Tag: Discipline

God Enjoys Doing Good For His Righteous Children

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

DATE POSTED
Wednesday, July 2nd. 2025, and I was blessed to be at Westgate Vacation Villas, Orlando, FL 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 Jeremiah 32:36.41 in your Bible or click on it to read it online in the New Century Version (NCV).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced earlier, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional. Despite its title, the Scripture begins with God explaining how He disciplines His children when they disobey and reject His commands. God wanted Jeremiah to understand that his fears of his country’s destruction were part of a greater plan to draw His people closer to Him and give them a clearer vision of His love and desire to bless them. I especially appreciate the ‘BUT’ in verse 36 because it reveals that God wasn’t finished with the Israelites—He had a greater plan for them beyond their discipline.

This isn’t just a story from centuries ago. Many nations today have strayed far from God and the principles He gave us in His Word. This isn’t exclusive to unbelievers; even Christians have become lukewarm, as I was reminded during a sermon last Sunday. We’ve grown too comfortable adopting worldly standards instead of following the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. Most of us are likely aware of the ways we’ve been lukewarm. For instance, some regular churchgoers changed their habits during COVID, and even now, they continue to stay home, watching services on TV while reclining with their devices. We might call that “going to church,” but the Bible encourages assembling together with like-minded believers. While I’m not a Bible scholar, I struggle to see how we can truly connect with our Christian neighbors, understand their challenges, and share the joys we’ve experienced in the Word throughout the week if we simply turn on the TV and half-heartedly listen to the Word of God being taught. While I know you’ll be grateful I’m not your judge, I want to emphasize that our eternal Judge knows every tiny detail about us—our deepest thoughts, intentions, and mindset toward Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. What we take in will ultimately come out. If the love, teachings, and presence of Jesus fill your soul during the week, I believe you’d naturally want to celebrate that with God and your fellow believers in corporate worship. Ultimately, you’ll answer for this before our all-knowing God.

Verse 41 stood out to me in the Scriptures today, reminding me that the God I adore said He will delight in doing good for His people who are called by His name! Maybe you feel indifferent, but I often think I call on God so much that I might be annoying Him. Yet, that’s not what the Bible says. In verse 41, He declares, “I will enjoy doing good to them. And with my whole being I will surely plant them in this land and make them grow.” Wow! The very thing the Israelites might have thought God despised—the reason He was sending them away—He instead says He will take joy in blessing them. Only a God like this can truly teach us about righteousness, forgiveness, and obedience, for no one else has such a heart.

PRAYER
Not many of us openly admit to loving discipline, Lord, but we all desire to walk in Your perfect way and let Your blessings flow to those we meet. Throughout biblical accounts, it’s evident that Your deep love for Your people led You to discipline them when they strayed. Yet today, we often mistake it as being forgotten or unheard by our Master and Lord. Please forgive us, Lord, for our impatience and doubt in believing You always work for our good. Discipline now brings joy in Your presence with a clear conscience later. We long to obey Your Word, follow Your teachings, and live by the example You set for us. We want to do what’s right, and while we know Satan’s power is no match for us, we are confident that You hold the power over all creation. Humble us to accept You as our Guide, Deliverer, Sustainer, Healer, and soon-coming King, and to share this joy with everyone we meet! AMEN!

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. I pray that 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, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching 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 invite God to work through you to bless 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!

The Promise of Restoration: Insights from Jeremiah’s Message

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

DATE POSTED
Tuesday, June 24, 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 Jeremiah 31:33-34 in your Bible or click on it to read it online in the New Living Translation (NLT).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you have taken a moment to read the Scripture I referenced above, so that my thoughts here will make more sense to you. Jeremiah was used by God to warn the Israelites about the discipline that would come to them. However, as we see in these verses today, he also had a message of great hope for them. This is also the situation today for those who disobey God. He will discipline us and get our attention to turn from our wicked ways, but in the book of Revelation, there is amazing hope for all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the chapters leading up to this one, we learned how, because of their great sin, God chose to discipline His children – His chosen people, in a way that seems extremely harsh to many. However, for those of us who have been around long enough, we know that it sometimes takes harsh discipline to truly get our attention and make it stick. But in today’s lesson, it is so rewarding to reflect on the outcome of that discipline. For in every discipline, we have a choice of returning to our same old sin, or to show that we learned a valuable lesson and are willing to do it right post-discipline. It is always easier to handle discipline when we have our eyes and hearts set on the hope that lies ahead, and I believe that God did just that for His people in this Scripture today.

Think seriously and deeply about this, friends. Assume for a moment that your nation is constantly struggling to fight off evil and the threat of war from an enemy nation. Now assume that your nation has been so unfaithful to God that He has demanded that your whole nation become subjects of that enemy nation. Wouldn’t you feel like the bottom just dropped out of your whole life and that there is absolutely no hope for any future worth living for? Can’t you imagine how the Israelites must have felt in being ruled by the Babylonians? BUT, in today’s Scripture, we are reminded that God will take care of His own and that He would never put more on us than we could handle. Yes, He did what He had to do in disciplining His children when all else failed to get their attention, but He also knew that He would one day bring them back home to where His glory would once again be displayed!

Unfortunately, this is very similar to our situation today. In His Word, God also offers us a ‘Promised Land’, one filled with the joys of Heaven in the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one where there are streets of pure gold! Unfortunately, many in each of our countries have deliberately conceded to Satan instead. We have assumed a lifestyle that often is a mockery in the eyes of God. In many areas of life today, it is often challenging to discern the difference between a child of the Great High, and one who has chosen to do life their own way – the way of the world. Some might say that they are waiting until the end of life, as we know it here on earth, to surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ. When might that be, dear friends? Children, teenagers, middle-agers, and seniors are dying unexpectedly for various reasons today, and the same could very likely happen to you, my appreciated reader.

In the New Testament, God offered us a New Covenant in the person of Jesus Christ. In this Covenant, we are told that we have a way out of this unrighteousness that we find ourselves in, but only those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. In other words, those who have not taken that step belong to Satan and will be given over to Hell for all eternity. If you were to tell your relatives right now where they will find you when you die, will it be Heaven or Hell? Only you can make that change, for you must surrender to Jesus for yourself. No proxies are allowed, for there is no provision for that in God’s Word. I’m ready to go home to my Father in Heaven, my good friends, and I sure hope that I will see you at the foot of Jesus worshipping Him with me. If unsure, or if you know that you never expressed faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please read my Footnote and especially click on the link ‘To Know Jesus’ for Biblical help in making the most important decision you ever made in your life. Jesus loves you and He wants you to make this decision, dear friend!

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Your love is expressed throughout Your Word, and I was reminded of that as I meditated on today’s verses. Thank You for the reassurance of the hope that lies ahead for other believers and me. This also puts me on notice that my unsaved loved ones and friends are destined for a place quite contrary to the joys I long for in Heaven. Please, Lord, melt the hearts of those I love and others who need You today. Draw them to Yourself and convict them of their sinful state, so that they might surrender to You in faith. I believe, oh Lord, please help those who don’t, for the end of life here on earth is drawing near, according to Your Word. AMEN

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 Bible teaching 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!

How God Shows His Love For Us

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Tuesday, July 9, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Blue Tree Resort, Orlando, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Living Bible (TLB) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 12:5-8

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: ….“My son, don’t be angry when the Lord punishes you. Don’t be discouraged when he has to show you where you are wrong. For when he punishes you, it proves that he loves you. When he whips you, it proves you are really his child.” Let God train you, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. Whoever heard of a son who was never corrected? If God doesn’t punish you when you need it, as other fathers punish their sons, then it means that you aren’t really God’s son at all—that you don’t really belong in his family.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Isn’t it interesting how we have become accustomed to receiving a gift, or something good, as a form of recognition for something pleasing that we may have done? We even practice this with our pets! But what if you never disciplined your child, or your pet? Wouldn’t they feel that they lived in a carefree world where it didn’t matter what they did? But, know that at some point when our kids come to their senses, they may look back and question if we just didn’t care, or love them enough to help them be their best, or do what is right in the sight of everyone they encounter in life. In our Scripture today, the writer is reminding his readers/hearers of something that God said to all of us regarding His discipline, and how that proves His undying love for us. He cares for us, and He wants us to imitate Him and obey His teachings completely. In order to do that we must be corrected when we are otherwise misdirected by the Evil One and his contemporaries. I believe that too often we think of discipline as a whipping we may have received from an angry parent. But isn’t it a whole lot more? When we are being misdirected, God finds ways to discipline, or redirect us to a path that leads to Him. The world may tend to looks at this as discipline, or punishment, or a tap on our knuckles. I believe God says at this point, ‘because I love you so much I will remind you of the right thing to do and show you a path for getting there’. Friends, we must always remember that our ways are not God’s ways, and our thoughts are not like God’s thoughts, so His way of prodding us along in the right direction will differ to our way of doing things. Let’s be thankful that it is this way. God knows what He’s doing, so let’s be a thankful people, the recipients of His wondrous and amazing love.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord, we’ve seen how others have tried to correct us and/or our children, and we’ve not been pleased. But praise to our loving God who, through Your servants and Biblical writers, have told us the loving manner in which You discipline and correct us! Living in this old hard and unloving world causes us to appreciate, admire and long for the loving discipline of our awesome God. Thank You Father, Son and Holy Spirit for directing Your love towards us, so undeserving, yet we are such needy children who long to be with You in glory one day soon. As Your children, we know of Your love and appreciate Your heart-felt discipline. Please help us to encourage our family and friends to seek You while You may be found and accept You as Lord of their lives, before it’s a day too late. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby 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!

On Becoming Wise and Loving Enough To Discipline

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, Wisdom, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Saturday, August 26, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN Proverbs 13:20; 24;

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: The book of Proverbs is filled with wisdom to help guide God’s people along and make wise decisions in the things they practice or do every day. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t prefer to walk and talk in a way that not only pleases God, but that may help others. So, the wisdom of Solomon is shared with us to help us do just that. It is often said that having children comes with no handbook on how to properly raise them. I believe that today’s Scripture gives wisdom and direction in this matter. Meditate with me on the Word of God!

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: I recall the wisdom of my mom when I was being raised, and I just couldn’t understand why she made some decisions that seemed to ‘punish’ me and keep me apart from my peers. However, now that I’m reading the Bible for myself and seeking God’s direction and wisdom to lead me in His intended way for life, it makes all the sense in the world what my mom and dad did in raising me. There were times that I heard things like ‘I just don’t want you hanging around with that crowd’; and ‘I want you to do your best in life’, etc. I now wonder if it wasn’t the Word of God she was practicing and quoting to me. For I see where Solomon gave the same advice in verse 20 today. To those who are not versed in the Scriptures, you may have various opinions about the wisdom shared by Solomon. After all, following in the steps of those who pay no attention to the direction of the God who created us and the creation that we enjoy, could only mean that we are resolute in allowing the evil one to direct us in his wicked and sinful ways. Friends, our direction in life should be one that, deep inside, causes us to do better than the wisest person that we know. OR if we allow Satan to have his way, it will cause us to do worse than the most evil person we know. In the former statement, we aim to please God by being the best He has to offer to this world. In the latter statement, we settle for promoting Satan’s message of evil and destruction of all that God has created or aims to promote. As long as we have breath, God can help us turn from evil to good; sin to glory; Satan to Eternal Life with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Please allow me to encourage you to examine your life and decide today whom you will follow. If you conclude that it’s Jesus you want to follow, then call on Him in sincerity and accept the sacrifice that He made for you on Calvary. Believe on the name of Jesus and you will be saved. Seek His forgiveness of your sin and ask for His power to follow the wisdom of His Word and those who He are saved already here on earth.
For those who have struggled through the circumstances such as described above, and you have not sought help to turn that around, you may also struggle with raising a child to follow in the wisdom of Almighty God. For those who have accepted Jesus and then become blessed with the opportunity to raise a child. Please remember that God shared through Solomon how we must all raise our children in the love and admonition of the Lord. A good place to begin this process is to stay firm in sharing your beliefs and remain committed to direct that child in the way of the Lord. That ‘directing’ works exactly like a ‘rod of correction’. Each will help to steer a child in the way they should go. A child is similar to a ship, each will wonder along being steered by the wind. In the case of the ship – actual wind as we know it, might blow from the port side of the ship and will steer the ship too far right, if not corrected by the rudder controlled by the ship’s captain. In the case of a child, the circumstance of life will steer that child unless corrected and kept on course by a parent who has God’s leadership and wisdom to overcome and/or avoid evil. Notice how I included the words ‘God’s leadership’. An unbeliever following the ways of Satan cannot direct a child in the ways of God. You can share what you have, not what you’ve heard about and don’t practice yourself.

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: God loves us enough to tell us, shows us, and help us do what is right in His sight, and to share that with others who need a ‘rudder’ or good godly wisdom to overcome evil.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Dear Lord Jesus, what a reminder! From the time we are born here on earth, until the time we are called out of this world, there are steering currents that impact our lives. Some contribute to our godly delinquency, and others steer us aright to obedience and correctness in the ways of God. As long as we are steeped in the ways of the world, with Satan as its leader, we will have little chance of correcting our ways and changing our allegiance. Praise God, You taught us in Your Word that all things are possible with God, and You have shown us examples of ways that you have turned hardened sinners into faithful and true saints of God. While some of us may have lots of education, some may have had very little. But I believe that since You made us in Your image, You have given us the ‘smarts’ to listen and obey You and to follow the direction You have laid out for our lives. Please Lord, besides giving me strength and direction each day, please also touch the lives of those who will read or listen to this devotional. May each one choose life – eternal life with You in glory. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby 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!

Promises vs Threats – Both From God

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

DATE POSTED Monday, 2022-05-16
WRITTEN AT: Jupiter, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Joshua 23:14-16
TRANSLATION: Good News Translation (GNT)

BIBLE TEXT: 14 “…… Every one of you knows in his heart and soul that the Lord your God has given you all the good things that he promised. Every promise he made has been kept; not one has failed. 15 But just as he kept every promise that he made to you, so he will carry out every threat. 16 If you do not keep the covenant which the Lord your God commanded you to keep and if you serve and worship other gods, then in his anger he will punish you, and soon none of you will be left in this good land that he has given you.”

APPLICATION: Those who tend to be rebellious really struggle in this life, because there are laws and rules in every aspect of life. Many are challenged by God’s Word because they are opposed to the laws, commands and rules set by God. But aren’t we always ready to celebrate and worship the Lord when we are blessed by the mercies of God and His undeserving, amazing goodness towards us? So if it was left up to us, what would you do for those who go their own stubborn way? Would you give them more rope to hang themselves, or would you strive in your efforts to correct them and try to turn them towards the teachings of the Master? I believe that we all know what should be done, even though in today’s world we tend to think of ‘doing it our way’, as that old song is titled! For a moment, think about the huge investment of time and self sacrifice that Joshua had with the Israelites. Think about His commitment to the Almighty God? I believe that when he spoke to the tribes in our Scripture today, he spoke from the heart of a father. Yes, he had a sincere commitment to God and he wanted to make sure that everything was done according to God’s perfect plan, but because he had invested so much of his life into a much brighter future for His fellow Israelites, everything he did or said came from a heart just like the heart of God. Wouldn’t it be awesome to reflect on a sermon, teaching, or advice from your pastor and just stand in awe at what he shared from God that’s all for your very best interest, even though some of it really ‘stepped on your toes’? My friends, let’s be reminded that when discipline is necessary, or when God has correction in store for us, it will be uncomfortable because it’s aim is to get us on the right track to do the things that are pleasing to God. Only one is perfect, Jesus our Lord. So when the Word of God is preached or taught, it will probably work at the rough edges in our lives – those scars caused by disobedience and/or our kicking against the principles of God. Because Joshua loved his people so much, he didn’t want to see them have to face the correction/discipline of God, so he warned them right at the very beginning of their new life in their new land. Our pastors are much the same way. As messengers of God, and with deep love for their parishioners, they stand in front of us each week and warn us about the consequences of disobedience to the Word and will of God. Some refuse to attend church for this very reason, for they would prefer a ‘pat on the back’ and only hear about the blessings of God. However, I believe that we all must remember one thing about God’s Word, it is designed to steer us in the direction that God has chosen for us. To redirect us at times, God may need to create a bump in our road to steer us to the right, or to the left. Without that, we will continue straight – along the wrong path. So let me encourage you to not just be thankful for the wise words of Joshua, but also for the Word of God as you read it, and for pastor and teachers as they merely help us to understand what God is saying to us. God has promised us a lot – right down to a heavenly home where we will spend eternity. However, He has threatened to discipline us when we allow our stubborn actions to overrule His perfect will for us. I want to enjoy the many promises of God in every aspect of my life! I pray that every reader/listener is very much aligned with my desire – God being our helper!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Every promise God has made, has been kept!

PRAYER: Gracious Lord, for the blessings and the good times we enjoy, we say thank You. For correction and discipline, we also say thank You, because You love us way too much to see us floundering along the wrong path, or doing those things that You disapprove of. Thank You for all You did for the Israelites, and we celebrate with them the rich mercies and gifts that You bestowed on them. Thank You for the challenging times mentioned by Joshua and about the disciplines You may found necessary to impose on our ancestors to get them back on track. We are well aware of our weaknesses and the many temptations that come to distract us from our persistent walk with You. Thank God that out of sincere love, You have decided to even use discipline to keep us straight as we walk towards You in a sinful and destructive world. May we always be gracious in accepting our discipline, and always loving and respectful of the God who loves us. 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!

God’s Discipline

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accountability, Actions, Believers, Born Again, Church attendance, Clean Heart, Cleanse me Oh God, Discipline, RighteousnessLeave a comment

Thursday, 2018-11-29

Bible Reference: Revelation 3:19
Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

Bible Text: 19 I continually discipline and punish everyone I love; so I must punish you unless you turn from your indifference and become enthusiastic about the things of God.

OBSERVATION: I am reminded that discipline comes in many forms, and from almost every person in authority over us. Jesus (the Amen, as referenced in several translations) saw the need to say this to the church at Ladocia because they ‘sat on the fence’ – they were not hot, or cold. For they said they were servants of God, but they didn’t allow Him to be God in their own lives. Could God be bringing this to our attention today so that we may closely examine our own lives, and that of our own churches? 

APPLICATION: From a very early age, good parents will discipline their children, as a way of stopping wrong doing, and guiding children towards the right way to act and do things. As children mature, they go to school and teachers are forced to instill discipline in their lives also. As young adults, they then find the need to test the systems outside of the home and school systems. So law enforcement and the courts come into play. Then they enter the work environment, where supervisors or managers take responsibility for guiding them as adults, and holding them accountable for their actions. Imagine what a parent will do if the young man who just landed a job, went home one evening and ignored everything his parents asked him to do around the home? In fact, all that he learned in growing up seemed to have drained out of the young man, for he is also ignoring his manners, respect and chores that were assigned to him. So the parents are looking at their son from birth, yet his attitude has changed into something they just can’t identify with. They want to love him, because of his ‘sonship’, yet they don’t want to reward unappreciated, rotten  behavior with their precious love. In our Scripture, Jesus is looking at a church that He gave up His very life for, yet He is disappointed at their disregard for His teachings; their refusal to participate in a number of church meetings that were designed to grow Christians; their withdrawing from certain activities that particular families are a part of, because they just don’t like them. Imagine the lack of appreciation Jesus must feel, knowing that He loved the church so much that He freely gave up His life for their good, and for their victory in overcoming the world’s weaknesses, and living with the promise of eternal life in heaven with Jesus and His Father? Do you suppose that He would be tempted to spew them out of His mouth, and possibly start over with a new group that may show signs of hope? What kind of discipline do you feel might be most appropriate for a church such as I described? Do you feel that you would be one who is caught up in the worldly actions described, or one of the few that may be praying for God to help them clean up their mess and live righteously before a holy God? Friends, I would encourage you to look inward before criticizing the church at Laodicea, or trying to pin the actions I raised on certain individuals. Does Jesus see an individual with a clean and contrite heart, filled with His righteousness, and appreciative for all that Jesus did for the church, when He looks intently into your heart? Precious Lord, may it be so for myself, and for many who will read this devotional. Please teach us to alway seek the truths of Your Word, and to humbly obey Your teachings.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for giving wholeheartedly of Yourself so that we might be saved from the attractions of this world. Thank You for helping us to look with joy at the realization of heaven and the wonder of the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, welcoming us home as a ‘son’ or a ‘daughter’! Our hearts are overwhelmed with joy over the promise and expectation of this, as we patiently await Your return to take us home with You precious Lord. Please ‘jerk our chain’ as we lose sight of whose we are, so that we would never be tempted to stray away from the commands of our General – our Lord and Savior. Thank You Lord for loving us enough to bring us through this challenging world with our eyes fixed on You. Please help us to maintain ‘tunnel vision’, so that the things of this world will grow strangely dim, in the light of Your glory and grace! AMEN!

Proof of Sonship

On By Ed AlgreenIn Correction, Discipline, God's Glory, God's Guidance, God's Will, Know God's Heart, Spiritual CorrectionLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Hebrews 12:5-8 (TPT)

TEXT: 5 …. “My child, don’t underestimate the value of the discipline and training of the Lord God, or get depressed when he has to correct you. 6 For the Lord’s training of your life is the evidence of his faithful love. And when he draws you to himself, it proves you are his delightful child.” 7 Fully embrace God’s correction as part of your training, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. For who has ever heard of a child who never had to be corrected? 8 We all should welcome God’s discipline as the validation of authentic sonship. For if we have never once endured his correction it only proves we are strangers and not sons.

OBSERVATION:   In our Scripture today we are reminded of one of the finest aspects of sonship with our heavenly Father. Unfortunately, it is an aspect that most Christians would probably prefer didn’t exist, because no one likes to be ‘disciplined’. However, it is vitally important that we especially meditate on this while considering verse 8 – that an earthly father will discipline his children, and if he doesn’t, it’s probably because we are not his child. The same applies to our Heavenly Father, so let’s consider what evidence of sonship might become evident to us today.

APPLICATION:   Anytime that we think of our parents, we probably think about the love that they have for us. Anytime we think of the reason one accepts Jesus as Lord, we probably think about the great love that Jesus has for us, and them. However, part of the reason we remember the love of our parents, is because we may recall the times of discipline given, because of their deep love for us and how they wanted the very best for us. However, seldom do we promote the idea of God also disciplining us. But think about it friends, if there is not a point of discipline by God, and He allowed us to do whatever our earthly desires are, would that truly indicate a God who loves us and wants His very best for us? Absolutely not. So I would recommend that we look at God’s discipline just like a business person who looks at complaints coming into their business as a ‘gift’. Without the complaint, a customer will try another business establishment to see if they could get it right. Through the complaint, the customer is saying to a business, here’s what you are not doing well at, correct it for success because I want to continue doing business with you. God’s discipline is showing us that He cares enough about us that He wants His very best for us But to accomplish that we may need an attitude adjustment, or we may need to look at others with respect and not look down on them because their gifts are different to ours. I believe that you will find where it is challenging to accept discipline, and often you could see no good reason for it. May I remind you that God is the only One who knows about tomorrow, and the needs and opportunities that will exist when that time comes? Trusting God means that you understand that previous statement and that to be aligned with God’s perfect will for your life, you are at His disposal and direction for everything that He has planned for your good, and His glory. Are you there yet? I believe this requires daily communication with God, asking for strength to endure and be obedient to whatever He desires of you that day. We are far from perfect, but with a perfect God as our Master and our Guide, He will lead us into opportunities that we would never dream of, or think possible. Let go of selfish desires and ask God to direct your path, my friend. He may have a soul to save, a saint to heal, a discouraged warrior to cheer up or much more than we could imagine, and He may have you or I taking part, as His physical hands or feet on the ground! Oh to be His ambassador, and to be a part of God’s miraculous plan for us!

PRAYER:   Father, we all love the idea of being Your precious Son or Daughter, but there is a total negative connotation when we think of You having to discipline us into full obedience to Your will. Lord, may Your Word speak to the hearts of many who will read this devotional today, and may we all be reminded of the love that is transmitted through Your discipline. For we may look at discipline as changing or stopping a behavior that we love, but I truly believe that You intend it for our good and for the benefit of Your kingdom. Oh that we may be used of You in some way today, and I know that it will take Your ‘discipline’ for many of us to redirect from the plans we have in place already for this day. Our desire is for You to be glorified oh Lord, and that You might use even us to bring glory to Your name. 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 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 Nuggets From God’s Word 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 Sebring, 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!

God Wants Us To Be Holy

On By Ed AlgreenIn Discipline, Disciplined, Forgiveness, Holiness, Holy, Leadership of the Holy Spirit, Love, Unconditional loveLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Wednesday, 2017-03-08
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Hebrews 12:8-11 (CEV)

Text:

 8 God corrects all of his children, and if he doesn’t correct you, then you don’t really belong to him. 9 Our earthly fathers correct us, and we still respect them. Isn’t it even better to be given true life by letting our spiritual Father correct us?

10 Our human fathers correct us for a short time, and they do it as they think best. But God corrects us for our own good, because he wants us to be holy, as he is. 11 It is never fun to be corrected. In fact, at the time it is always painful. But if we learn to obey by being corrected, we will do right and live at peace.
OBSERVATION:
Our Scripture today confirms the love of God for His children, and confirms that it’s because of that deep love for us that God disciplines us. However, when we understand the purpose for that discipline then we appreciate the discipline.
APPLICATION:
Some may struggle with the idea of God disciplining His children because we have always been taught that He loves us enough to die for us. In parenting, or adult life overall, I believe we all can agree that where there is no discipline, there is good indication of a disconnect between the adult and the child. Either the child doesn’t belong to the adult on the scene and therefore a lack of duty, or love, or responsibility to correct the child, or a lack of love and concern for the upbringing of that child. I want you to stop and think about yourself as a parent, or if you’re not a parent then think about your parents, and consider all the reasons why a child is probably loved by their earthly parents. Next, I want you to think of the God who created us, then recognized that we are selfish and would never follow rules, commands and rituals in order to right ourselves with Him because of our sins. So in order to help us out, God sent His one and only Son to die a cruel death through crucifixion to prove His love for us. Now, for a God like that, don’t you know that He would very much desire that we be steered into oneness with Himself? Steering us is the same as disciplining us. When we are reminded of wrong things through reading God’s Word, or hearing a message from God via our pastor or Godly teacher, we are being steered away from that wrong. Likewise when we can honestly say ‘amen’ to a sermon or Bible reading, it probably means that we agree, and that we are honestly following that command of God. Now here are the words that I really loved from our Scripture today, because God said that the reason He steers us, or disciplines us, is not just because He loves us, but because “He wants us to be holy, as He is”! I don’t know about you friend, but that sends chills up and down my spine, to think that the God of this universe loves me enough that He will do whatever it takes to get us in line with His commands so that we may be holy, just as He is! Wow!
PRAYER:
It is so hard for us to believe that we could ever be considered ‘Holy’, much less to be consider ‘holy’ as God Himself. Yet God said it, so I believe it. Thank You for never giving up on us Jesus! Thank You for loving us so much – more than we could ever comprehend. Please forgive us for being so stubborn, disobedient, and straying so often from the path You have set for us. Lord I can only imagine that this is a daily chore for You to deal with, so I beg You to touch Your children once again today. We want to be like You, and we want to be ‘holy’ in Your eyes. Please steer us aright again today as we face the trials and temptations of this day. Thank You heavenly Father for loving us so deeply and unconditionally! 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 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 Nuggets From God’s Word 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!