Tag: Deliverer

How Awesome is Our God!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Awesome God, Creator, VigilantLeave 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 104:1; 5–9
Today’s Bible Text: 1 Let all that I am praise the LORD. O LORD my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty….. 5 You placed the world on its foundation so it would never be moved. 6 You clothed the earth with floods of water, water that covered even the mountains. 7 At your command, the water fled; at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away. 8 Mountains rose and valleys sank to the levels you decreed. 9 Then you set a firm boundary for the seas, so they would never again cover the earth.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: The Psalmist shows us how to worship our King. One of the key triggers for worship, is to reflect on the beauty of God’s creation around us, and then on the One who made it all possible. We may visit certain locations where the on-staff horticulturist may have used plants of every description to create a beautiful garden or landscape that just blows you away. But let’s not forget who designed, created and made that plant available to us! That’s the God who created us and made provisions for us to one day join with Him around His heavenly throne for ever! Do you know Him? Do you take time, like the Psalmist, to recognize Him for His awesome power and His mighty works? Have you taken time yet today to worship and adore the God of all creation? You know, He not only made the beauty around us, but He also made you and I. It is way too easy for us to turn up our noses to some folk because we can’t stand how they act, or talk or treat us, but let’s never forget that they are a creation of our loving God, and if they could put up with us, we should make every effort to love them with the love of God. After all, how will you explain to God on Judgment Day that you believe He messed up when He made ______??? Friends, as we go about our day, let’s try to look at creation, or our family, or our coworkers as God’s creation, and let us give Him thanks for blessing us with each other. Remember, God knows even our smallest need, and He is well aware of our major challenges. He will place things and/or individuals in our path today to make us stronger in our faith, or that will draw us unto Him for eternal life. Be vigilant friend, and be ready to recognize God as He pursues your best interest today. He’s just that awesome!

Prayer: Father, You created us, yet we tend to find fault with your creation instead of praising You for ourselves and for those that cross our paths each day. You created awesome beauty all around us, yet we find something to whine about. Lord, from the bottom of my heart I want to thank You for creating me and allowing me to live on this small dot on Your perfect earth. Your majesty is beyond description. Your power is beyond anything we can imagine. Your love is greater than anything we could comprehend, for You allowed Your very own, perfect, Son to be crucified on a cruel cross, so that we would not have to endure that kind of torture in order to one day be with You around Your throne of mercy and grace. Father You are awesome in every way, and I adore You and worship You from the sincerity of my heart. Jesus, thank You for Your amazing sacrifice, so that I may live eternally with You and the Father. Please touch the hearts of all who might read this devotional today. Draw them close to You and help them to see You for who You truly are. In the strong and mighty name of Jesus I ask all this, 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

Proof That You’re A Christian

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christ-Like, Christian, Christian Living, Christian Principles, Christianity, Proof-positiveLeave 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 John 2:3-6
Today’s Bible Text: 3 And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? 4 Someone may say, “I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.” But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. 5 But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. 6 Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did.
The Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take Away: Recently I was in a classroom setting where attendees were asked to explain what the Bible refers to as one’s ‘heart’. Whenever we talk to a non-Christian about the Lord, we encourage them to invite Jesus into their ‘heart’. We might tell our favorite person on earth that we love them with all of our ‘heart’, or from the depths of our ‘heart’. The reason I believe that we relate the degree of our love, or the sincerity of our love to our ‘heart’ is that it helps to explain that it’s not just words that we are expressing,m but a deep personal conviction. These verses declare that if we say that we love Jesus, or have invited Him into our ‘heart’, then proof positive of that love or commitment, would be to live like He lived. In other words, it’s not just superficial, or evidenced by words alone, but it is something where we have allowed Jesus to impact our inner person to such a degree that we want to obey His commands and live by the example He set before us while He was here on earth. I might tell my wife every day that I love her with all my heart, but unless I also express that in, and through my actions, she will never be convinced of that love. That’s the way it is with Jesus. Inviting Him to be your Savior and Lord, means that you have not only asked Him to forgive you of your sin, but you have also asked Him to be Lord of your ‘heart’, and that you want every aspect of your life to be impacted by all that Jesus said and did. This affirms your commitment to express the love and way of Jesus through your words, and live that out through your actions, from that point forward. Think about this friends, you live according to all that’s in your ‘heart’. Is it convincing to God and your fellow mankind that you are a child of God – a Christian? If not, you may need to reevaluate your relationship with God and perhaps start all over again in your walk with the Lord. The word ‘Christian’ means Christ-follower, or Christ-like. Are you a Christian friend? If not convinced, may I encourage you to read my ‘Footnote’ and sure up your decision? Jesus is coming again very soon friend, and it may be as early as today. I pray that I will see you in heaven around the throne of Christ!

Prayer: From the depths of my heart I want to reaffirm that I love You Lord. You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek, You, oh Lord, are my all in all! You alone have the power to impact lives and change hearts from the coldness of this world and the evil one, to a heart that is molded into Your likeness and following Your example. Father, please touch the lives of those who will read this devotional today who may not have experienced that ‘heart’ transformation. Draw them to You oh Lord, and direct them towards total surrender to You, so that our world may not just hear about You, but experience You through every word and/or action from us. Thank You Father for loving us enough to use even us to help accomplish Your awesome work of changing ‘hearts’ here on this earth. To You be all glory, honor and majesty, 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

The Incomprehensible Love of God!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Love, Salvation, UnderstandingLeave 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 103:8-16
Today’s Bible Text: 8 He is merciful and tender toward those who don’t deserve it; he is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. 9 He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever. 10 He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sins, 11 for his mercy toward those who fear and honor him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. 13 He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence him. 14 For he knows we are but dust 15 and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, 16 blown by the wind and gone forever.
The Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take Away: Because of the larger than normal chunk of verses, I won’t comment a lot in this devotional, but I just had to share with you how awesome the love of our God is! Notice that the Psalmist is awestruck by the incomprehensible love of the God of this universe. Notice that God is actively loving His children, even though He has to deal daily with the mess-ups and the tendency of His children to run from Him in spite of His great love. In fact, think about the cruel people, and the soldiers who beat Him, led Him up to the hill of Golgotha and hung Him on a wooden cross, like we would do to an animal we are about to slaughter. Yet Jesus loved those same soldiers enough that He never petitioned to His Father to strike them down or eliminate them, but He suffered and died for even their salvation. Friends, we have never seen love like this before! And this is not just a story from the greatest book ever written, for He loved even me and welcomed me into His family when I sought His forgiveness. He will do the same for you friend, no matter what you may be guilty of here in this life so far, connecting with our Savior and asking for His forgiveness will create in you a change that could only compare to the difference of darkness and light. Total transformation, but a very bright and promising one! Do you know this Savior of which I speak friend? Will you surrender to Him today, please? Read through my ‘Footnote’ for help and direct you in this very critical decision. Failing to do this, and remaining in your life of sin, will result in eternal damnation in the pits of Hell. This is all in the Book friend. The choice is yours, but the differences in your decision is eternal and totally opposite. I pray that you will make the wise and proper decision today, God being your helper and guide.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your perfect, sacrificial, eternal love for even me. Thank you for one day having prompted me with a message similar to the one presented here today. Please tender the hearts of those that I love and respect today, and the hearts of those reading this devotional. May they make a wise and permanent decision to accept Your offer of salvation today, for this is my humble prayer that I ask with thanksgiving, 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

Jesus, The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christianity, Eternal Life, Honest, 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 102:27–28
Today’s Bible Text: But you are always the same; you will live forever. The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT

My Take Away: I believe there are many things that we can reflect on from our past that we really liked, and that we wish was still around in lieu of the sometimes faulty things that we have available today to give, or refer to our kids. In fact, there were places that we once frequented that we can no longer refer to our kids, because they are no longer around. There are wise old folks – you know, like our grandparents and others, that we can no longer refer our descendants to, because they are no longer around. However, there were some stories told by grandparents who knew the Lord, that we have proven over our lifetimes, and as David reveals in this Psalm today, we can afford to share these with our kids and grandkids, because it is not only a sure thing, but God’s love will be available to those that would have Him, for as long as life here on earth continues. Friends, the beauty of this is that the stories passed on down to us are not just stories, but they are real experiences that took place during the lifetime of our ancestors. Similarly, there are stories we can pass down about the work of God in our lives – the work He is currently doing right in our lifetimes. The experiences that our kids and grandkids can experience are then reassured based on the stories of our experiences that we share with them! However friend, the stories that will be meaningful to them are the ones telling our our rich experiences with the Lord Jesus Christ, for those are very personal, and still very much available to our kids today. Do you know this Jesus that I am referring to? Can you share with your kids about the rich personal experiences you have encountered during your lifetime? We can enjoy the relationship with Him forever, if we have made the necessary commitment to be with God even after this life here on earth. Where do you stand friend? This is far more important that trying to store up a fat bank account for them to fight over, and this treasure of which I spoke, is everlasting, and it never fails!

Prayer: Father, I pray that the experiences our kids will discern from us and cherish during their lifetimes, would be the characteristics that they saw in us. The godly lives that we lived and the sincerity of living what we taught them to do. Please touch lives today, including mine, so that I may live the life that I claim in You. May others be drawn close to You because of Your character being lived out in me. You, oh Lord, are my all in all! Thank You for loving me and providing for my everlasting happiness! In Jesus precious name, 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

Our Testimony

On By Ed AlgreenIn Obedience, Salvation, Sin1 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: Titus 3:3-7
Today’s Bible Text: 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed, 5 he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us. 6 God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for.
The Bible Translation: Good News Translation (GNT)

My Take Away: In giving guidance to Titus about what to expect in ministry, Paul shared with him that he should be patient with the people, because he will find that they are no different to what they each experienced in their lives. In other words, Titus would find them in a foolish, sinful state. He would find them living hateful lives filled with malice and envy.  But they (Paul and Titus) were each the same, at one point in their lives. However, just like Paul wanted Titus to also remember how awesome God’s precious love was towards them, I believe God is reminding us, that when we approach folk who are steeped in sin, let’s never forget that we too were once in that very same condition. In fact the Bible tells us that even while we were still sinners, Jesus humbled Himself and sacrificed His life at Calvary so that we would not have to face eternal damnation for our sin, if we didn’t want to. He knew we were helpless and need all the help we could get. So He provided a perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sin – if we desire to seek His forgiveness and His hand of mercy and grace. Friends, we must be careful to never look down on people because of their sin. Yes, we want to see them change, but remember that’s a God thing, for only He can change a heart. Someone prayed for us, and one day we saw the awful stain and effects of sin in our lives, so we surrendered ourselves to the love and protection of our Master – Jesus Christ. We therefore have a responsibility to pray for our friends who, though they may seem hopeless to us, yet God has not given up on them, anymore than He loved us and never gave up on us. Let’s try to share our testimony with as many people as possible so that they can appreciate the love of God in saving us, knowing that He can also rescue them and turn their lives around.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for loving me enough to save me from a life of sin (unforgiveness, hatefulness, malice and envy). Even when I was deep in sin, You were on the cross praying that I would see hope in salvation from my sin. Father, I become frustrated when I see family and friends in that same dilemma, because I know that there is hope, and a Savior who made a way for their salvation. Please help me to do my part in praying for them, as You alone have the power to actually change their hearts and their desires. Please prompt your children with a desire to see their loved ones saved, and then to pray earnestly for them to recognize the Savior of this world. We need You desperately dear Lord. Please have Your will and way in our lives and the lives of those we love and hold dear to our heart. I ask these things in the name of Jesus, my wonderful 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

He Did That For You!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Forgiveness, God-honoring, Salvation1 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: Titus 2:11–14
Today’s Bible Text: God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: Ever heard a spouse, or a girlfriend or boyfriend say to their partner “And you did that for me?” You know – they are in shock that someone loves them enough to make a sacrifice on their behalf, just because they love them? It tends to put a whole new level of trust in that person, and a strong belief in your relationship! Suddenly you realize that they must truly love you! In our scripture today, it seems like Paul felt it was important for the ministry of Titus that no matter what he felt the people already knew about Jesus, that he should remind them again that there is no secret about how much God loves them, and about the awesome sacrifice He made at Calvary to prove His love for them. I feel compelled to share with my readers today the same message given to Titus, for it seems like depression in our friends and family is worsening, and impacting even children today. Don’t you realize friend that no matter how underserving you may feel, God is ready to forgive you, and give you eternal life filled with His wonderful love that is beyond human understanding or description? Don’t you know that you can be saved from your life of sin and disregard of God and take on a blessed, God-filled and God-honoring life? Don’t you know that this new life can begin right now, even though it may only be a sampling of the glorious life you will enjoy with Jesus when you leave this world that is so saturated with sin? Don’t you know that in spite of your present tendency to be mean and unforgiving towards others, that God will make you into a person energized in goodness? Friends, the above is not just vain promises that this Brother is offering to entice you into a relationship with God, although I wish there would be such an enticement possible, but I have merely expanded on the actual scripture written by Paul under the leadership and direction of the Holy Spirit. Please consider allowing that same Holy Spirit to guide you in your decisions today friend!

Prayer: Father, You are merciful and so forgiving. For while we were still sinners, You went to the cross of Calvary as a statement of Your love for us, and faced public shame and disgrace by the same folk that You would later forgive them of their sin. Unfortunately we are no better than most of them that tortured You that dark day, because in spite of Your love for us, yet we openly sin and disgrace Your precious name. Please consider once again forgiving us of our sin dear Lord. Please go to the extreme once again to melt our hardened hearts and convince us of our sin and our need for the Savior. Lord, I pray that You would have Your perfect way in our lives today and in the lives of those that we love. May this be the day of salvation for may who will read this devotional today, I pray this 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

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

On By Ed AlgreenIn Actions, Witness2 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: Titus 2:7–8
Today’s Bible Text: And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: Paul had just spent the greater portion of a chapter telling Titus how important it was to teach the older men, the older women and the younger men the importance of their lives reflecting the love and truths of God. However, to tie this all together Titus was warned that the sticking point in all this would come when he personally lived the life that he was teaching the people to live. In fact, even those who opposed their ministry would be ashamed as they would find nothing hypercritical to say about them. Friends, it is easy to teach someone what the Good Book says, but it is way more effective when you live the life that you are teaching about. I love that saying that is sometimes used: “your actions are speaking so loudly that I can barely hear what is coming from your lips!” I truly believe that the success of effective ministry by teachers, preachers and fellow Christians are borne from their actions many more times than through the words they speak. Based on this, are you challenged today to seek God’s help in redirecting your actions to be more effective in your ministry and/or witnessing? Let’s seek God’s face, allow Him to impact our lives, and extend Himself out through us in everything we do or say, all for His ultimate glory!

Prayer: Lord God, You are faithful to us in every way, and I am so appreciative of that! But I thank You today for reminding us that perhaps more impactful than the words we speak, are the actions we take towards our fellow mankind. Lord, may our actions today be way more reflective of Your teachings than anything we could possible say. Please minister to the unsaved, the discouraged and the despondent today through our actions, and if necessary, also through our words that would reflect Your teachings and Your will for them. We need You precious Lord, please direct our path today, all for Your glory and honor, 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

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