Eternal Life – Where Do You Stand?

On 2025-10-30 By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, Eternal Life, Eternity, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Thursday, October 30, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Branson, MO 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 John 5:24 in your Bible or click on it to read it online in the The Voice (VOICE).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verse referenced above, as it will help you better grasp the context of this devotional.I believe we can all agree that if there is One who created this world and everything in it, then there must also be a purpose behind that creation. For those of us who trust in the inspired Word of God—the Bible—we believe that God made us in His image so that we could know Him, represent Him, and live in a way that reflects His love. Those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can live with the joy of knowing that when this earthly life ends, we will be welcomed into the presence of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—for all eternity. This is what Scripture calls eternal life, and our focal verse today reminds us and confirms this beautiful truth.

Still, we know that not everyone shares this belief. Some have chosen to follow knowledge and ideas apart from God’s Word, trusting in human reasoning rather than divine truth. But when we do that, we risk living separated from the very One who created us and longs to draw us close to Himself. God’s desire is that no one would be lost but that everyone would come to know Him personally.

More than fifty years ago, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Looking back, I’m more certain now than ever before that:

There is only one true and living God.
God created me in His image so I could know Him and reflect Him here on earth.
God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three in one.
God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, so that all who believe in Him would be forgiven and made new.
As a child of the King, and through the truth of His Word, prayer, and worship, we can walk daily in the assurance that our sins are forgiven and that our God is greater than anything or anyone this world could ever offer.

Friends, each of us must make that decision for ourselves. We can’t rely on anyone else’s faith—not our parents, not our spouse, not even the most faithful friend. No good deeds or generosity can replace a heart that has personally surrendered to Jesus.

So today, I encourage you to pause and ask: Have I accepted Jesus as my Savior? If not, He is waiting with open arms. My prayer is that you will make that choice and experience the peace and joy that comes from knowing Jesus.

One day, I hope to kneel beside you at the feet of Jesus, worshiping together for all eternity. That’s not a selfish wish—it’s the overflow of God’s love in me, a love that wants His very best for you.

The choice is yours, dear friends. Choose Jesus today—and make God’s heart glad.

PRAYER
Lord You are good to me, so, so, good! I thank You for Your goodness and for looking out for my fellow believers and I, especially while dealing with the challenges we face here on earth. In being reminded through this verse today about the eternal benefits of knowing You as Lord, I am excited to share this awesome news with everyone, especially those who have yet to accept this wonderful truth. Please Lord, soften the hearts of all who read this devotional and allow the spirit of God to minister to them. May this be a day of decision for many who are reminded of Your love and Your provision of eternal life in heaven for Your children. 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!

Finding Peace: Understanding God’s Timing in Life

On 2025-01-14 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
¹Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. ²He sets the time for birth and the time for death,….
¹¹He 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. ¹²So I realized that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive. ¹³All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God’s gift. ¹⁴I 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:

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.
Meditate on those who have gone on ahead of us. – Hebrews 4:8 – imitate their faith.
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.
Be Diligent In: Bible Study; Church attendance; sharing the Gospel;
Let your light shine before men. Live like you’re a child of the King and like you’ve been with Jesus today.
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!

Life Before Christ, Now, and thru Eternity

On 2023-10-12 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: Thursday, October 12, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, 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 The Message (MSG) IS FOUND IN Titus 2:12-14

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: When analyzing a crowd, what character strengths seems to help you decide if that person is a Christian or not? Many of you are already proficient in judging multiple individuals as you choose the right employee from a slate of prospects interviewed to fill a vacancy for your business. What helps you decide on who to hire? Paul is guiding Titus into ways to best minister to his flock who would look to him for spiritual guidance. In the earlier verses of this chapter, Paul shared some specific ministry tips for the men that Titus will deal with, and then he also went on to tell Titus how to minister to the women. In these verses, Paul recaps by reminding Titus that this glorious salvation, of which he spoke, is available to everyone – ALL who call on the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, just as John 3:16 tells us. But what is demanded of one who believes? Absolutely nothing else is required. However, to the one who is living a new life belonging to Jesus, Paul teaches that there would be evidence that they have turned away from their previous lifestyle. No longer living a godless life, for they are one with Christ, since they committed to Him that they would instead live a life pleasing to Him. Friends, we just can’t do both. If we try to, then we have not committed ourselves fully to the Lord Jesus Christ and endeavoring to live according to His instructions outlined in the Bible. Remember, we will live the life that we are committed to. Children of God speak and act like children of God. Children without God will live like the world. You can’t live like the world, and say you are a child of the King, for you would be lying. When God fills you with Himself – His Holy Spirit, then you will want to live a life that honors the One who lives inside of you. Paul reminds us that we are living this Christian life in great expectation of the eternal life that follows – with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in heaven. I don’t believe that there is anything on this earth that compares to what we can expect in heaven, but I tend to carefully prepare time away, like vacations, family weddings, special occasions, etc, so I am convinced that I should believe Paul when he tells us that while on earth and being blessed by our Creator, we should liken our blessings to what we can expect for all eternity in our heavenly home! I pray that every reader and/or listener will be nearly as excited as I am about the prospects of heaven, and being in the presence of our Savior and Lord!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord, we are thankful that You created us in Your image; prepared a paradise for us to enjoy; and promised us an eternal home with You in heaven! In Your Word today, you have used Paul to remind us of our future prospects, and long range plans to have us unite with You in glory! We are such a blessed people, and we rejoice at knowing You personally as we wait on that spec al day. Help us to bless others, just as we enjoy Your blessings every day, and direct us each day to pray for others who have not made it a priority to live in relationship with You. Lord, be glorified and lifted up through us, Your servants, every day in every way. 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!

Our Comfort, Our Hope, Our Encouragement!

On 2023-02-282023-02-28 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: ¹³Brothers 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. ¹⁴Here’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. ¹⁵For 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. ¹⁶On 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. ¹⁷Then 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. ¹⁸So 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!

Here’s One Who Can Be Trusted

On 2020-12-172020-12-16 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Trust, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2020-12-17
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Psalm 146:2-6
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT: ²I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praises to him as long as I live. ³Don’t depend on your leaders for help. Don’t depend on people, because they cannot save you. ⁴People die and are buried. Then all their plans to help are gone.
⁵It is a great blessing for people to have the God of Jacob to help them. They depend on the Lord their God. ⁶He made heaven and earth. He made the sea and everything in it.…..

OBSERVATION: I find it interesting that throughout our lives we actually place our trust in many individuals. But the older we grow, the more we tend to lose these great people – death, sickness and disappearance from our lives in various ways. However, God’s Word is extremely powerful and we can look to It for ALL aspects of life. I hope that we could think for a few minutes today about the reason we do, or do not, place our trust in the One that will never let us down.

APPLICATION: As a child we depended heavily on mom and dad, even though most kids would defy that claim! However, one day they died, or we got married and moved out, and we felt lost and without any guidance. For they were faithful to us and loved us unconditionally. In school we learned to respect our teachers, because again, they showed that they cared about the decisions we made and the direction in which we would go looking for success. But suddenly we graduated, and those teachers went on to care for a new set of kids. Then came our job(s), and our boss seemed to have cared, but yet we knew that we were just a tool in his toolbox to help him strive for more profits. But it worked for us, so we either retired or left for various reasons, and suddenly we were on our own again. But for the child of God, you might remember the day you were introduced to Jesus. For those who truly accepted His lordship of their lives, I’m sure you will join me in celebrating much like David did in verse 2, for we have seen the glory of God in our relationship with His Son. We have witnessed His mighty works and we have enjoyed His many blessings. His love for us has been evident in everything we have accomplished, everything we have touched and everything that we plan for our remaining time here on earth. BUT, we can also rejoice in the fact that not only will our Master be there for us while here on earth, but after death also. For then we could look forward to an even greater reward through endless praise and worship at His feet, around the throne of our God! I don’t know about you precious friend, but that’s enough to rejoice over! Fortunately the Scriptures also speak to those of you who have chosen to exclude Jesus from your life, for the Scriptures also apply to you, when it says that Satan has a place also prepared for you. We know the place as ‘Hell’, and we know what you might expect there. For we know that there will be eternal damnation, fire and brimstone, even more hatred and punishment than you ever encountered here on earth. It’s not good friends. But it doesn’t have to be the final answer, for as long as you are alive, my Savior will also listen to your cry for forgiveness. I have provided Scripture references in my Footnote (click on ‘To Know Jesus’) that will help you make this change, plus I will remain available to help you, if you simply ask. Please contact me about this, for all hope of a bright and eternal life lies in the One who created it all – life, this world, family, friends, spouse, children, and heaven itself. Jesus is the answer, my friend!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, thank You for loving me, accepting me as Your very own, and for providing an eternal home for me where I might worship You endlessly with Your Father! I believe there are many who will read this devotional who will recognize their shortcomings in finding someone in whom they could place their faith and trust for all times. Please speak to Your children today. Please soften hardened hearts so that they may stop, listen and accept Your invitation to take charge of their lives. Oh Lord, may today be an awesome day of decision making for many, because of Your involvement and You tenderly speaking to them. May You be glorified today, 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!

A Safe Place

On 2020-12-162020-12-15 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: ⁷The Lord is good. He is a safe place to go to in times of trouble. He takes care of those who trust him.
⁸But 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!

Your Debt – Paid In Full!

On 2020-10-042020-10-03 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Forgiveness, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Sunday, 2020-10-04
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Hebrews 9:11-14
TRANSLATION: New Century Version (NCV)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹¹….When Christ came as the high priest of the good things we now have,^[b] he entered the greater and more perfect tent. It is not made by humans and does not belong to this world. ¹²Christ entered the Most Holy Place only once—and for all time. He did not take with him the blood of goats and calves. His sacrifice was his own blood, and by it he set us free from sin forever.
¹⁴….. He offered himself through the eternal Spirit^[c] as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will make our consciences pure from useless acts so we may serve the living God.

OBSERVATION: Having recently retired, much of my retirement funds were used to pay off debt incurred while I was in the working world. An awesome feeling to receive a statement saying ‘Paid in Full’! Can you even imagine how I may have felt if I called for a payoff and the creditor told me that the debt was repaid in full on my behalf? Yet Jesus Christ did that for us who believe on Him for eternal life! Oh what a Savior!

APPLICATION: So often we may feel indebted when we have messed up at work, in our marriage, in other relationships, or just through disobedience of the law. We try to make it up by over-compensating in our efforts to show the other party that we are sorry, and sometimes that helps. However, those foolish errors often linger in the minds of those impacted by our mistakes, and may even come back to haunt us later on. So what do you suppose happens when we disobey God and His commands? This is a daily occurrence, and the Bible is clear on how this impacts those who have no regard for the Lord Jesus Christ. You see, we must remember that we are all sinners destined for a fiery Hell, unless we humble ourselves and seek the face of the only One who can forgive us of our sin, Jesus, the Son of God. For those who have been obedient to the Word of God, and the voice of God, and asked Jesus to be Lord of their lives, I would joyfully remind you today that our Savior’s actions in today’s Scripture demonstrates that He who stood before His Father on our behalf and validated that His blood was shed for our eternal benefit. Our debt was settled because of His sacrifice! There was no need for Him to approach the throne with the blood of animals, because His precious blood was sufficient to atone for all of our sins, for all time. Yes, He demonstrated His love for all mankind when He hung on the cross at Calvary and accepted the cruelty of those who hated Him. However, Jesus knew that it was His blood that would cleanse us of our sin, so in spite of those children that hated Him, yet He sacrificed for the atonement of the sin of those that would be called by His name. Friends, that is love so amazing that we might never begin to imagine! For those who have accepted Jesus’ love and sacrifice, please use this special day of worship to praise Him, thank Him, and glorify His precious name, for in verse 13 above, we are reminded that our sin has been forgiven forever. We therefore have a date one day in Heaven with our Lord! All glory to Him who reigns on high!! For those who have chosen to ignore the love of our Savior, and therefore have nothing to look forward to, other than eternal damnation in Hell, please know that I care about your eternity, and I would very much appreciate you reconsidering the invitation from Jesus. Invite Him into your heart dear friend. He went to the extreme to provide eternal salvation for you. Please accept His sacrifice, with thanksgiving and appreciation! It will change your destiny from Hell, to the glories of Heaven! Read my Footnote carefully, including information behind the included links. You could be a changed person today!

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, no one has shown us love like You did. No one can change our destination, only You. All are destined for Hell, unless they turn their eyes towards You and accept Your invitation. It’s all about You Lord. Please encourage all believers who will read this devotional that they have such a great hope to look forward to, regardless of the pitfalls of this old sinful world. Please remind those who have decided to wait, or perhaps not see the necessity of a relationship with You, that today is the day of salvation, for decisions are not possible beyond life here on earth. In deepest appreciation, I acknowledge that You are Lord of all! Thank You Heavenly Father! AMEN!

How To Get From Here to There

On 2019-10-26 By Ed AlgreenIn direction, Evangelism, Evangelize, Forgiveness, Obedience, Salvation, SavedLeave a comment

Saturday, 2019-10-26

Bible Reference: John 6:43-44
Translation: Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)

Bible Text: ⁴³ But Jesus said, “Stop complaining to each other. ⁴⁴ The Father is the one who sent me, and he is the one who brings people to me. I will raise them up on the last day. Anyone the Father does not bring to me cannot come to me.

OBSERVATION: For someone asking for directions to a friends house on the other side of town, you might tell them from personal experience, you might write down turn by turn directions, or you might give them the proper physical address so they could use their GPS. There may be some who, after being inspired by the Holy Spirit, may ask for directions on how to become a follower of Christ. Can you give them the same detailed instructions?

APPLICATION: Many who were following Jesus and listening to His teaching just didn’t get it. In fact, in this very chapter we read about many turning away because they just wasn’t sure that Jesus was the ‘real thing’. Friends, are either of these first two statements any different than what we see today? I don’t think so. Just imagine, there are folk that attend our churches today that are there because mom or dad insisted that they attend; or perhaps a man is attending because his wife came from a church background and insisted that he come to church with her. But let me encourage you by saying much like Jesus described and announced to His followers in this scripture, there are many ‘true’ or ‘real’ Christians that we know and fellowship with, who have been touched by the mighty hand of God – the same God that sent Jesus – our Redeemer, Mediator and Savior. These folk have committed their lives to the lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ in total surrender. To better understand the imagery of what Jesus is teaching here, I want you to think for a moment of the number of folk that you walk up to, or work/play alongside each day. Are you committed to them? No, you happened to have entered into their space because of normal circumstances. Now, let’s imagine that you have been invited by the White House staff to appear before the president of the United States. Would there be a difference in how you prepare yourself with how you will appear in his space? I’m sure there will be! Now think for a moment that something has occurred in your life where you feel certain that the Holy Spirit of God is urging you to accept an invitation to attend church this weekend, or perhaps to accept that luncheon request from an old Christian friend who’s been inviting you for a while now. Let’s assume that at either of these meetings the truth of God’s Word is shared and an invitation given to you to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Having been urged by the Holy Spirit, do you suppose that you would have a very strong desire to accept, based on how everything came together? Friend, may I suggest to you that you look beyond situations that many might call coincidences, or mere luck? May I suggest that you recognize the hand of God when He touches your life; penetrates your heart with His divine presence; and calls you to a decision to follow Him? To all who surrender; to all who believes on Him; to all who commits to His invitation and call; to them He offers life eternal, just like He said in verse 44 – “He will raise you up” to be with Him and the Father on Resurrection Day! I am anxiously looking forward to that day friend, I hope that you will be obedient to His call today and prepare yourself for the awesome meeting with Jesus. The promise of Heaven is reserved for those who know and have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Others will be presented with quite the opposite experience – hell and damnation. The choice we make today, in response to the call of the Father, determines our final destination. Please don’t disappoint me, nor my heavenly Father.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your invitation to to one day join You in heaven. Who is man that You should care enough for us to make such a provision? Thank You for loving Your children enough to speak with us one-on-one and for providing us the sacrificial means for the forgiveness of our sin and our subsequent entry into heaven. Thank You for Jesus! I have friends and family who have rejected Your call on their life, or they are perhaps of the wrong impression that their sinful lives are ‘good enough’ to see them into heaven. Lord, have mercy on them. Please tender the hearts of the stubborn and unconcerned today. May they recognize Your voice and adhere to Your calling today, before it is eternally too late for them to do so. All these things I ask humbly, and in the powerful name of Jesus, my Savior, AMEN!

Our Priorities – In Light of Eternity

On 2019-08-18 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Priorities, Priority, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

Sunday, 2019-08-18

Bible Reference: Luke 16:27-31
Translation: Living Bible (TLB)

Bible Text: ²⁷“Then the rich man said, ‘O Father Abraham, then please send him to my father’s home— ²⁸for I have five brothers—to warn them about this place of torment lest they come here when they die.’
²⁹“But Abraham said, ‘The Scriptures have warned them again and again. Your brothers can read them any time they want to.’
³⁰“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham, they won’t bother to read them. But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins.’
³¹“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even though someone rises from the dead.’”

OBSERVATION: To totally miss the boat (of Salvation) while here on earth, is a sad commentary about the priorities of a person while alive. Could it be that the friends they hung around distracted them from things that their heart is really burdened about? I’m sure that reaching a state of eternal damnation would suddenly bring more regrets than anything we could even imagine, but in our Scripture today, Jesus teaches how we might quickly reflect on our missed opportunities. If only I would have…. then perhaps I could have helped….. I hope that as we meditate on this Scripture today, our eyes will be opened to the opportunities presented to us each and every day, and on the things of life that we often control our priorities!

APPLICATION: At the end of any given day, we may reflect on missed opportunities, and we may often attribute those to lack of time. I am a firm believer that we should really call these what they are – lack of priority. Notice how, in our Scripture, the rich man saw the urgency of getting word to his siblings after he had passed on and experienced the results of his own damnation? Let us think about our own siblings – how often have we sat down and talked with our siblings about their salvation? Isn’t it easy for us to look on these scenarios as embarrassing moments, or times that we just couldn’t muster up the courage to say something to them? How might we deal with our inner feelings if we heard that one of our siblings died a very cruel, unexpected death, without us ever having the opportunity to speak seriously with them about the condition of their soul? The other important thing for us to learn from these verses is that the rich man was not exempt from reconciliation with the King of the Universe. He also was held accountable about the choices that he made while here on earth. Friends, please be reminded that regardless of our financial position, or our regularity of attending church, or how kind we are to those in need, yet there is one thing, and only one thing that God will look at on Judgment Day – the heart of the individual. What if the question was asked of you today: Is your heart right with God? Have you invited Jesus Christ to assume lordship of your life? What if you never made it pass the next hour here on earth and God asked you why should He let you into His kingdom? May I suggest that you set your priorities straight my friend, be ready for your encounter with God, for it may easily be today.

PRAYER: Dearest Lord Jesus, there is no greater priority than our meeting with You, for this life is worthless without the assurance of our future in heaven with You. Thank You that we could have the assurance of our salvation, so that we could know without a doubt, to whom we belong. May we, without hesitation or lack of words, confidently claim the One who died for us at Calvary and saved us from our sin as we boldly step before the throne of God one day! AMEN!

To Live In Expectation of That Day!

On 2019-05-21 By Ed AlgreenIn Acknowledge God, Joy, Temptation, Temptations, TrialsLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2019-05-19

Bible Reference: Job 19:23-27
Translation: Living Bible (TLB)

Bible Text: ^23-24Oh, that I could write my plea with an iron pen in the rock forever.
²⁵“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. ²⁶And I know that after this body has decayed, this body shall see God! ²⁷Then he will be on my side! Yes, I shall see him, not as a stranger, but as a friend! What a glorious hope!

OBSERVATION: In ways that we could never imagine, Job was tested and tried because of his faith. In ways that may have caused us to buckle under the pressure, Job stayed true to God and endured the persecution. All because He knew that a day was coming that he would unite with the King of Glory! What a lesson for us to ponder today as we meditate on the Word of God!

APPLICATION: At the beginning of the book of Job, God said of Job that he was a true man of God that stood tall among other men and was firm in his commitment to God, in spite of what might come his way. Friends, we have seen for the past 18 chapters where Satan unleashed his power on Job and, yes it became very discouraging for Job, because he even wished he was never born. But praise to the God of heaven and the Savior of all mankind, Job never lost his allegiance to God. He knew that God was right there, and that it was he (Job) that needed to lift his eyes above the troubles and look towards the day when he would see God’s wonderful and loving face. I believe that when he wished that these words were written in stone for others to see and be encouraged by, he not only thought of us, but he also wished that he could be encouraged by his own words when discouraging times came. Job realized and acknowledged where his struggles came, but he also firmly acknowledged where his strength came from. Satan is very powerful friends, but our God is head and shoulders above him, He created this universe and He is very capable of ruling and reigning over Satan and any of his deceptions, lies or devious acts that could possibly be imposed upon us while living in this old world. What a lesson this is for us! If we would take time to analyze the cause of our sin, our frustration, our weakness and our failing, perhaps it would help us to do like Job and stand firm in our faith in spite of all that goes on in our lives. I believe that our application here is that we must make God so much a part of our lives that not only will He be able to say like He did about Job, but that He will also acknowledge our commitment, our dedication to the cause of Christ, and that our faith will be evident to our God and to those around us. Friends, others hear of Jesus but they are constantly looking for proof of His existence in the lives of His children here on earth. Will they identify whose we are, and in whom we gain our strength and guidance. While we are living each day in the fear of the Lord, others are watching for an example to follow, and they are making mental notes, so that when anything is said about us, whether in life or death, they will be ready to attest to our lives and what our principles and character meant to them. Let us then live in the light of eternity, in our everlasting hope, in the One who leads us to the love others like He did. Let us stand strong in our faith, no matter what may come against us by this world and it’s leader. Our God’s not dead, for He is very much alive in us each and every day!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are my hope and my strength in all that I contend with in this old world. My joy comes from You alone, and it causes me to reflect on heaven where I will spend eternity with my wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Thank You for loving me enough to make such provisions for me. Thank You for always being there for me! Please continue to give me strength to look above my troubles and look towards the heavens and remember all the joys that are mine! Lord, more than we could ever imagine, You are fully aware of our challenges here on earth, and You know full well everything that my friends and I face on a daily basis. Please keep us focused on You, so that our challenging times down here will seem miniscule compared to the overwhelming joy that is ours when we join You in heaven. Thank You for watching over Job, yet allowing his true strength and joy to be revealed to us in the scriptures. May the light of Your Word always be the path that we will follow all the days of our lives! Jesus, I ask all this in Your precious and most holy name, knowing that You are Master over everything that could possibly come our way, AMEN!

Nuggets From God's Word

Tag: Eternity