Tag: disciples

Understanding Jesus’ First Sign: Lessons in Faith

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

DATE POSTED
Wednesday, February 12, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read it in your Bible or click John 2:1-11 to read it in the Amplified Bible (AMP).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
For those of us that have been around Bible teachings and sermons for a while, we could easily say what the first miracle of Jesus was, but look closely at the words of today’s Scripture and you will note that several versions of the Bible are clear that this was the first sign offered by Jesus, and it spoke volumes to the people who witnessed this ‘superhuman’ act that had an awesome, spiritual, meaning and impact. This miracle was the first of many that were designed to show that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. By performing this sign, He showed His relationship with God and where His power came from. He revealed to men that He was indeed God – manifest (revealed) in the flesh. Let’s think of the ways, and then we will remind ourselves how this is still so relevant today.

  • Verse 11 declares that the disciples were so impacted by this sign that they were convinced of the power of the One they chose to follow. In a Bible Study last night, I was reminded that the people may listen to what my pastor, church leaders, or I have to say, but when they experience, through our daily living, that we live out what we preach or teach, they are more impacted and often make a decision to know the God in whom we trust, serve and share with others. This was evident in the experience of the disciples with this first miracle/sign by their spiritual leader – Jesus!
  • Jesus chose to perform this first miracle at a wedding. Coincidence? Friends, Jesus knows every hair on our head and He knows our very thoughts that lead us either closer or Him or deeper into sin. So, I have no question that this miracle was very much in line with the Father’s plan for all those who were privileged to experienced it. Think about these in attendance:
    • The bride and groom – When the head waiter tasted the new wine, he immediately called the bridegroom. Now, in a wedding, please stop for a moment and think how miraculous it is for a man of one culture and background to join heart, soul and mind with a woman – different gender, culture and background. But what an amazing eye-opening experience it must have been for this groom to hear of the parallel with this first miracle of Jesus. If one’s soul is emptied of all contaminants (sin), totally cleansed, sterilized and refilled with the very basic elements of life, blessed by the Son of God, and that love shared with all those who came to witness your union, don’t you think that you might be better prepared, internally at least, for what might lie ahead in your new married life?
    • The disciples – already willing followers of Jesus, and they probably already witnessed how He lived each day quite differently to anything they were used to, yet to now witness something they had never before seen, this must have been an awesome point of reaffirmation for them. In fact, verse 11 states that the disciples believed [confidently] in Him [as the Messiah—they adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him]. As a follower of Jesus Christ, or one considering His invitation, what might it take for you to reach this stage in your life?
    • The invited guests – in the skeptical world in which we live, and the individuals that we encounter who first appear so suspicious, can you imagine the gossip that went around that wedding reception that day? After all, who is this man? By whose authority or power is He able to do something so miraculous? Why in a crowd where Jews or other unbelievers are? Isn’t he afraid of provoking their anger? Is He for real?

Friends, this Jesus of whom we have looked at closely today – He is alive today, and He has promised through the Word of God that where two or three are gathered in His name, He will be right there in our midst. His power is still intact. I am convinced that He will be at our Wednesday night service tonight, and He will be in our midst on Sunday at all services where we meet to worship He and the Father. Please make it a point to be at church and prepare yourself for any miracles Jesus may choose to perform this week. He already knows your needs, just be there and be vigilant about His powerful work that He may choose to perform. Be a part of this, my friends! He has a special ‘sign’ to convince you of who He is!

PRAYER
Lord, for many of us, we may be at a point in life where we say with our lips ‘Lord, I believe’, but it may take a miracle such as we were reminded about today, to convince our innermost person that You are indeed ‘The Christ’. In some circles we may call that person a ‘doubting Thomas’, but it took Your first sign/miracle to truly convince Your first disciples to completely trust in You. For some of us, we’ve experienced miracles personally or perhaps been exposed to Your power in the lives of others. Whether it’s for the first time believer, or for the longtime believer who just needs a jolt from their lackadaisical faith that has grown cold, I just pray that You will hear our cry for more of You and place us right in the middle of Your miracles to show us Your power that is always expressed lovingly to those who need it.

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

Instructions For The Called

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

DATE POSTED Thursday, 2021-08-19
WRITTEN AT: Hattiesburg, MS

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 10:2-3
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 2 These were his instructions….: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

APPLICATION: There are some specific instructions that Jesus gave to the 70 that He called to join Him in ministry. For those readers and listeners who accepted the call of Jesus on your life, I believe that He has also passed these instructions on to us. Think on these things and ask God’s guidance, strength and guidance on you as you seek to implement these:
– -> Accept the call – Jesus called approximately 70 additional disciples to go on mission with Him. They had to accept His call, and I pray that each reader/listener will do the same;
– -> Pray – I found it very interesting that one of the first things instructed by Jesus was that His newly called disciples would ‘pray’ for additional workers. I am reminded that Jesus knew the importance of communion with Him (prayer), because that’s where our strength comes from. Jesus also knew that although He would be sending out 6 times the number of disciples, the needs out in the world far exceeded what these additional men could cover. Today it seems like fewer and fewer are accepting the call to missions, or evangelism so of course we must begin to pray the moment that we are called into the Kingdom of heaven, for more workers;
– -> Go – It seems like Jesus sent these disciples both cautiously as well as fully prepared. Imagine being sent into a community of unsaved, evil, criminally-minded people without any warning? It seems like the evil ones try every trick in the book to devour those who come to their rescue, or trying to help them. But notice that Jesus warned the disciples to avoid being just like the evil folk that they would minister to. In fact He told them to be just the opposite – like lambs, even though their audience will be quick to show them how they favor devouring wolves;
In the very last instruction, you might question why believers/disciples may agree to ‘go’ even under such conditions as described by Jesus. I believe we will agree to go when we acknowledge love for our brothers and sisters – regardless of their beliefs, their criminal records, or their attitudes towards God. We will also be reminded of the real love that Jesus has for us, as we see Him preparing an army of evangelists to go out and bless the unsaved.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Jesus loves all the children of the world! That’s not just a cute children’s chorus, but we are reminded that Jesus called 6 times the number of disciples to pray for more disciples to go out and reach the unsaved. I believe that still today Jesus will call an army to make sure that we are loved and cared for!

PRAYER: Thanks for the reminder that we were not saved to sit and sour, but called to join Your team of disciples who will pray for more disciples, while going on mission to reach the unsaved in our communities and throughout the world. Thank You Lord for that kind of love. Just as You spoke of faith to move mountains, I believe You are assuring us today that You stand ready to call an army of believers/disciples to reach the unsaved and reenergize the saved. I am reminded of Your great love for Your children dear Lord. Thank You! Now bless us as we go out in Your name and for Your kingdom. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Authorities Threatened By Christians

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

DATE POSTED Friday, 2021-08-13
WRITTEN AT: Hattiesburg, MS

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 9:1-3; 5-7;
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT:  1 Jesus called together his twelve apostles and gave them complete power over all demons and diseases. 2 Then he sent them to tell about God’s kingdom and to heal the sick. 3 He told them, “Don’t take anything with you! Don’t take a walking stick or a traveling bag or food or money or even a change of clothes.
5 If people won’t welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet as a warning to them.”
6 The apostles left and went from village to village, telling the good news and healing people everywhere.
7 Herod the ruler heard about all that was happening, and he was worried…. 

APPLICATION: In my early years of life, I remember community-wide tent revivals; street corner evangelism; home visitation by pastors; hospital visits by pastors and church leaders, etc. As we consider what the future might look like for the church of Jesus Christ (His bride), we may add to the list I just mentioned, that we remember when folk got up, picked up family and friends they invited to attend church with them, went on to church and worshipped God in the company of other believers. Isn’t it strange how times change? I believe it is highly debatable if things have changed for the better, but we can certainly see where many things that have worked well in the past, have been phased out by the modern church. In 1987 I continued my banking career in a small town in central Florida. I was told about the good old days when the bank closed on Wednesday afternoons to allow staff time to be ready for church that evening. Furthermore, they recalled when city officials would call the churches to see if anything was planned for a given date before they would add a city-wide event to the calendar. As years went by, I remember churches having to check with the city calendar before planning a church community-wide event. Before Covid, I remember Sunday School teachers complaining about the number of parents who weren’t able to attend their class because of planned sports competitions for their kids on Sunday. Friends, this is not just a reflection on our times, but I hope that this might cause you to consider whether our town has become one that Jesus’ apostles would have shaken the dust from their feet and moved on from. Today we have young men and women who attend seminary to best prepare them for ministry in their local churches. Are they graduating to continue the work for which Jesus first called His apostles? Would they survive the orders of Jesus to leave everything at home, especially their electronic devices, so they could depend on God as they go and minister in His name to a nation of people who really need the Lord? An old, retired missionary shared the story of his call into ministry. Before going to the mission field, he sold his home and gave the proceeds to the local church, for he was convinced that the same God who called Him, would care for him while doing the Master’s work for which he was called. Did he have faith in his calling? Oh my, if any of us would dare to be that bold, perhaps the presence of God will overwhelm us and strengthen our faith to a degree that we would depend on God for everything in our time of ministry. But notice in the Scripture today that there was emphasis also placed on church members, for Jesus was sure that they would welcome His ministers into their homes and provide everything personally needed while in that town. I remember my parents and other senior members of my childhood church preparing for visiting preachers and putting them up, if needed. Today I’m afraid that it’s way too easy to place a visiting preacher into a hotel and let them fend for themselves. What has changed? Do we compartmentalize the space where we will permit Jesus also? Do you suppose that the world really sees any difference in God’s people anymore? Do we truly stand firm on the Word of God and earn the respect of our City Council; our State officials; our senators and our President? Do you suppose that Jesus is proud to present us to our unsaved world and His children, who represent Him perfectly? It’s not too late for us to ask for God’s guidance, strength and boldness in doing this!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: In humility, boldness and with a willing heart, follow the commands of Jesus and be confident in knowing that God will provide for our every need.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, just as You ordered Your apostles to step out in faith knowing that You will supply their every need, through the waits that would accommodate them, I believe that You are still encouraging us today to also take a step of faith. People need the Lord, and many of them will never know about Your love unless we tell them and show them. Use us as Your instruments Lord, so that our people may know about You and believe. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Do You Still Not See or Understand?

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

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2021-08-04
WRITTEN AT: Hattiesburg, MS

SCRIPTURE FROM: Mark 8:17-19
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 17 Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus said to them, “Why all this fussing over forgetting to bring bread? Do you still not see or understand what I say to you? Are your hearts still hard? 18 You have good eyes, yet you still don’t see, and you have good ears, yet you still don’t hear, neither do you remember. 19 When I multiplied the bread to feed more than five thousand people, how many baskets full of leftovers did you gather afterward?”…

APPLICATION: The disciples had heard about the various miracles of God from their forefathers, and they themselves had witnessed miracle after miracle by Jesus since they started following Him. Yet in their time of need they totally overlooked being in the presence of this same Jesus as they pondered where they would get provisions (food) from as they travelled back over the lake. How does this compare to you? I tried to evaluate my life and my belief system as I meditated on this Scripture. I have read about the miracles God performed in the Old Testament, especially the miracles performed for Moses and the Israelites. I have read, and heard in Sunday School many times about the miracles of Jesus in the New Testament. In my lifetime: I have heard how Jesus healed a young girl’s ear because of the sincere prayers of her pastor and her prevailing faith. She found the proof on her pillow the very next morning where the poisons and abscess had oozed from her ear; I have heard of how Jesus healed a dedicated Christian lady who, in faith, pleaded with Him for healing after suffering a stroke, and how her body regained strength in record time. Her healing was expedited by the Master!; I heard how, in faith, a couple prayed during a hurricane for their safety, and how they were prompted to move out of their home, only to turn around and watch it be demolished from strong winds and water; I have personally experienced God at work miraculously as my wife and I petitioned Him for a major direction in moving from the Bahamas to the United States of America. When we told my dad of our decision, he was in shock that we would do such a thing, seeing that he and my mom were getting much older. Within a year of our move, my dad sat next to me while he was recovering from doctors help here in the US with his heart and said ‘Now I could see what God was doing in getting you over here’! Praise the Lord! But friends, I’m no different to you, nor the disciples, for despite all of the above reinforcement of my faith, I still tend to try everything in my power, before running to God. I still tend to think that miracles may be possible for the other person, but I’m on my own when needing one of my own. No doubt you have overcome this weakness my friend, so let me encourage you to share your faith in Christ with everyone you come into contact with. Celebrate your victories with everyone that you know, so that they might be encouraged to approach the throne for themselves, and their faith may be strengthened because of your witness. I am hoping that today Jesus might look at you and I and say like He did to the woman with the issue of blood: ‘Because of your faith, you are healed’. Oh that our faith will be increased every day so that Jesus will not question why we have followed in the steps of the disciples in feeling like His miraculous touch is for everyone else, except us. May it become very clear to us that because of our faith, OUR GOD CAN DO ALL THINGS!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God stands ready to hear the prayers of His faithful servants, and to respond with immediate action. Praise the Lord!

PRAYER: ‘It’s not my brother or my sister, but it’s me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer’. For I approach the throne way too often with the same mindset as the disciples. I know You did it for others, but will You even consider also listening to my prayer concerns? Oh dear Lord, please refresh my soul with power from on high, and help me to come boldly before the throne knowing that as Your precious child, there is nothing You wouldn’t do in response to my heart’s cry. Perhaps many of my readers and listeners are also burdened with this issue. Please also touch their hearts and boost their faith levels to peak performance today. Based on all that we know You have done, may we always approach Your throne knowing that You could do it again – for us! Praise to the Lord our God! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Don’t Be Offended

On By Ed AlgreenIn Representation of the Master, Servants of God, WitnessLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? May this be a day that we will represent Jesus well, and not be offended by those who might reject Him! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: Luke 10:16
Today’s Bible Text: My followers, whoever listens to you is listening to me. Anyone who says “No” to you is saying “No” to me. And anyone who says “No” to me is really saying “No” to the one who sent me.
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take Away: Many of our churches will ordain ministers/pastors, and some may ordain elders and possibly deacons. While this is an honorable thing, I want to encourage all believers to feel an obligation to share the joy of their salvation with everyone that they come into contact with. When we ordain today, it’s generally for specific ministries, or it may be for general ministry of the gospel. We then give instructions to go out in the name of Jesus and serve. This follows very closely what Jesus did when He chose about 70 additional disciples, as we find in verse 1 of this chapter. In all fairness, Jesus told the chosen disciples that they will be entering a hostile world, but He instructed them to ‘PRAY’ and ‘GO”, remembering who sent them. In this little verse, God drew my attention to the fact that some will reject the message that we have to relay from God, and there are mind-sobering thoughts to consider here. Basically we are being reminded that although we may faithfully share the Word of God, there will be some who reject what we have to say. Jesus encourages us to consider that the offenders are not really rejecting us, but instead the One who sacrificed His very life at Calvary for them. Furthermore, because Jesus was under direct instruction from His Father, the offenders are really rejecting God himself. In short, when we are obedient to the call of Christ, and to His command to go and preach, or witness to others, we must be prepared for God being offended and rejected. For He is the One instructing Jesus, who instructed us to go and share His Word in the first place. This is not intended to help us feel better, but rather to not take the offense personal. A diplomat sent to represent his head of state is generally a very honored person. We too should feel honored that our Head of State, God the Father, reached down and tapped us on the shoulder as a ‘diplomat’ to represent Him before a lost world! Let us serve as an honored man/woman/servant, God being our helper and guide!

Prayer: Thank You for choosing even me to be Your faithful representative/diplomat dear Jesus. I believe there are many reading this devotional today who may also feel privileged in a similar way. We need Your power, guidance and limitless love for all mankind, as we go our way today. May they see Jesus and come to know Him personally! 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

Do You Really Belong To Jesus?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Commitment, Salvation, SurrenderLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE – John 13:6-10 – The Contemporary English Version (CEV): 6 But when he came to Simon Peter, that disciple asked, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You don’t really know what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “You will never wash my feet!” Peter replied. “If I don’t wash you,” Jesus told him, “you don’t really belong to me.” 9 Peter said, “Lord, don’t wash just my feet. Wash my hands and my head.” 10 Jesus answered, “People who have bathed and are clean all over need to wash just their feet. And you, my disciples, are clean, except for one of you.”

THOUGHTS: There’s a lovely old hymn entitled ‘Are You Washed In the Blood of The Lamb‘, and unless we grasp the full understanding of those lyrics, we may miss the whole point of the song, and this scripture that we are looking at today. Friends, even in the case of the disciples, Jesus saw where it was necessary to challenge them into surrendering themselves fully. Way too often, I’m afraid that we make a decision to accept the Lord because of outside pressures – perhaps it was mom who prayed endlessly for us and provoked us at every opportunity to surrender to the call of Jesus. Perhaps it’s a spouse who is threatening to leave us, unless we give ourselves to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Or perhaps that old preacher who ‘bugs the tar out of us’ every time he sees us. Often when we do something for the sake of others, we tend to get them off our back, but nothing has really impacted our heart. For a moment, consider a decision made under one of the scenarios I just gave, and compare this to a case where God truly got a hold of your heart and caused you to personally, willingly, and not under any outside pressures, provoked you to personally decide that today is the day of salvation. In other words, you are personally seeking the face of Jesus. Which one would you suspect might have the longest lasting impact? Let’s remember, Jesus knew the heart of each disciple, so as He knelt before them to wash their feet He really knew and understood what the motives were behind their being there, and what was going on in their minds at the time. But friends, nothing has changed in the power of God to know and understand our hearts and our minds today. He knows how committed we truly are to Him. He knows whether our walk is sincere, or whether our words are the same around church as they are out in the field where we interact with abrasive coworkers. He knows if we claim Him as Lord on church day, but put Him ‘on a shelf’ until we need Him or find ourselves around church folk again. Friends, like Jesus told Peter, unless He washes every piece of our being with His cleansing power – His blood that was shed on Calvary for the cleansing of our sin, then our lives will be a farce, and we will always pretend that we are something that we really are not in our hearts. You know, this Christianity thing – this salvation thing – is all relational, it’s not a game, or a thing that is dependent on who could act this thing out the best. Is it truly evident from the way you live, that Jesus has truly gotten hold of your life, washed away the old selfish life of sin, and given you a brand new life where it is evident that you are not the ‘pilot’, but instead, you are led by the Savior of this world – the God of this universe, and the King of all kings? If not, may I encourage you to read God’s Word daily to seek His perfect will for your life? May I also encourage you to chat daily with our Lord? This opens the doors of communication with Him, and this is vital to every relationship – especially the one you should develop with Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: Father, I am concerned that many may be in the same boat as Peter, where they feel like they have everything under control – their control. Your Word is very clear that unless You wash us clean of all our sin, we are not really Yours. Please open the eyes of those pretending today, so that they may fully understand Your call on their lives. Please open eyes and soften hearts so that each reader will closely examine themselves and see the need for a thorough cleansing by You. Full surrender is a must, and I pray that no one will miss that point to consider seriously today. May You be very active in each of our lives today, is my humble and sincere prayer that I ask 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 read through Biblical truths on How To Know Jesus, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will 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 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, Sebring, FL! 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!

The ‘Right Words’ – From God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Allegiance to the Lamb, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Disciple, Faith, Follow Jesus, God our Provider, God Reigns, God’s Word, Humility, Listen to the Word of God, Righteousness, Share God’s Word, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

Scripture: Matthew 10 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

….don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  Matt 10:19-20 (NLT)

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I believe that one of the greatest fears that we have as Christians, is wondering if we will have the right words to say when we witness to someone about Jesus. In these verses Jesus told His disciples, who He was readying to send into the world as His witnesses, “don’t worry about that, because it won’t be you doing the speaking, but the Spirit of the heavenly father”. This is the peace that we need to have when we approach others. First of all. I believe that our personal ‘witness’ would have already been evident to them, because they would have looked at our actions long before thinking about listening to us. Secondly, when we represent Jesus, He will, like He did with His first disciples, allow His Holy Spirit to speak through us. So really, all we need to do is to be obedient and share His love with others around us and leave the rest up to the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. Let’s not mess it up by adding our two cents. Jesus knows the heart, mind and condition of the individuals we approach, so it is extra fitting that we allow Him to take control and speak the right words through us. This should take all the stress out of witnessing!

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father I believe that You know all that goes on around us, and You know the stress that we place on ourselves when we try to do the work that You have told us to leave up to You. Please help me to surrender this stress to You and allow You to speak the words through me in those opportunities that I have to share Your love and salvation. I know that it’s no different today than it was with Your first disciples, so please get my attention when I try to blurt out the wrong words (those of self) so that I may stop and give You the controls where the right words will flow and the effectiveness of Your Holy Spirit will be very evident to the one with whom I am trying to witness to. You alone are God! Thank You!

Reach Out and Touch Him In Faith

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Faith, Follow Jesus, God Cares For Us, God our Helper, Healing, Hope, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Power of Prayer, RighteousnessLeave a comment

Scripture: Matthew 9

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him.20 Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe,21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.  Matt 9:19-22 (NLT)

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Like the woman with the issue of blood who followed Jesus and knew that if she could only touch Him she would be healed, today we too reach out to Jesus with all we have in us, knowing that He can heal us or mend our brokenness. Jesus looked at the lady in this story and told her that because of her faith, she was healed. Friends, this is the same Jesus that we serve today, and He is still looking for our faith and sincerity so that He can say the same thing to us. We know that many of our problems are well beyond our abilities. We know that all things are possible with, and through Jesus. Let us then place our faith and trust in the one with all the answers, with all the power to bring about the miracles that we need in our lives. Let’s let go and let God have His way with us. Let’s surrender to His power so that His miracle hand can begin a great work in us! Like the woman reached out to touch Jesus for her healing, let’s reach out and touch Him today.

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father thank You for this reminder today, that I must reach out to the one with all the answers, the only One with all the power to heal and/or change things in and around me. You are in control and can be counted on to heal me as I reach out in faith to You. Please help me daily to walk in faith, help me to keep my eyes so focused on You that I will always surrender my concerns to You and allow Your power to work miracles in my life and in all walks of life that affect me. Speak the word today dear God and heal my concerns, may my walk with You become richer today as a result of my faith. Thank You for loving me so much to hear my prayer and work in and through me.

I Serve the master of the storms

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Disciple, Faith, God Cares For Us, Obedience, Righteousness, Surrender, Thank You Jesus, Victorious Life, Worry no moreLeave a comment

Scripture: Matthew 8 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

23 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples.24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”26 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm.27 The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” Matt 8:23-27 (NLT)

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

With the advent of another year and all the challenges that we could possibly face, I thought that this was a good reminder that for those who know the Lord, we have a connection with the One that can not only calm the forces of nature, but also has the power to handle every little circumstance of our lives. I pray that we will have the audacity to go first to the Master of the winds and waves, the Master of every thing that affects us as individuals, and seek His guidance and ask Him to save us, like the disciples did in the above story. There is no one else that we can turn to with that kind of power, like He does; no one who will understand our needs, like He does; no one who will love us unconditionally, like He does, because sometimes we bring the storms of life on ourselves. As we stand at the beginning of 2011 with many unknowns ahead of us, I want to be constantly reminded of the awesome God that I serve, and I want to always be open to His leading and His direction for my life.

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

What an awesome God that I serve, and oh how appreciative I am of the fact that He watches out for me and has all power, that I may surrender in confidence all my concerns and challenges! I pray that I will reach beyond what my eyes can see and what my mind can fathom, but through the power of God accomplish all that He may have in store for me in 2011. How comforting to know that I serve the Master of the winds and waves, the Creator of all mankind and the One that has shown so love towards me that He sacrificed His one and only Son for my good!