Know God Intimately!

On 2016-02-222016-02-22 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 2016-02-20 By Ed AlgreenIn Accountability, Example, WitnessLeave a comment

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!

2016

Living A Godly Life

On 2016-02-192016-02-19 By Ed AlgreenIn Godly actions, Godly lives, Like Jesus, SincereLeave a comment

Arbuckle

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!

2016

A Crude Description Of Our Times

On 2016-02-182016-02-18 By Ed AlgreenIn End Times, Example of Christ, Separated, SurrenderLeave a comment

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:

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;
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?
Be careful to seek our character and behavior from God – not from friends who may act like described by Paul;
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!

2016

Qualities of The Lord’s Servant

On 2016-02-172016-02-17 By Ed AlgreenIn Obedient, Servants of God, TeacherLeave a comment

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!

2016

Revive Us Again Oh Lord

On 2016-02-162016-02-16 By Ed AlgreenIn Forgiveness, Revival, WitnessLeave a comment

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!

2016

Empowered To Share

On 2016-02-152016-02-15 By Ed AlgreenIn Empowered, Evangelize, WitnessLeave a comment

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!

2016

God’s Will, Not Yours

On 2016-02-132016-02-13 By Ed AlgreenIn Discerning, God's Will, Submission, TrustLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Chronicles 14:8-10
Today’s Bible Text: When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he marched out to meet them. The Philistines arrived and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. So David asked God, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD replied, “Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: I want you to imagine with me for a moment that you were faced with a very challenging situation in life where, if you didn’t take action, it would probably be disastrous for you. Next, I want you to assume the role of David where you are told that an army of giants are coming out to get you. Before long you look out and there is the army coming towards you, and your battalion of soldiers are ready to whip the army who is threatening you. May I ask that you consider what your next move would be? If you read the verses above, you know that David stopped, dropped and prayed, asking God what He wanted him to do. More specifically, David must have felt like it was pretty near impossible for him to fight such a great army, because he asked God if He was going to handle the battle for him. Now, imagine the confidence that David and his troops marched forward with. Imagine how David didn’t have to stress over the situation, because the same God that He had trusted before, was now in control of this battle, and furthermore David was content that he was doing precisely what God wanted him to do. Would this not be the same for us if, in our desperate situations – those that seem impossible to us, or leaves us totally helpless, yet gloriously we know that we could move forward in confidence, knowing that our God has the wheel! He’s in control of the situation at hand! He is capable of conquering the situation and delivering us, free from stress, and victorious! Can you handle that friend? Will you trust God like that, friend? He hasn’t changed, and He is definitely just as awesome and strong as He was for David, so there is no need to hesitate or doubt. Let us practice asking God before we jump into battle, not asking for His endorsement after you make your decision. Your decision is made from a human perspective and may often not be in the way that God would direct. His ways are perfect, friend! Let’s learn to do it His way at all times, won’t you?

Prayer: Father God. Almighty, all powerful and awesome Father who is filled with wisdom and knowledge. Thank You for getting our attention this morning to probably the greatest shortcoming of the Christian. For in our weakness, we feel like we are strong and could fight our battles alone, or at least until it’s time to call You in to our rescue. On the other hand, I believe that non-believers feel they could call on You in trouble, but have nothing to do with You the rest of the time. Lord, we are failures in our relationships, especially the all important relationship with You. Please forgive us Lord. Cause us to humble ourselves and ask for Your help before advancing in to the obvious, or our selfish desire. Please help us to learn from David, for twice in the same chapter of 1 Chronicles 14 did he recognize Your lordship and Your awesome power, so he asked You before making decisions. May we learn to be obedient to Your will oh Lord, and not default to our selfish and prideful will first. As You deliver our enemies to us, or are victories over our life-challenges, may we be ready to celebrate and use those moments as a testimony to our lost world. In love and awe-felt respect and honor, I ask these things in the name of Jesus, AMEN!

2016

Faultless Until Jesus Comes?

On 2016-02-092016-02-12 By Ed AlgreenIn Committed, Dedicated, FaultlessLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Timothy 6:11-14
Today’s Bible Text: But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: Timothy’s mentor, Paul, wanted to make sure that Timothy kept the faith and remained true to his calling. Is that any different to us, and the decisions that we make to serve God? We want to remain true and faithful in the decision we made to live like Jesus. So what can we learn from Paul’s advice that might help us? Paul instructed Timothy to:

Run from the appearance of evil – I believe that we tend to think that we are strong enough to stand firm even in challenging situations, and even when there is the appearance of evil. But then we are deeply trapped before we realize that we have been distracted in our Christian walk, and unable to easily escape. What if we intentionally stayed clear of those scenarios altogether?
Pursue, or intentionally go after: righteousness; a godly life; faith; love; perseverance and gentleness;
Fight the good fight for true faith – don’t just read about it, or speak about it, but fight evil and pursue after the faith that saves mankind, and that God has delivered you into;
Hold tight to eternal life that is yours in Christ Jesus – keep the end in mind when you are making decisions today. Don’t just say things and do things that might misrepresent whose you are. You’re a child of the King and living in anticipation of the home He has prepared for you, where you will rejoice and praise Him throughout all eternity! Don’t be distracted in your walk towards that eternal goal!

Being faithful in these things will help you stay faultless before a generation whose aim is to tear you down and win you over to their evil ways and practices. The aim of the Christian is to live with Jesus one day, for eternity in heaven. To accomplish that, we need to live our lives today in honor of Him and for His glory. Are you there yet, friend? How about asking God to guide you, like Paul guided Timothy. Reading God’s Word and looking for characteristics like these presented by Paul in our scripture today is a start towards a life of holiness. May I encourage you to keep on reading and keep on looking for the character of Jesus Christ, our mediator and our guide to all things ‘God’ ordained!

Prayer: Thank You for Your Word oh Lord, and thank You for loving us enough to care about how we live. Thank You for giving us the guide to living life in accordance with Your desire for us. Please give us a daily desire to be more like You in every aspect of our lives. Please enlighten our minds as we read Your Word so that Your Holy Spirit might prompt us to overcome our weaknesses and faults. Lord, it would seem that we need to be faultless before our fellow man if we ever expect to be the hands and feet of Jesus, but we can only do that through Your strength, guidance and wisdom. Please work in us even today Lord Jesus, for I ask these things in Your strong and matchless name. AMEN!

2016

God Will Prevail!

On 2016-01-192016-01-19 By Ed AlgreenIn Deliverer, Ruler, The love of God, The power of GodLeave a comment

The Bible Reference: Judges 2:11-13; Philippians 1:12-14
The Bible Text: (Judges 2:11-13) The People of Israel did evil in GOD’s sight: they served Baal-gods; they deserted GOD, the God of their parents who had led them out of Egypt; they took up with other gods, gods of the peoples around them. They actually worshiped them! And oh, how they angered GOD as they worshiped god Baal and goddess Astarte!

(Phil 1:12-14) I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah.
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: I was impacted by two passages of scripture, and both made me reflect on the types of individuals that my God made, and allowed to exist here on earth. In the first scripture we see where the Israelites thought they had everything figured out, so they lost sight of God and worshipped false gods instead. Now look at us – ever noticed how full our churches get after a disaster? For a few Sundays after the 9-11 disaster, our churches were filled. However as soon as folk felt like they were safe to return to their sinful lifestyles, church-going took an unimportant place in their lives. Friends, have you ever stopped to ponder why we hear so many concerns about what appears to be doom and gloom whenever we hear groups talking? Wouldn’t you think that just as God got upset at the Israelites for straying away from Him and worshipping other gods, that He is very likely to also get upset at us for turning our backs on Him? Especially when we really trusted Him to see us recover from the disasters, but soon afterwards wanted nothing to do with God or His body of believers? God declared war on the Israelites, and He even worked against them in their battles. Could He be doing the same thing in our country, our state, our cities, our churches and our families? But look at Paul’s testimony. He was thrown into prison for his beliefs and his bold testimony of what God had done in his life. Ordinarily we would consider that a write-off, for we would think that Paul, or any other Christian in a similar position today, would be silenced and unable to continue witnessing for the Lord. Paul shared in our second scripture that God was able to use him even more in the prison environment – praise the Lord. I have a good friend in a similar scenario, and God is actively using him in the prison system. Friends, I would challenge you today to never give up on God. Never turn your back on Him, for He can use you in every scenario of life, if only you will let Him. Remember, whether it’s through the times when you feel on top of the world and see God actively involved in your life, or times when you are calling on God, but feel alone in this world, God will prevail, and He could easily prevail in all circumstances of our life, if we will let Him. God WILL prevail! And we will also, if we allow God to rule, reign and operate in every circumstance of our lives. Try it friend! What do you have to lose, when you have eternity to gain?

Prayer: Father, please forgive us for so easily giving up on You and instead grabbing the reins ourselves to create such an awful mess for ourselves. Please forgive us for our littleness, and our attraction to the things of this world, rather than remaining faithful and strong to You. Please touch the lives of Your children who will read this devotional today. May they gain strength from Your Word, and may their eyes be opened to the awful effects of sinful and disobedient actions, as shown in Your Word today. Lord, You alone are worthy and so deserving of our praise, while we are so needy and so dependent on You in every aspect of our lives. Please hear our cries today as we seek Your face and desire Your precious hand upon our lives. I ask these things in faith and in recognition of who You are, in the strong and wonderful name of Jesus, my Lord, Savior and soon coming King, AMEN!

2016

Nuggets From God's Word

Tag: Deliverer

Because He is coming To Rule as King

Living A Godly Life

A Crude Description Of Our Times

Qualities of The Lord’s Servant

Revive Us Again Oh Lord

Empowered To Share

God’s Will, Not Yours

Faultless Until Jesus Comes?

God Will Prevail!