Tag: Eternal Life

Finding Peace: Understanding God’s Timing in Life

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

DATE POSTED
Tuesday, January 14, 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
Quoted from the Good News Translation (GNT) and found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2; 11-14;

THE SCRIPTURE READS
1 Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. 2 He sets the time for birth and the time for death,….
11 He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does. 12 So I realized that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive. 13 All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God’s gift. 14 I know that everything God does will last forever. You can’t add anything to it or take anything away from it. And one thing God does is to make us stand in awe of him.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I’ve heard this Scripture read over and over at funerals, but today I feel like God really spoke to me in a very personal way about this. From the moment that one is born, there is one thing we know for certain – they will eventually die, if God doesn’t send Jesus back for us before that time. However, we all gamble every day with the decisions we make and the opportunities we miss, knowing full well that we may never live to see that day concluded here on earth. I love the way that the GNT states these verses, for the same God who blessed our parents with the miracle of our birth, also has a planned time for our departure. This is not meant to be a morbid message, for it is a fact that we all know, and a part of life that will happen to us all. Casinos thrive from people who place a dollar in one of their machines, hoping to see many dollars returned to them at the end of their gamble. Would it be safe to say that Satan thrives from mankind facing a day knowing that it could be their last opportunity to invite Jesus into their heart, but he (Satan) wins when death becomes a reality to the undecided in the course of their life that day? I am a fairly big note-taker, especially in my Bible studies and during the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. I found the following notes that I had taken on this subject, and because I realize that some might complain that they don’t know what it means to be ready for death, I thought to share it with you, my readership: Here’s how to be ready for that day:

  1. Set your mind on things above – Col 3:1 – we tend to think a lot on things that do not matter. Job – they will find someone else! Money – it’s of no use for eternity.
  2. Meditate on those who have gone on ahead of us. – Hebrews 4:8 – imitate their faith.
  3. Pray for yourself – 2 Peter 4:10 – salvation. You must be born again. You will then live like you’ve been born again. Pray without ceasing.
  4. Be Diligent In: Bible Study; Church attendance; sharing the Gospel;
  5. Let your light shine before men. Live like you’re a child of the King and like you’ve been with Jesus today.
  6. Know that final day is coming for all of us. Be ready, for it will come without notice. Suddenly.

Think about it friends. If you awoke today knowing that there’s a good chance a storm will hit your area today, most of you will be motivated to do most of the things mentioned above to help protect, and ready yourself for the impending danger. Throughout the Bible, and especially here in our Scripture verses today, we are told that death is coming to us all and today could very well be your turn. Are you ready to meet Jesus, knowing that your eternity is secured in having accepted Him as Lord of your life, and also knowing that any negative response to this will result in eternity in Hell with Satan and his demons? It’s totally your decision my friend.

PRAYER
Thank You Jesus for provoking us to make vital decisions each day – do we stay in bed, or do we get up; do we get dressed and become active today, or just lounge around lazily; is there anything we need to do to face any and all things that might come our way today? On the latter, we easily prepare for the earthly things that may or may not occur. But today – at this very moment, we know without a shadow of doubt that today could very well be the day that we face eternity. Thank You for allowing us to make our informed choices. I appreciate You giving us Your Word to help us know and understand what today will bring whether we live, or whether we die. My choice is to spend eternity with the One in whom I have entrusted my life and given my service to, and I thank You for that assurance precious Lord. Please provoke the thoughts and minds of my readers to make informed decisions today, for their eternal destiny. Teach me Lord to show Your love and mercy through every aspect of my life and help me to share Your Word so that others may know and believe in You. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. I would also suggest that you speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com and share your good news! Perhaps one of God’s servants will 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. 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 being a part of that, while also growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Faith Today: The Promise of Eternal Life Through Jesus

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Allegiance to the Lamb, Ask and Receive, Believe, Believers, Biblical Decisions, Blood of Jesus, Born Again, Christ's Representative, Christian, Christianity, Cleanse me Oh God, Commitment, Convinced of the gospel, Decisions, Know and Believe, Know Jesus, Surrender, The love of God, The Plan, The WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Friday, November 22, 2024, 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 devotionals that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Quoted from the Living Bible (TLB) and found in John 1:1-4; 11-13

THE SCRIPTURE READS
 1-2 Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God. 3 He created everything there is—nothing exists that he didn’t make. 4 Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind. 
11-12 Even in his own land and among his own people, the Jews, he was not accepted. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust him to save them. 13 All those who believe this are reborn! – not a physical rebirth resulting from human passion or plan – but from the will of God.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
Just as John saw fit to declare the name, power and authority of the Christ in whom he believed, and who inspired him to write the Gospel of John, I believe it is important for us to understand this when we look at the instruction from this book, the Bible. Interpreters have labored over translating the Bible as accurately as they possibly could, but some words – like ‘Logos’ in the original language, actually translates to God; Christ; or the Word. Therefore, many Bibles show ‘the Word’ in their translation of John chapter one. The version I quoted here is not incorrect, the writers just used a word that we relate to more, to help us understand the intent.
BUT, after establishing the person of Christ and His relationship to God, John impressed even more upon me as I got down to verse 11, and I hope that God will also impress upon you, the importance of these words. John wanted God’s chosen people, the Jews, to know that he was aware of the ones who rejected Jesus as the Christ – the Son of God, but more importantly, John wanted them to know that for those who heard the voice of God and accepted Jesus as Lord, they were awarded the right to become children of God. And we all long for a sense of belonging to someone. For the casual reader, no doubt you are excited that the Jews read John’s words, listened to, and obeyed his invitation, and they could now rest easy knowing their eternity is secure in the fact that they will be with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit forever. However, to my readers today I must share that God also wanted this chapter included in His Word to us today, so that we could know that His Word is still the same powerful force today; His love is even more expansive that we may have first thought, because this Good News also applies to us today. The promises of God are just as true today for us as it was for the Jews: ‘to all who receive him, he gives the right to become children of God‘. To those who really read into this, you owe it to yourself to ask ‘but what about those who don’t receive Jesus?’ It is a good reminder for us that there are only two places available to us after life here on this earth: Eternity in Heaven for those who have invited and received Jesus into their life and given Him authority to be Lord of their life, OR Eternity in Hell where Satan will torment you way worse than anything you have experienced while here on earth. Friends, God created us in His own image, and He wants us to stay especially close to Him as our Creator and Father, why would we allow Satan to tempt us into thinking anything else? Please allow the Lord to open your heart, mind and soul today and impress upon you any adjustments necessary for your impending eternity.

PRAYER
Dearest Lord Jesus, You are indeed my Creator; my King; my Savior; My Lord and my eternal Father. I thank You Lord for that assurance and I am renewed in my resolve after reading the words You impressed upon John the apostle. I earnestly pray that You will impress upon the hearts of my readers the importance of not only hearing about You, but in accepting You as Lord of their lives. This life, as we know it today, will conclude here on earth, but it is clear that our souls will go on to a place made possible by the choices we make here on earth. I long to be with You in Heaven one day soon, and I would love to convince my audience to prepare for that day also. Please impress upon them the importance of making that decision, and doing something about it TODAY. In just my small circle of family and friends, several have been called out unexpectedly recently, and possibly without knowing You personally. To all those reading this devotional, please be reminded that you can make the decision today to right your final destination, for tomorrow may be too late. Have Your will and way in our lives today, Lord, and may You be glorified by the decisions we make and the stances we take to be honest and true representatives of Yours everywhere we find ourselves today. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. I would also suggest that you speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com and share your good news! Perhaps one of God’s servants will 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. 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 being a part of that, while also growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Everyone Eligible For Life Eternal

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

DATE POSTED: Thursday, 2023-04-13
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Timothy 1:15-16
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

OBSERVATION: Credit Card companies will advertise using words similar to my title today, for they want everyone to apply for their credit card, and they know that some will feel like they couldn’t possibly qualify. When invited to know Jesus, most individuals will respond that they are so unworthy of acceptance by the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. But God knew this would be the case, so He arranged an example in and through the life of Paul to help us understand that His grace is sufficient and reaches to every child created by Almighty God. Stay tuned to be reminded of how important you are to God!

APPLICATION: Although not referenced in today’s Scripture, Paul’s former name was Saul. When Paul makes reference to him being one of the worst sinners, he was referring to the days of Saul, when he was known as a persecutor of the church and of Christians as a whole. Today we sometimes hear of a church being burned down, or burglarized, or riddled with gunshots, but I don’t know of any crimes that could be compared to the evil done by Saul. However, God met up with Saul, convicted him of his sin, saved him, changed his name to Paul, and sent him on to do the work of the Lord instead. So, when you drum up excuses of why you can’t attend church, or why a Christian shouldn’t waste their time worry about why they couldn’t lead you to Christ because of your evil deeds, please try to remember the story of the former Saul, and the new Paul who went on to reach the unchurched and place churches where there was no presence of godly teaching. If God could deal with such a terror as Saul, could He not also challenge you on your sin? If God could start life anew in Paul, and put aside all the bad he had done, could He not turn your life around. Please try to remember from all Bible accounts that speak of God changing a man. Never does it say that God went after the worst sinners, or the one with just a little sin. A person who sins, disobeys God. There is no such thing as a minor sin or a major sin. God sent His Son, Jesus, to save mankind from their sin – period. ‘Minor’ sins may not even get the attention of the authorities today, for governments have come to accept many things that God might consider ‘sin’. But, please don’t forget that ‘sin’ occurs when one disobeys the laws of God. Authors in the Bible went to a great extent to help us understand what God established as His law for mankind. Satan first tempted Eve about how insignificant he felt the laws of God was, and of course Satan has intensified his pressure on mankind today with this misguidance to make sure that God won’t win us over. Dear friends, I am a firm believer that ‘greater is He (God) that is inside of the child of God, than he (Satan) that is in the world. You have a fairly straightforward decision to make. Are you prepared to accept Jesus, the Creator of the universe; the One sacrificed on Calvary’s hill for the redemption of our sin; the One who sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us; the One waiting to receive us into His eternal kingdom (heaven) for all eternity? Unless you make a decision, you are doomed for eternity in the fires of hell with its leader, Satan. I feel like the decisions is obvious, but Satan may be pounding it into your head like he did with Saul, that his way is the only reasonable and fun way. Friend of God, Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and lean not on your own understanding. Today is the day of salvation. Seek the Lord while He may be found!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: It is very possible that others will see Jesus evident in us and desire to accept Him as Lord of their life also! It will be worth it all!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please open our eyes to the truth of Your Word. Paul identified reasons why You saved him, and he glorified You for using him in spite of his past. Please develop with us a sense of why You saved us, and the purpose for which You’ve still allowed us to stick around. Each man faces a decision of where they will spend eternity. Thank You Lord for opening my blinded, sinful eyes and allowing me to see the love of Jesus. Please open the eyes of our relatives, friends and all who have yet to make a decision regarding their eternal destiny. As they are reminded of the change You made in the life of Saul, may they also be reminded that You can do the same for them, if only they will allow You to bless them and save them from eternity in Hell. 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!

Our Comfort, Our Hope, Our Encouragement!

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

DATE POSTED: Tuesday, 2023-02-28
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: 13 Brothers and sisters, we want you to be fully informed about those who have fallen asleep in death so that you will not be overwhelmed with grief like those who live outside of the true hope. 14 Here’s what we believe: since Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, God will bring with Jesus all who have died through Him. 15 For we can say all this to you confidently because it is the word of the Lord: we who are still alive and left behind when the Lord comes will not precede those who have fallen asleep in death. 16 On that day, with a command that thunders into the world, with a voice of a chief heavenly messenger, and with a blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord Himself will descend from heaven; and all those who died in the Anointed One, our Liberating King, will rise from the dead first. 17 Then we who are alive and left behind will be snatched up together with them into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. This is how we, the resurrected and the living, will be with Him forever. 18 So comfort one another with this hope, and encourage one another with these words.

OBSERVATION: When others are hurting, we may tend to stay clear of them, because we are afraid that we won’t have the words to encourage them. However, God’s Word is not just for correction and direction, but we will find in today’s Scripture that it also offers us words to be encouraged by, or to help those who have lost loved ones who knew Jesus as Lord.

APPLICATION: My wife had completed a medical procedure that caused her to use a wheelchair while shopping. We found it interesting how some friends who saw her in the wheelchair chose to walk down a different isle or try in some way to avoid having to encounter my wife or ask her about her temporary disability! We believe they were at a loss for words. Visitations and/or funerals are no different, for we become dumbfounded for the right words to encourage the grieving relatives left behind. Unfortunately, this is very challenging if the loved one died without ever accepting the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary for the forgiveness of their sin. For the Bible is clear on their eternal destiny, where they chose to remain unsaved and, instead lived, and died, in a way that only Satan would approve of. Friends, I believe if we face family or friends who are suffering through such a loss, we might become even more determined than ever to urgently share the love of Jesus with those we know and love. As believers in Jesus Christ, it is imperative that we follow the practice and teaching of our Master. One of those principles is that we do not lie. So, while we must be sympathetic toward the family the loved one, we should never confuse them into thinking that their lost loved one is now in heaven. Of course, that’s what they want to hear, but we know, based on the Word of God, that if God honored their request to have nothing to do with them on earth, He will be sure to keep that commitment in death also. Instead, we might therefore take the opportunity of sharing the encouraging news that Paul highlights in today’s Scripture, with hopes of helping the living relatives make a better choice for their eternal destiny. It is always sad to lose one that we care about – yes, even one whose destiny is secure, and their eternal destiny is one of peace and comfort. safe in the arms of Jesus. Praise God, Paul shared a message of hope for the surviving family of one who has passed on from this world. For those of us who know Jesus as Lord and Savior, let’s be comforted in the hope, and encourage those who care about us, that greater is one day in His courts than a million elsewhere! Let’s plead with them to also leave us with the same assurance about themselves.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Let us comfort one another with the hope that our eternity is secured, and our destiny is set to be in heaven with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit when our time on earth is finished! What a peace is afforded to us, and our loved ones in knowing this fact.

PRAYER: What an awesome God we serve! You not only sent Your Son to satisfy the sin of those who seek You as Lord of their life, but You also showed us through Your servant Paul, that our friends and relatives can now rejoice in knowing our eternal destination, instead of sorrowing in our loss here on earth. Lord Jesus, this not only brings peace to us, and our relatives, but also drives us to wanting our family to also seek Jesus as Lord and experience that same peace. Please Lord, soften the hearts of those who continue to be stubborn and disobedient to Your call on their life. Only You can draw them to Yourself. Please be patient with them and once again today, show them the way to eternal life. We are forever grateful for what You did for us, now please give us peace about those who are still here on earth and have the opportunity to open their hearts to You, and we thank You in advance for what You could do! 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!

Your Choice – Life or Death?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Choice, Death, Eternal Life, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Monday, 2022-11-21
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Philippians 1:21-24
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: 21 For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity]. 22 If, however, it is to be life here and I am to go on living, this will mean useful and productive service for me; so I do not know which to choose [if I am given that choice]. 23 But I am hard-pressed between the two. I have the desire to leave [this world] and be with Christ, for that is far, far better; 24 yet to remain in my body is more necessary and essential for your sake.

APPLICATION: Having buried two relatives recently, I have become more keenly aware of life, as we know it today, and death, given the foreknowledge about our eternal destiny. Because of this, and in talking more freely about life, and life after death, I had a close relative tell me to get off the subject of death, for, he thought that I have way too much to look forward to in life! Of course, that advice probably came from a selfish thought about my relative’s future in life without me being present here on earth! Friends, today I want to remind you that even if we ignore life after death, so we could enjoy our life as we know it today, that doesn’t make our future float off into oblivion. Paul met the challenge of leaving a free life of ministry, family and friends, when he was admitted to prison. However, God showed him that ministry for the Kingdom of God exists wherever we find mankind in need of a Savior. I believe this made Paul think even more about other transitions, such as the one from life to eternity after death. The reason I believe it is so vital that my readers and listeners think about this today, is that very much like travelling domestically or internationally, our trip will be disastrous, and our life will be miserable, if we arrive at our destination without having made any plans for it before we left home. In fact, we may have even travelled to the wrong destination! And so it is with our transition, or travel, from planet earth as we know it today. Although the two relatives I mentioned were over 90 – an age that we might ‘expect’ someone to die, let me tell you that I have good friends who have recently also lost teenagers, young adults, and relatives that they least expected. My point is, do not wait to think about your transition from earth until later in life when people tend to die. Your pronouncement could be aligned with your reading of this devotional, you have no control over that. But what you do have control of, is your state of readiness to leave this world at any given moment. I want you to live as a current day traveler would live if they knew they would be traveling soon, their bags would be packed and probably waiting at the front door. Although you may not have given it any thought, let me remind you that for those without Jesus Christ, their bags are already packed, for they have assurance that their eternal destiny is with Satan and his many demons in Hell, for they have said ‘no thanks’ to the invitation from Jesus on more than one occasion. To change that destination, it really is very easy, for Jesus is holding His hand out inviting each reader/listener to accept His love, His compassion, His sacrifice, and the eternal hope He offers to be with He and His Father in Heaven when life here on earth is over. Friends, your ticket to Hell is by default because of your sinful state. Please consider upgrading your ticket to Heaven by accepting the free gift of salvation offered through the awesome sacrifice of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Jesus offered up His life, so that our lives can be acceptable for a transition into the glories of heaven. It’s you move, dear friend. Will it be Heaven, or Hell?

BLESSING(S) NOTED: I can barely think of the overwhelming joy that is ours, whether we remain on earth, or are taken up to glory to live eternally with our ternal Father and His Son Jesus! There is no greater joy!

PRAYER: What joy it is to rejoice together with Paul in glorifying You Lord Jesus, and for the assurance of being with You in glory some day! That makes living here on earth more tolerable, in spite of the many doubts, fears, disappointments, losses and strife of dealing with the sin that is so prevalent here. Lord, thank You for encouraging us through Your servant, Paul. This brings us eternal hope and a satisfying tomorrow. Please teach us to share that joy with those who have made no better plans than to accept their eternal destiny in Hell. We love our family and friends, and we want to see the very best for them. Please help us to be so overjoyed in our relationship with You that they will want nothing less. Use us Lord as Your instrument of love and encouragement while here on earth. 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!

Free From The Power of Sin

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

DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2022-03-30
WRITTEN AT: Astatula, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Romans 6:20-23 
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

APPLICATION: Paul found that believers need reminding of the world from which they came. This might be extremely troubling top some, because it makes them ashamed and they don’t even want to think about it. However, as we ponder our past, it serves to remind the Christian of where our neighbors, family and friends might be at in their lives, and therefore gives us a deeper desire to share the Word of God with them. Friends, in verse 21 we are told that the end for the unbeliever is eternal doom. Is that what we want for those we love? I pray that this lesson today may be a reminder that time is short before the Lord returns to take His church home to glory. We have friends and family who are destined for hell – eternal doom; are we OK with that? Easter is right around the corner and we will once again be reminded of the new life we have in our risen Lord. I pray that this will give reason for us to carefully and sincerely pray for those who are still deeply involved in sin and struggling to see the light and hope that we have in the glory of Easter and our risen Lord. This is a great time to encourage our loved ones to attend church with us, so let’s show them that we care, and pray earnestly for them that God will open their hearts to hear the truths of His Word. In self-preparation, let us examine our hearts and insure that The Light of the risen, living, all powerful God is evident in our lives every day. Perhaps as family and friends see Christ in action through us, they will desire even more to accept Him and allow Him to change their destiny!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Because of the free gift of eternal life, we can shout and sing of the glories of our Lord and King!

PRAYER: Lord, in the same way that we would be seriously upset over a neighbor or some other friend perishing in a fire, please make us just as desperate and upset in knowing that they have not accepted You as their Lord and Savior, for both lead to death. Please help us to always celebrate our risen Lord, and because of Your love for Your children, help us to strive to encourage others to accept and know You personally. Please make us ever mindful of the new life the sinner has in knowing You as personal Lord and Savior. May this inspire us to make every effort to rescue our unbelieving friends and family who are lost in the darkness of sin, and need You as their Risen Savior. Help us to live victorious lives through which You may be glorified! 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!

How To Have It All

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

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2021-06-03
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Mark 10:29-30
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 29 Jesus told him:
You can be sure that anyone who gives up home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or land for me and for the good news 30 will be rewarded. In this world they will be given a hundred times as many houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and pieces of land, though they will also be mistreated. And in the world to come, they will have eternal life. 

APPLICATION: Take a quick look at the rewards in store for the believer in Jesus Christ, and you might wonder what could possibly be concerning to unbelievers when they use the excuse that they would have to give up everything in order to surrender their lives to Jesus! I must share with you the testimony of an old missionary from our church. He shared with the men’s group how, when he was called on mission by Jesus, he started by giving his home and earthly possessions to a local church. He didn’t sell the house, because that was not a part of God’s calling. God told him that if he agreed to go to the mission field, he would take care of him. The gentleman didn’t want the worries of home and property back in the US, and he wanted to take God at His word about caring for him in a foreign land. He stood before us, after retiring from the mission field, and his life was about as rich as one could every expect to be here on earth. He had successfully completed a lot of work overseas, and now the work continues under his wise counsel. He was well cared for, healthy, blessed and living in a home located in a Missionary Camp in our local area. I now wonder if this Scripture was an inspiration to His life’s commitment and story of success? Friends, God is always true to His commitment to us. If He takes us to a situation, He will see us successfully through it. Just look at the blessings in store for those who commit to give up their life, as they know it today, and follow Him into His mission, wherever needed. He has gifts stored up for us here on earth, and He also has a glorious home prepared for us to spend eternity, when we leave this world! Notice that neither of God’s promises are conditional upon the stock market, as those rich on earth are so concerned about. I am convinced that God not only loves us unconditionally today, but praise the Lord He also has a whole new world prepared for us on the other side!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: There is no distinction in God’s Word that specifies which class, color or creed of people His rewards will be awarded to – just children of the Most High God who have chosen to surrender to His call on their life! That includes me – and you, my faithful readers and podcast listeners! Praise to our Almighty God!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for loving even me, and the plans You have for me! Thank You for my readers and listeners of this devotional, together we praise You and look forward to not only enjoying our heavenly home, but just to see you face-to-face and worship at the feet of You and our Mighty God! Please Lord, use us in Your service while here on earth as we prepare for the glorious day when we will transition from earth to heaven! I am convinced that the best is yet to come! 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!

With A Heart For Jesus

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

DATE WRITTEN: Sunday, 2021-04-04
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 25:45-46
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: 45 I tell you this: whenever you saw a brother hungry or cold, when you saw a sister weak and without friends, when you saw the least of these and ignored their suffering, so you ignored Me.
46 So these, the goats, will go off to everlasting punishment. But the beloved, the sheep (the righteous), will go into everlasting life.

OBSERVATION: As you ponder the above Scripture today, perhaps you will be forced to think of the attributes one might possess to be helpful to, and considerate of, those less fortunate than ourselves. Hopefully you will quickly conclude that not everyone that gives money, or donates food, or give in any other material way is doing that because of their love for God. When our hearts are molded by God and led by His Holy Spirit, we do things out of love and compassion. Remember, Jesus knows our ‘heart’!

APPLICATION: Not every man who shows lust after a woman, nor every woman that gives in to a man, are necessarily married. So it is with those who give to the needy. Some do it for public recognition; some for savings on their tax bill; while some will give of material goods out of excess. Are they a child of the King because they do this? God is their judge and He will deal with that one-on-one with them. In the Bible we are told about a woman who gave of her last few pennies. Jesus said that she had given more than the richest man ever gave, because she had a heart filled with the love and compassion of God. Jesus recognized His children, and the manner and heart in which they gave. He called them His beloved and considered them as His sheep. He shared with His disciples that these individuals will go on into everlasting life, for they saw like Him and acted just as He would have. From deep inside their hearts, they saw needs, and they did something about that. Imagine as a father, you saw your kids responding to needs – just as you had hoped that they were watching and learning from your actions in life? Wouldn’t you heart swell with pride and cause you to praise the Father above? Jesus was not afraid to also tell the naked truth about pride, arrogance and selfishness to those who act like they are the reason for their success in life while here on earth. Jesus was probably hurt as He witnessed them ignore the needs, even though they had plenty to share. He could tell that they not only ignored Him and His unconditional love for them, but they had none to share with those in desperate need of their help. Jesus had something to give these folk as well, but it was not a heavenly reward, but instead it was eternal punishment by the evil one. Friends, although I am convinced that our Lord is generous in blessing His children today, let me be quick to say that I believe Jesus still hates sin, the mean hearted, and those who have ignored what He sacrificed on Calvary. In fact, so much so that Jesus said in verse 46 that they will go off the everlasting punishment. Many of us will say after a very difficult day here on earth, that we had a day from Hell, but I don’t believe that we have heard or seen anything yet that compares to what Satan has in store for those who have given him full reign of their lives. I know, you have not committed ‘I do’ to Satan. But my dear friends, the Word of God says that unless you surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, then you have given full authority to Satan, because you are headed for a sinner’s domain – Hell. There is no such thing as Satan’s domain, God’s domain and your domain. You either make a firm commitment to accept and follow Jesus, or you continue on your path to Hell. There’s no better time than this Easter Sunday for you to surrender to our Risen Lord! Do it today precious one, and prepare for His gift of eternal life.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord that we are able to celebrate our Risen Savior today! Thank You for Your Word, and the reminder given to us in the Scripture today. Because I know that You are alive, and especially alive in my heart, I am looking forward to being included among the righteous that will go on into everlasting life in glory, with You and the Father. But Lord, I hurt for so many who have yet to accept You as Lord, including many of my family and friends. Please melt the hearts of my readers today, and make Your gift very visible in their eyes. Lord I am so anxious to be at Your feet in Heaven one day, and I want so bad to have all of my family and friends kneeling next to me as we celebrate our Risen Lord. Use me Lord as an instrument of Your grace to encourage the lost. and those who are discouraged, so that they may seek Your face. Oh that You may be glorified today because of the number of people who will accept Your Gift – Your precious Gift – Jesus. 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!

A Safe Place

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Eternal Life, Gift, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Salvation, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2020-12-16
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Nahum 1:7-8
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT: 7 The Lord is good. He is a safe place to go to in times of trouble. He takes care of those who trust him.
8 But he will completely destroy his enemies.….

OBSERVATION: I believe that few will need reminding that God is our ‘go-to’ in times of trouble, for we tend to feel helpless, and we know that we must refer the matter to One that can handle all matters considered impossible by us. This often forces the Christian and the unbeliever to call on God, for we know that He could do ALL things. But notice how Nahum made a distinction between how God might treat His own, vs those that distance themselves from Him. So I encourage all readers to take note of what you could expect from God, depending on your acceptance of our King.

APPLICATION: Wouldn’t it make sense that for those who refuse the gift of eternal life from God, and choose to try and prove to the world that they could make it without Him, that they would also refuse to call on Him when life seems to be totally out of control? I would think so, but we know that’s not the way that life works. When disaster strikes, Christians are often called on by unbelievers to pray for them, or their loved one, who may be hurt or dying from some rare disease. How exactly might we pray? Our Scripture reminds us that Nahum was addressing the residents of Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, and God revealed to him that there were some who would find it safe to anchor themselves in the shelter and protection of the Almighty, but there were some who would be totally destroyed because of their distant and hateful relationship with Him. Friends, we serve a God who is filled with love – more than we could ever imagine or understand, and while He will listen to the cry for salvation from those who despise Him, there will come a day when He would remove His hand a protection from them and allow death and destruction to take its course, unless they surrender their lives to Him. Do you think for a moment that in today’s society God will react in a different way? He has always hated sin, and I believe that He always will. I don’t know about you, but there are times that I must turn the television off, especially when I see reports of crime, vagrancy, and hatred against each other. Friends, sin abounds and individuals act in such evil ways, that God must wonder how could He possibly have been involved in their birth and upbringing. As you evaluate your life today, you should see where you will fit into one of two categories before God: 1). You’ve been washed by the blood of His precious Son and you are looked upon by God as being ’white as snow’. In fact, He sees Jesus’ perfect sinless life when He looks at you, and you are considered a son, or friend of the most High God; or 2). You have shown little concern about your sinful condition and have therefore rejected the invitation from Jesus Christ on many occasions. Because you have neglected God’s gift – His own precious Son, you have treated Him as your enemy. In verse 8 of today’s Scripture, you will note that God will destroy His enemies. To transition from group (2) over to group (1), you simply need to recognize the unconditional love that God has for His children – for you. Then accept His Son and begin celebrating the assurance of life eternally with the Master for ever! Nahum was merely reminding the Ninevehites of their plight. I feel like I have done just that for all who will read this devotional. May God grant you peace, wisdom and direction as you consider your eternity today, AMEN!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Thank You Lord for making me whole. Thank You Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free! Words from an old song that remains as true today as when I first accepted You as Lord and Savior of my life! Now oh Lord, I come before You on behalf of many family members and friends who have taken You for granted. They’ve decided to make a go at this life, all alone. Please Lord, soften their hearts and help them see very clearly that their segregation for You makes it clear that they are rejecting Your free gift of eternal life. In our Scripture today, and throughout Your Word, You have declared that You will destroy Your enemies. It saddens me that they would reject the most precious gift available to them today and remain enemies of Yours. Lord, instead of Your plan for eternal damnation for Your enemies, may I beg You to speak softly to all who will read this devotional today and remind them once again about Your love, and Your gift. May today be the day of Salvation for many, please oh Lord. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org 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 or listening to this devotional, please go to 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. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. 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!

Will God Identify You as His?

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

DATE WRITTEN: Sunday, 2020-12-13
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Micah 4:5
TRANSLATION: New American Standard Bible (NASB)

BIBLE TEXT: Though all the peoples walk,
Each in the name of his god,
As for us, we will walk
In the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.

OBSERVATION: I love how the prophet Micah declared that Israel would stand firm for the living God, no matter how other countries around them may continue to trust in their own god. As we meditate today, I would like for us to personalize this thought. Will God identify you as a child of the Almighty God because of your daily lives here on earth? Will you declare today that Jesus is Lord and King of your life?

APPLICATION: My wife’s grandmother developed Alzheimers in her latter years. Like most people who realize someone has been impacted by this dreaded disease, we would normally ask multiple times during our visits ‘Do you know who I am?’. I always loved her response: ‘I can’t call your name, but I know you’re one of mine!’. We always chuckled when she responded like that, but I believe she recognized our facial expressions, our mannerisms and our love for her, for she came to recognize some of the traits that she taught her children and grandchildren over the years. Fortunately, God not only created us and placed us here on earth to develop whatever mannerisms we want, and to worship whatever gods or objects that comes natural to man, but He inspired His chosen prophets to write down His teachings, and He even gave some the gift of prophecy to foretell what will come to pass. Unlike parents who often wish that hospitals would give them a book of instructions when they hand them their newborn baby, God did exactly this for us! So as we grow up, we have a choice of either learning and following the instructions given to us by God, or whether we would just assimilate ourselves into our friendship and community groups that often tend to follow what feels best to them, or makes them look like the most elite in society. Based on the Word of God, I believe that God identifies His own by their commitments, their loyalties and their actions. For if we commit to the lordship of Jesus Christ, our loyalties, commitments and choices would look more like what is taught in God’s Word. If we make no changes in our lives, then we will naturally follow the desires of the flesh and try to please our fellow man. Our loyalties might then look more like one who is totally engrossed in our job, with no time for family, friends, God or the church. Or we may become so caught up in worldly fun and games, that we lose sight of the God who placed us here and continues to provide all the basics of life for us every day. Or we develop an attitude that we are untouchable by the world or its problems, and we couldn’t care less about the needs of others. Of course nothing of this is out of sight by God, for He knows our thoughts and our actions. So friends, I wonder what God might look at us and say when we stand before Him? Will congratulations be in order, and the red carpet laid out for the prince or princess to walk through to heaven? After all, as a child of the King of all kings, we would be considered a prince/princess! But for the one who had no need or time for God while here on earth, surely they wouldn’t want a part of Him on Judgment Day, right? Unfortunately there is a second place prepared for those not interested in Heaven, it is a place of eternal damnation and fire, one that is led by Satan and his demons. Sounds way too cruel? But friends, as I indicated in all that I’ve said already, you make this crucial decision while here on earth. Please be reminded that decisions could only be made by you with a sober mind while you are alive. How long will you be alive? God answered that in His Word, when He said that no one knows the day or the hour that the Master will come. This means that you are free to make a decision now, but there are no assurances that you you will be here in five minutes to make decisions then. Now is the accepted time of salvation my friend, and it is available to all that would ask! My prayer is that everyone that may read one of my devotionals will make the right decision about their eternity at the time of reading it, and immediately speak with God. Please contact me if I could be of help to you.

PRAYER: Thank You Heavenly Father for loving me enough to provide the means for my salvation. As the prophet Micah reminded us today, some may worship their respective idols today, and until You question them on Judgment Day, but Lord I promise to serve You faithfully today and every day until You return to take me home. Please touch hearts today who may read this devotional and may not have clarified their position with You yet. Remind them of the importance of making that decision today, before it is eternally too late. May Your Word, and this short devotional, not fall on deaf ears, but on hearts that are willing to establish today where they will spend eternity. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org 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 or listening to this devotional, please go to 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. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. 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!