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!

Eternal Impact: Living for Jesus Today

On 2024-12-28 By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s Word, Heaven, Hell, WisdomLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Saturday, December 28, 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 episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Quoted from the Good News Translation (GNT) and found in Ecclesiastes 2:15-16

THE SCRIPTURE READS
¹⁵I thought to myself, “What happens to fools is going to happen to me, too. So what have I gained from being so wise?” “Nothing,” I answered, “not a thing.” ¹⁶No one remembers the wise, and no one remembers fools. In days to come, we will all be forgotten. We must all die—wise and foolish alike.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
Solomon, son of the great king of Israel, David, is known as the wisest man ever lived. He had kings from neighboring territories visit with him in hopes of gaining wisdom, or at least to learn from his wisdom. He was also known as one of the richest kings of his time, and he had many wives and concubines. So, I believe it would be easy to conclude that Solomon probably had it made in all aspects of life! This may compare to those today who have very successful businesses, rich in financial means, and in attracting others into their home and company, for many people are drawn to those who may be able to supply their needs and wants. However, in regard to the riches of other, I think of the wisdom and phrases of my elders, where I heard such sayings as ‘they have more money than sense!’ or ‘They have more money that they will ever live to enjoy!’ or ‘Money can’t buy their way into heaven!’ or ‘They put their pants on the same way that the fool down the road does!’. I’m sure there are many other similar sayings you might know of also, but I found it interesting in being reminded of how Solomon came to realize that his wisdom was not an end-all to the many challenges of life. I love films that show how bosses, or rich folk come to their senses, and they see what it’s really like at the bottom. It might be satisfying for a business owner to walk into a room of employees and admire the smiles on their faces, knowing that they have such wonderful employees! However, it would be extremely sobering to live a day in each of their shoes to see what it takes for them to live on the salary you are paying them, or their credit card balances due primarily to buying decent apparel for work, or their worry about childcare, food, transportation, rent, etc. It seems to me that Solomon was sobered into realizing that his wisdom does nothing for his afterlife, for his fool hearted school pal or relative will travel a very similar road and God will go through a very similar decision of their relationship with Him during their lifetime. Friends, I believe that especially at the thought of a New Year approaching, it might be a good time today for us to step aside from the busyness of life and examine our position with God. Has the work, busyness, family events, church activities, parties, vacations, and the many other events of 2024 brought us closer to God than we were on January 1, 2024? In verse 12 of this chapter I am studying, Solomon started out comparing his life of wisdom to a life of foolishness and recklessness that he sees in his friends. I believe Solomon came to the same conclusion that I pray we will come to as we meditate on this Word from God today – only what’s done for Jesus will last and, our eternity is totally based on our personal relationship with our God. Without the latter, we will leave this world and enter into an eternity in Hell with Satan. Please, please, please, dear readers, don’t fall prey to the current worldly trend of thinking that if we die, we have gone to heaven. The Bible is clear that only a child of God – one who believes on the name of Jesus and has given Him lordship over their life, will one day see Him in glory. All others will assume their rightful place with Satan and his demons in Hell, no matter how good they were here on earth.

PRAYER
Lord, please open the eyes of my readers and myself to those things that we may tend to spur on our confidence, and help us to concentrate on our dependence on, and need for, You. Nothing that we do here on earth will last, and only what’s done for Jesus will last. Yet we tend to spend our time and energies on exactly the things that are temporary. Please forgive us Lord, and as we approach a New Year where we could choose to make new beginnings, please give us the strength and stamina to reach for a closer and more intimate relationship with You. Draw me close dear Lord. Examine my heart and open my eyes to the things that You want to see me direct my attention to. I also pray that this might also ignite a new desire in the heart my readers. May 2025 be a year when Your children will become more like loving and legitimate children than ever before, so that we may be more influential in the lives of those that need a closer relationship with You. AMEN!

Eternal Life in Heaven – How?

On 2023-02-242023-02-24 By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Eternal Life, Eternity, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Friday, 2023-02-24
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 10:25-29
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: ²⁵And a certain lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law] stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” ²⁷And he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁸Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this habitually and you will live.” ²⁹But he, wishing to justify and vindicate himself, asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

OBSERVATION: Perhaps one of the most well-known verses in the Bible is John 3:16! One of the principal lines included is ‘whosever believes on the Son of God will have eternal life’. There may be many who will question Jesus like the lawyer did in today’s Scripture, because they want to ensure that in their life here on earth, they have prepared themselves for life eternally in heaven. So, let’s get our response from this important Scripture where Jesus addresses this exact question.

APPLICATION: Isn’t it interesting how, when we devote our time to certain lifestyles and we study certain subjects, we try to find our answers to life’s toughest questions in those things? In today’s Scripture our lawyer/friend, who was an expert in Mosaic law, felt like he had the right answer to this question that was impacting his mind, but since he had opportunity to speak directly with the One who had answers to all of life’s questions, he went ahead and tried to make sure that the answer was nothing more than what he discovered in the laws handed down by his ancestor, Moses. In John 3:16, Jesus said that ‘whosoever believes on Him, will have eternal life’. However, the lawyer didn’t want to trust just the laws of Moses with such an important question. He had to make sure that he had the most accurate answer possible, so that he could make sure of his eternal destiny after this life here on earth. I believe his reasoning may have been similar to what we still struggle with today, for it is obvious from the answer given by Jesus that something else will result for those who choose not to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ Many have chosen to ignore the question of what happens after life here on earth, because they feel like the Maker and Designer of all mankind will not punish that which He has created. Friends, you are precisely right in your assumption should God have created us to be robots and do only what He tells us to. However, He created us in His own image, and gave us the option to choose what we will do about our eternity. For those who acknowledge His lordship and do as the Scripture says today, they will one day be rewarded with the likes of heaven where they will spend eternity with the Father (God), the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit (the 3rd arm of the Trinity). For the rebels who want to do life their way and ignore the very One who created them in His likeness, then our loving Father will sadly watch as they gain their reward – eternity in Hell with the master they chose – Satan. You might quickly retort that you never ‘chose Satan’. But dear friend, the way that this works is that unless you specifically chose to believe in Jesus and love Him with all your heart, soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself, then you will never change the trajectory of your life – eternity with the Evil One – Satan. My greatest aim with Nuggets From God’s Word, is to allow God to speak through my thoughts and prayers to impact the hearts of His kids. I pray that today will be no exception, and that the Holy Spirit will provoke your curiosity, just as He did with the lawyer in our Bible story, so that you may also seek after answers that will impact you for all eternity. This is one of those things that you can settle today – where will you spend eternity? In Heaven, or in Hell? It’s your choice, and your decision today will settle the issue for you for all eternity! Let me encourage you to choose Heaven, because I really want to meet each of you there, but most of all, I want us to celebrate Jesus as we bow in homage to Him for all eternity!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: The secret to eternal life in heaven, is to habitually love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourself!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord Jesus for the blessed hope we have of one day being in Heaven with You and our Father. Lord, I pray that everyone who will take time to read this devotional today may not only be excited about the prospect of seeing You and worshipping at Your feet, but they will make sure that they are indeed ready for the day when life here on earth is ended. A day that every human will face, if the trumpet is not sounded first. We work hard at readying ourselves for a good job, a high-profile banquet, or the arrival of our child, please lord, help us to be sure that our election is sure, and that our soul is secure so that when we close our eyes in death here on earth, we will open our eyes in eternity with You. Also, Lord. just as we would quickly do all within our power to help a friend prepare for an oncoming storm, help us to also make it a priority to challenge them and help them to be in a state of readiness for the day when You call them home to glory. Be glorified in all we do and say today, Lord, for Your kingdom’s sake. 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!

Are You Registered Yet?

On 2023-02-202023-02-20 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Assurance, Believe, Heaven, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Salvation, Saved, Savior, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Monday, 2023-02-20
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 10:17-20
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁷When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”¹⁸“Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! ¹⁹Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. ²⁰But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

APPLICATION: Often we only need to be associated in a group who is experiencing success in some area of their ministry, for us to start bragging about what God is doing in and through our church, or group. Praise the Lord that you can do that, and I pray that there will be many opportunities to experience success in your work, and then rejoice in the celebration of that success. The 70 disciples were given authority by Jesus to heal the sick, tell them about Jesus and cast out demons. These guys returned in such rare form! They bragged to Jesus about how they saw demons obey their commands when they used His name to cast them out. You can only imagine the excitement! Why, we do the same thing when we see people saved and their lives totally transformed. We are thankful to God when we see people leave their worldly offerings of ball games, beach parties, family times around the television, and so on, so they could be in church worshipping together with us. We know that coming to God’s house to worship together and hear a message from God, will speak truth intro their lives and could create an environment where Satan is not welcomed, so we rejoice and celebrate in God being at work. BUT, do you really get the jest of what Jesus told His disciples? In this world, there will be many reasons to rejoice, to celebrate, or even thank God for moving in the ministries of our church! But what what do you suppose will happen in our churches if our people would remind themselves of their eternal destination as often as they meet? Just talking about heaven should excite us beyond words, and cause us to worship, adore and praise the Lord Jesus for making this all possible to us. Don’t you know that when God’s children truly act like children of the King, and they respond to the reminder of whose they are and where they are going, this is bound to excite those worshipping together with us, and they will want to make sure that their names are registered in heaven and they have the assurance of eternity with our Creator, God Almighty, and His precious Son? The challenging part of corporate worship is that almost everyone will sing, or raise their hands in worship, while some may even sing in a choir, receive the offering or greet visitors. This might help everyone subscribe to a thought that they are all in the same boat and everyone is headed to heaven. But God’s Word declares that the latter only occurs when one has accepted Jesus as Lord of their life and repented of their sin. To repent means that you ask for the help of God to turn away from your sin, so that you might, instead, follow a totally opposite direction in life – one that is obedient to God, and following in His will for your life, as detailed in the Word of God. Friends, just as Jesus told His disciples who had been out ministering in His name, there is nothing more important than to know that your name is written in the book of heaven. If you are unsure, or if you have reason to doubt your assurance of this, please get with a local, Bible teaching Pastor, or drop a note back to me so I could help you with this most important question.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: For those who have their name registered in Heaven, Jesus is ready to welcome you home when that time comes! Glory to God in the highest!

PRAYER: I find it fascinating that even after sending out the 70 to minister and heal in Your name, that You still saw the importance of them knowing without a shadow of doubt that their name is written, or registered in heaven. It is so easy for us to feel such a part of a group, that we may convince ourselves that we have the same privileges as the overall group has. Thankfully, I am reminded by Your words today, Lord, that a group setting will not save me. It’s only through accepting the new birth that is offered through Jesus Christ alone that I am saved, my name registered in the book of heaven, and I am on my way to spending eternity with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Please Lord, use this simple reminder from You, and the simple explanation of this devotional to open the eyes of those blinded by Satan, pride and the greed of this world. Please show them the way, the truth, and the glories of heaven that can be theirs if they would simply accept You as Lord and Savior. Give each reader and/or listener new reasons to truly worship and adore You today! AMEN!

Your Choice – Life or Death?

On 2022-11-212022-11-21 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: ²¹For 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]. ²²If, 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]. ²³But 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; ²⁴yet 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!

Warnings Apply Right Up To The End of Time

On 2022-05-262022-05-26 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, End Times, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Warning, Warning Signs, Worship2 Comments

DATE POSTED Thursday, 2022-05-26
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Corinthians 10:6-11
TRANSLATION: Good News Translation (GNT)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁶Now, all of this is an example for us, to warn us not to desire evil things, as they did, ⁷nor to worship idols, as some of them did. As the scripture says, “The people sat down to a feast which turned into an orgy of drinking and sex.” ⁸We must not be guilty of sexual immorality, as some of them were—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them fell dead. ⁹We must not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did—and they were killed by snakes. ¹⁰We must not complain, as some of them did—and they were destroyed by the Angel of Death.
¹¹All these things happened to them as examples for others, and they were written down as a warning for us. For we live at a time when the end is about to come.

APPLICATION: I pray that today your eyes will be opened to a few things:
1. That the Bible is so alive and applicable to us, even in these current days;
2. That we should try to apply the truth of the Bible in every aspect of our current-day life;
3. Learn to thank God for His warnings, and not just feel sorry for what our ancestors went through;
4. Know that the God who dealt with the Israelites, is the same God we pray to today; the same God who provides for us today; and the same God who is still capable of disciplining or punishing us today for our stubbornness and disobedience;
5. That the same God who provided a ’Promised Land’ for the Israelites, is the same God who has promised us a new world also – Heaven!
In acknowledging that the Bible is alive and how It speak to us, let me share with you that I have read the Bible in it’s entirety a few times, and yet today as I read this Scripture, it was anew and spoke very pointedly to me as if for the very first time I was reading it. In reading the Old Testament, we could easily get the impression that it’s a storybook and, after reading the New Testament and seeing all that God did for us through His Son Jesus, we may tend to feel like there is no way that God would deal with us like He did with the Israelites. But then today’s Scripture comes into view, and we see where God wants us to know that He is still God, and that He will not tolerate sin any better in our day than He did with the Israelites. Now before you share how you feel like we don’t do the sort of things like the Israelites did, such as making idols, let me remind you that an idol is ‘an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship’, or ‘a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered’. Friends, many churches are dying and some have even closed their doors, because too many of their members have found other objects to worship, and their admiration of persons or things have taken priority in their lives. It seems to me that Covid came along to test the sincerity of the hearts of our people. It worked, in that people had an excuse not to attend church. While out of touch with God (because so many use their church service as their only time to learn about God), our people have substituted that time with other personal ‘idols’ and therefore cannot get back into the habit of attending church, at least until another tragedy or scare hits them. I know, you have probably decided by now that I am way too opinionated, but let me be the first to say that my simple purpose is to point my readers and listeners to Christ through reminding them of His Word. If you discern anything other than that, then I would ask that you forgive me if I have misled you, and I would instead suggest that you personally dig into the Word of God and seek the will of God for your life. We are reminded right at the very end of today’s Scripture that the end is near. This is a reminder that you can only seek God and His righteousness while you’re alive. God said that there will come a time when He will end the world, as we know it today. The warnings for what we must do now, is evident in God’s Word. Please let me implore you to accept these warnings and redirect your life to live as Jesus desires of you through His written instructions. For the one who does this will enjoy eternity in heaven with God and His Son, Jesus. The one who chooses not to bother with this, will unfortunately endure the punishment of Hell and its Chief – Satan, for all eternity. I believe the choice is clear, but you must decide for yourself. Now it’s up to you dear friend!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God rescued His people, the Israelites, and gave them freedom to live in a new place He had in store for them. God has offered to do the exact thing for us, if we permit Him to. Praise God for His offer of salvation!

PRAYER: Thank You Father for ministering to us today through Your servant Paul. What a true awakening and what an opportunity for us today. Lord, may each reader and/or listener make the right decision today and reaffirm their relationship with You, or come to know You as Lord for the very first time. In knowing You, may we all decide wholeheartedly to obey You and give You full control of our lives until You call us home to enjoy our long-term benefits – the likes of heaven with You for all eternity! Touch hearts today precious Lord, I pray that You will have no need for another warning directed at us. AMEN!

Some Listen To God and Some Don’t. Here’s Why?

On 2021-10-312021-10-30 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Salvation, Satisfaction, Worship1 Comment

Sunday, 2021-10-31

Bible Reference: John 8:44-47
Translation: Good News Translation (GNT)

Bible Text: ⁴⁴You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father’s desires. From the very beginning he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies. ⁴⁵But I tell the truth, and that is why you do not believe me. ⁴⁶Which one of you can prove that I am guilty of sin? If I tell the truth, then why do you not believe me? ⁴⁷He who comes from God listens to God’s words. You, however, are not from God, and that is why you will not listen.”

APPLICATION: If I had a talk on hunting, and you were not into sports, or if your parents never liked hunting, you would probably have no interest in attending my talk. Plus, if you got stuck in the room where I had my lecture, you would probably argue with almost everything I said. In our society today, we have parents who have no connection to God, so He is not spoken of around the house, nor do they make any attempt to take their children to church. But what if Jesus came to your town, and what if He was speaking at a local church, don’t you think that many people from your town would make a special effort to go out and see Him? They may want to settle their curiosity that this Jesus, the One who has always been the talk of your neighbors and friends – that He really does exists. But how do you think they would react when He speaks on matters that really hits close to home? Why Jesus may even say the same thing to our people as He said to the Jewish leaders – you are challenged to believe in me, and to visit your local church, because you have your sights centered on this world and it’s leader. You are being pulled down by your friends, causing you to be discouraged and with no desire to learn about Jesus. Remember dear one, that the message of Jesus is that of love, faith, peace and forgiveness. Friends, as you read today’s verses, you may assume that this does not apply to you because you never gave Satan control of your life. Please allow me to clear that up for you. When you are born into this world you are a natural being controlled by the leader of the natural world. And it’s not until you are introduced to Jesus, that you ever know that there is another, and a better leader. But the path to Jesus is one where each individual has to make a personal decision to accept the gift of salvation that He offers. So if a pastor, or as in our story today, Jesus, was there speaking, and He called you a child of Satan, it’s because He knows that you have not accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior yet. I’m sure that you may be filled with questions as to what difference this all makes. The difference is huge, for if you maintain your natural stance and keep Satan as your ruler, you wind up spending eternity in the place he has prepared for you – hell, with all of its terror and total damnation. Conversely, Jesus has also given us a glimpse of what His eternal home looks like, and it is detailed in His very own written Word – the Bible. There we learn that His home is free from sorrow, heartache, pain and disappointment, and filled with the glorious light of His Father (God), which prompts endless praise and rejoicing from His people (us). So my dear friend, I pray that you will make the best decision, based on what I have shared with you. I pray that you will listen to the voice of God as He calls your name, and that you will surrender your life to Him. As this occurs, you will clearly understand what Jesus meant in the last verse above – you will then hear His voice and obey His commands, for you are His! If you have not made the decision I mentioned above, please read on to my Footnote and click on the links included. You will receive more Biblical help on making that very important decision.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please hear our cry today for we are Your children looking forward to spending eternity with You. Some may read this devotional today and are undecided about changing their allegiance from Satan, to you. Please tender their hearts today and draw them unto yourself, so that they may tear down the barriers that are preventing their decision. Oh that they will know You today, is my humble plea. Thank You Jesus for loving us enough to pave the way for our eternal peace with the Father. 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!

No One Likes Separation

On 2021-07-022021-07-02 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Righteous, Separation, Worship2 Comments

DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2021-07-02
WRITTEN AT: Gallup, NM

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 13:47-50
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁴⁷Or think of it this way: the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea, a net that caught a world of flickering fish. ⁴⁸When the net was full, the fishermen hauled it to shore. They separated the good fish from the bad, placing the good fish in a bucket and throwing out the inedible fish. ⁴⁹That is what the end of time will be like. The heavenly messengers will separate the good from the bad, the righteous from the wicked, the repentant from the prideful, the faithful from the hard-hearted. ⁵⁰The bad, the wicked, the prideful, and the hard-hearted will be thrown into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

APPLICATION: In preparing for a fun time of volleyball, we ache when the team captains pick their teams, and we are the last to be chosen. We feel like there is something about us that didn’t catch the fancy of the team captains. But what if we were rejected? Imagine neither team captain wanting us on their team? I believe that everyone knows that the world was created by God, and that He also created each of us. So why then might God accept one into His Kingdom when we leave this world, but not accept another? There’s no need for guessing, my friend, God kept nothing secret from us. He inspired great writers/saints to record His teachings and His commands, so that we will not be caught off guard or claim that we didn’t know. Our Scripture today is very clear when It says that at a time known only by God Himself, the angels will be instructed by God to separate the righteous from those who have chosen to reject Jesus. I know, you immediately shouted back as you read this or heard this in my podcast, that you never rejected Christ. Please allow me to clarify this dilemma for you. In God’s Word, He acknowledged creating you, but He said that when you come to an age of understanding, you will learn that God sent His Son, Jesus, for the purpose of saving mankind from their sin, and for those who accept Him as Lord and Savior, they will assume the righteousness of Christ. So if you have not seen the need to make that step, you are considered to be living under the power of sin, and sin is not permitted in Heaven. There will come a day when you will meet God, but there will not be an opportunity to explain your decision, or have your attorney represent you before God. You see, God knows everything about us – even our thoughts, so He knows that you are not washed in the blood of His Son, Jesus. There is no holding place. You will either be ushered into heaven, or directed to the Evil Place – Hell. Notice that Jesus helped the unsaved understand what to expect in Hell. He used such words as: fiery place; furnace; weeping; grinding/gnashing of teeth; etc. In other words, Hell is not a place you would choose for your next vacation, so why settle for spending eternity there? Friends, please consider never being rejected again. Ready yourself for heaven, with the One who created you. If interested in doing that today, please read my Footnote, especially the Scripture included in the link ‘To Know Jesus’. You may also want to speak with a local Bible teaching pastor, and/or contacting me by email. I would love to introduce you to my Savior, and pray with you about this most important decision.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God has a place prepared for those who have accepted His Son Jesus, and I believe He is longing to welcome us home! Because I believe that Judgment Day is very near, I believe that God has blessed you with one more opportunity to accept Jesus – TODAY! Please?

PRAYER: We go to extremes in preparing for a special day, and we are so very excited for that day to arrive. Lord, I want to always be that excited on the day you take me out of this world to spend eternity with You! I am so troubled over my friends who have chosen to accept the pitfalls of Hell and the awful snares of the Evil One. Please Lord, place such an urgency in my heart for my family and friends that I would do my part to encourage their decision. I would also ask that You do the same for all of my readers who share this concern today. Lord, be glorified in us today, and touch all those that we come into contact with today. AMEN!

It’s Time

On 2021-04-242021-04-24 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2021-04-24
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Mark 1:14-15
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁴Later on, after John the Baptizer was arrested, Jesus went back into the region of Galilee and preached the wonderful gospel of God’s kingdom. ¹⁵His message was this: “At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for God’s kingdom to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!”

OBSERVATION: When one prepares for major surgery, there are many things to consider. Doctors and nurses try to help prepare you for what must be done, as you may be incapacitated for a while. The better you prepare, the better you and your affairs are attended to during your down-time. In today’s study, we are encouraged to turn our lives towards God, as the fulfillment of His kingdom is at hand. How well are you prepared, should Jesus return today?

APPLICATION: There’s a lot in the Bible that warns us about the time leading up to the return of Jesus, and there are many warnings as to what will occur if you are prepared for that historic event. It is a known fact that many will refuse to believe in the return of Christ; and God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that would happen, so He gave insight into what will happen to those who refuse to listen, believe and accept Jesus as Lord. Friends, please know that our Scripture today applies to everyone, not just those who believe in their Creator and have accepted His free gift of Eternal Life. Just as in most areas of our lives, many are skeptical, Jesus knew that regardless of what was done in a manger in Bethlehem many years ago, and no matter how much pain He endured on a rugged old cross at Calvary, yet some will doubt, while many will procrastinate as if they know the day and the hour that Christ will return. But I feel a responsibility to warn you today, that just as the prophets foretold the birth, crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, they also foretold exactly what Jesus returned to Galilee to tell the people there. If you visited a website where a financial guru told you where to invest your money, because He felt certain of later success and profitability in certain areas of the market, you would jump to invest every extra dime you could put your hands on. Yet the Creator of this universe, and of you and I, says in His Word that He loves you enough to sacrifice His very life for you, because He wants you to be ready when the trumpet of God is sounded. But some have opted to accept eternal damnation in Hell instead. What’s with that dear friends? To my reader who remains skeptical about my Lord, please let me remind you that there is no greater love than for a man to lay down His own life for you, like my Jesus did. Please be careful as you observe the free will He has given to you. Unless you accept Him as Lord and Savior of your life, you are destined for a sinner’s Hell. To those who have accepted Him and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, there is a place prepared for you, together with all the saints, in glory, where we may rejoice with the Father and the Son forevermore! The choice is easy my friend, but you must make that choice. Make it today, while you still have breath to do so.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me home… Thank You Lord for saving my soul and thank You for the promised rewards of Heaven. Oh that Your Word might penetrate the heart of the unsaved one that reads this devotional. May they choose life – life eternal with You and the Father in Heaven. We long to be where You are dear Lord. May Your kingdom come soon. AMEN!

It’s Time To Respond

On 2021-02-162021-02-15 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Salvation, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2021-02-16
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 13:41-43

TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁴¹The Son of Man will send his messengers, and they will uproot everything out of his kingdom. All the lawless ones and everything that causes sin will be removed. ⁴²And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where they will experience great sorrow, pain, and anguish.^[v] ⁴³Then the godly ones will shine like the brightness of the sun^[w] in their Father’s kingdom realm. If you’re able to understand this, then you’d better respond!”

OBSERVATION: The wicked ones, or the ungodly, or the unbelievers will be given over to their leader – Satan. While the believers, or the Christians, or those who claim Jesus Christ as Lord, will shine brightly in heaven with their Master and Lord. This doesn’t work like the lottery, but rather by the decision that you make today while you are still alive. Try sharing with one another today which of these options will be your declaration. Perhaps saying it aloud will help you make sure that you are satisfied with the decision you have made.

APPLICATION: Praise God He does not decide on our eternal destiny based on our looks, our attitude, the color of our skin, the country where we were born nor the parents who took part in our birth. The Scripture is very clear that God made us smart enough that He was comfortable we would be capable of making our own decisions. In the Book He gave to us as our guide, He reminded us that:
> We were created to worship, adore and serve our risen Lord;
> God gave us free will to make our own decisions while here on earth, and He has agreed to honor our decision, even though it would sadden Him to see us make very bad decisions;
> God sent His only Son as our Savior to save us from the sin that He was sure we would give in to;
> God knew that some would accept His gift of salvation, and some won’t. So He made it very clear what the impact would be as a result of our own choices;
> God is a fair and righteous Judge, and He will not waiver in His judgment, especially where He knows our every thought and action. He never plays favorites;
Friends, the above points are not what the writer thinks, or points that I devised to make judgment on you. Each of these things can be supported by Scripture, and God never lied. We serve a very fair, honest and righteous God. And I am convinced that He will do what He said He would do. The decision is therefore yours to make, about what will be your eternal destiny after you close your eyes in death. However, know that you only have this life to make that decision. From the point of death and for all eternity, your days will be spent enduring the decisions you made while alive on earth. The answers given in today’s Scripture makes it clear what will be your outcome should you be called out from the world at the moment of reading this devotional. You are not promised a given date for your departure. Some die at ripe old ages, while many die while they are still young. Let me beg you to make a good decision right now on where you stand in your relationship with God. Know Him today my friend, and have that peace of mind that should He take you out today, you are satisfied with the choice you have made for all eternity. God created you, and He wants you to be with Him forever. Don’t disappoint Him.

PRAYER: Lord, we are often ecstatic when we go for a test after just being given the cheat-sheet to study the answers. You have done exactly that. You gave us Your precious Word, and You outlined exactly what will result from the decisions we make today. All those who stumble across this devotional will be smart enough to understand the Scripture quoted above. Please soften hearts that we will not again read the consequences of our decisions and still go on doing what we’ve always done. Your Word is a lamp unto our path. May we follow in the light and rejoice with the angels as we look into Your wonderful face one day soon when You call us home to glory! AMEN!

Nuggets From God's Word

Tag: Heaven