the troublemakers;
  • Be kind towards all – it is so human for us to love the ‘teacher’s pet’, but despise the troublemaker – the one who is constantly looking to put us on the spot with challenging questions, or disrupt the class;
  • Be a good and patient teacher – to be a good teacher, I believe it is important that we have sought God’s will for the class, studied the lesson well, and therefore excited about teaching all that God has taught you, to the students that God has placed before you at just that perfect time. To be patient, means that others in the room may have a word from God also, therefore they may have valuable input to add to your teaching. Being patient means accepting the fact that not everyone in the class will be at the same level you are at in knowledge or their relationship with the Lord;
  • Be gentle as you correct others – treat students as individuals that you want to help in the boat, not sit back and watch them drown. Show them that you want them to understand what you are trying to relay. Show them that you care about them.

Let’s be careful to always remember that we are representing the Master, as we try to share His Word with others, so let’s act like we believe He would act if He was standing before the class. Let’s look for His heart and try to imitate that same heart as we teach. God’s Word is very clear, that He would prefer that none of His kids should perish. Let us therefore do all we can to help prevent any from perishing because of their sin, or lack of spiritual understanding. God can use even you, friend! Please be obedient to whatever He should ask of you.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for using even us to get Your message across to the lost, and to the stubborn who allows Satan to distract them. I agree that Your Word is very powerful, but I also know that often You will show one person something totally different to another saint, yet from the same passage. Please help us to always recognize that as a key indicator that Your Word is alive and will speak to different folk differently. Please help us to study Your Word and be ready to share how It spoke to our heart. May our teaching fall on good and obedient ears so that Your will might be accomplished in the hearts of those that so desperately need You. Touch the hearts of Your Bible teachers even now dear Lord, so that they may proclaim Your Word in power and in the full strength intended. You are awesome oh God, and I worship and adore You today for who You are and for all that You teach me through Your Word. Have Your perfect will and way today oh Lord in the lives of all who open Your Word, 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

Revive Us Again Oh Lord

On By Ed AlgreenIn Forgiveness, Revival, WitnessLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: Psalm 85:4-7
Today’s Bible Text: Now restore us again, O God of our salvation. Put aside your anger against us once more. Will you be angry with us always? Will you prolong your wrath to all generations? Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: Having just read a passage from 1 Chronicles 18, I saw how victorious David had been in battle. In fact, twice in that chapter we are told that God made David victorious in everything he did. Yet I turned to this passage and read about how David pleaded with God for revival. In much the same way, I believe that each of us meditating on this today will acknowledge that we have seen fairly good successes in our marriages, our work, our churches and even in our own lives, yet there are times that we feel like we have reached a plateau and  for some reason we have just stopped moving ahead. Like David, we sometimes stop and question what would it take for us, or our people to rejoice again. Friends, David quickly discovered that it was sin that was holding back the hand of God from continuing to bless His people. For you see, something must have died, or seriously soured, for David to feel the need for God to ‘revive’ he and his people again. Asking God to give us something, means that we never had it. Asking Him to ‘revive us’, means that we had it, but for some reason it is no longer vibrant; or perhaps effective; or perhaps exciting, or perhaps no longer working for us. Do you suppose that’s where our churches are today? Is that why people are comfortable attending church because they could leave without being challenged with the sin in their lives? Friends, if we want our families saved, or our coworkers drawn closer to the Lord, and we don’t seem to be effective in doing that any longer, then we had best follow David’s example and ask God to forgive us of our sin. Oh that God would draw closer to us once again so that He might show His power through us as individuals, and corporately as we join together at our church buildings. Perhaps then, we might become the hands of Jesus outstretched to the poor and needy. Perhaps then, sinners will rejoice and seek forgiveness, because they see a living example of what Jesus truly looks like. Perhaps then Christians will seek the face of Jesus, and not just His hands to meet their needs. Where do you stand friend? Do you need Jesus, or do you need His reviving touch again?

Prayer: Father God, we have become such a needy people, but yet we seem more interested in Your outstretched hand, than we are in drawing closer to Your side and worshipping You in total transparency. You are our creator, and You are the Almighty God, from whom nothing is hidden. Please help us to get honest with ourselves, and stay transparent before You, for I believe that it is only then that our spirits might one with Yours, and that we would constantly seek Your face and not just Your hand. Please forgive us when we become weak and distant from You. Please help us to always seek a reviving touch from You so that we might get downright honest with ourselves and before You. Lord, we want to be just like You, yet it is so obvious that we are stained constantly by the sin in this world. Please draw us close to You so that we might be effective in our witness for You while here on this planet. I ask all this in faith, and in the strong name of Jesus, 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

Empowered To Share

On By Ed AlgreenIn Empowered, Evangelize, WitnessLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Timothy 1:7-8
Today’s Bible Text: … the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord;
The Bible Translation: The Good News Translation (GNT)

My Take Away: Paul had recognized a precious gift given to Timothy on the day that he laid hands on him for ministry, and now that Timothy was about to go and minister, Paul encourage him to rekindle that gift that was once very obvious. Many churches today still hold revival services. A time where Christians can be reminded about the decision they made to accept Jesus as Lord. In doing so, they are often reminded about the precious gift of the Holy Spirit that once enveloped them, and they plead with God to wipe away any roadblocks that might be currently preventing the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Friends, Paul and Timothy were two very special, dedicated servants of God, but may I remind you that they were just like you and I. They desired to be used of God to help accomplish His work. God went on to save others, like you and I, and He continued to empower us to also share the Good News of Jesus Christ. How do you feel like you are doing? Notice from these verses today, that if we are feeling timid, or ashamed, or powerless, then we have clear evidence that it is time for us to rekindle the gift that God has given to us. Remind ourselves of the awesome Holy Spirit that is so close to help us, that He resides inside of us. Remember the boldness that is ours when we put self aside and let God’s Holy Spirit take control to lead, direct and control us. Friend, be reminded of the power, love and self-control that is ours when we reconnect with our power-source! Imagine all that God can do in our circle of friends and family, when we step aside and allow Jesus to witness, rule and reign through us! He can do it again friend! Just like He used his servants of old to heal the sick and minister to the hurting in His name, He can do all that through us also, if only we would let Him. But we must move self aside, as only God can do the work in and through us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that there are friends who will approach my readers and I today and they will test us to see who truly resides inside of us. Thank You for preparing us for this by showing us what Timothy was challenged with, or reminded of. When we are feeling powerless, or timid, or ashamed or unloved, may we immediately be reminded of the missing source – our dependence on Your Holy Spirit that is already living inside of us. For the one meditating on this today and feels helpless, may I ask You Lord Jesus to please show them Your message on accepting You as their Lord and Savior, for it is then that they will empty themselves of self, and allow Your Holy Spirit to refill them with all that I have spoken about in this devotional. We understand that only You can get through to the very heart of a person, so please help us to let you do Your miraculous work, and if You are willing to use us in that process oh Lord, we will be willing and eternally thankful. I ask these things in the matchless name of Jesus, 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