Tag: Heavenly Home

Dashing Abodes and Glorious Bodies

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

DATE POSTED Monday, 2022-12-19
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Philippians 3:20-21
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 20 But we are citizens of heaven and are eagerly waiting for our Savior to come from there. Our Lord Jesus Christ 21  has power over everything, and he will make these poor bodies of ours like his own glorious body.

APPLICATION: In addressing this challenge from the Scripture today, I believe I can say like the T-Shirt – ‘been there and done that’!! For I accepted Jesus as my Savior many years ago, and I have developed a keen sense of the awesome power and unconditional love shown towards me by my Savior over the years. In 1987 I immigrated to the USA from my birth-country, the Bahamas. So I have an earthly glimpse of what it might be like to transition from the US to Heaven, whenever I am called upon by God for my final mission. But I feel like there is more to the reason Paul wanted to challenge believers on this subject. First let’s look at the verbiage he used. One can often identify your original citizenship. Normally it’s your dialect, but it might be in your mannerisms or in the examples you use during conversations, or even in the foods you like. So when Paul reminds us to reflect on our citizenship, I believe he is saying that we must act, speak, and respond to situations like citizens of our home country might tend to do. Friends, in short – there should never be a question in someone’s mind about who our principles, values and reactions are guided by. If it appears to someone that we may be saved, but then questions arise regarding our motives or actions, then there is reason to question our salvation. Should this happen, let me encourage you to return to the cross and seek God’s forgiveness, for you may have certainly not acted the part that you promised – to imitate His character, His teachings, and His commands. I believe it’s as simple as; if we are a child of God, then we act like a child of God. Of course, these actions are taught throughout God’s Word, so we should delve into this precious Book daily, for our direction, our wisdom, and our word from God on whatever we may face that day. When we prepare for our day, it’s like preparing for the heat of battle – for how we might respond, or act in the heat of battle. When the accountant says, “You’re bankrupt”; when the doctor says, “It’s cancer”; when your boyfriend says, “Goodbye,” what do we say? Our speech, our conversation will reveal whether we’re men and women who live for the material, the temporal, the earthly—or whether we are those who live for heaven – singularly. Friends, we are reminded by Paul that our eternal home is Heaven – it’s where God the Father, and His Son Jesus resides; It’s described in Revelation as a place where the streets are made of pure gold, the gates of jasper and there’s a home especially prepared just for us! It’s where believers will spend eternity! It’s a dashing place that we all should be anxious about knowing if it will be ours for all eternity! Paul also reminds us that heaven is a place where plastic surgery is no longer required, for we will have glorious bodies – just like the One that we will see when our eyes are opened to see Jesus in person! Do you suppose we could ever be contained here on earth if we truly lived in anticipation of what lies ahead for us? Paul wants us to live in that type of anticipation and excitement, for our call to glory can come at literally any moment!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: No matter what we live in here on earth, it will be nothing compared to the glories of Heaven and the place prepared for us there! No matter who we look up to here on earth, no one can compare to the One who waits for our arrival in Heaven! I am so blessed in being reminded of my future joy, that I want to live each day here on earth in anticipation of what’s to come!

PRAYER: Thank You Jesus for saving my soul, thank You for making me whole, complete, and filled with joy because of all that You have done for me! I glory in all that You have prepared for me, and the excitement of all that I can expect when we see you in Heaven! Please Lord, help my readers, listeners and I to always live now for what we have been promised in heaven when we unite in glory with You. Help us to always look to You when things become more challenging than we could hope to overcome, for we know that with You, we are more than conquerors. Be glorified today, Lord, and if it is up to us, please help us to ensure that You are glorified through us in the words we speak and in our interaction with others. 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!

Let Heaven Fill Your Thoughts Today

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

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2021-07-07
WRITTEN AT: Williams, AZ

SCRIPTURE FROM: Colossians 3:1-3
TRANSLATION: The Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT:  1 Since you became alive again, so to speak, when Christ arose from the dead, now set your sights on the rich treasures and joys of heaven where he sits beside God in the place of honor and power. 2 Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here. 3 You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God.

APPLICATION: When Christians worry, do you suppose it’s because we are worried that God will not do what He promised? When we doubt and stress out to the limit, do you suppose that we are concerned that God is unfaithful? When we feel unloved and like no one cares, do you suppose that we allow ourselves to ponder if God must have left us alone, and He no longer cares about us? Friends, I believe that when we allow these types of feelings and/or thoughts to enter our minds, it’s because we have taken our eyes off Jesus and becoming overwhelmed by the the things of this world, and perhaps looking for the attention of earthly friends or loved ones. I believe it might be times like these that Satan moves in for the attack, for he sees that we have taken our eyes off Jesus and allowing the distractions of his world to take hold in our lives. I would highly recommend these verses to all Christians today, for if we follow the advice in verse 2 and fill our thoughts with heaven – our future home, then we will be reminded that it is a place prepared just for us. A place where we will unite with Jesus at the foot of His throne and worship Him with unending praises. A place where we will hear the voice of the Father who will encourage us with words such as “well done good and faithful servant”! A place where we will glorify the Creator of love, the One who loved us enough to die on a cross so that we might have everlasting hope and assurance of heaven. A place where there will be no distractions, but instead where our full undivided attention is centered on the Savior of the world! Try getting away where you are totally disconnected from cell phones and devices for a week. Wow, what a release! Oh how our attention is quickly drawn to the things and people who are truly important to us! Friends, I must remind you that we have allowed so much interference in our day that we not only lose sight of our one-on-one time with the Lord, but we also have lost that one-on-one time with our spouses, our children, our friends, our coworkers and all others. Is it any wonder that we have trouble evangelizing to them? If we can all agree that verse 3 is totally spot on and accurate, then we will agree that our real life is in heaven! I would dare say that our minds, our attention, our aim and our devotion should be there today and everyday. Perhaps it is time that you take a little time to get with Jesus and make sure that every little this is alright with Him. It’s important, friend.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Heaven should be the home we are headed for, and we should live each day preparing for that future home with the King of Glory!

PRAYER: Lord God, we are such worry warts, but it’s always over things that really don’t matter – things of this world. Being reminded in this scripture that our minds are to be set on our heavenly home, and our time with You, we humbly come before You today asking for forgiveness for our misguided thoughts and worries. We realize that all these things do is to distract us in our walk with You and our witness of You. For when we become solid in our faith and demonstrate it in our walk with You, we will influence those who follow in our steps. Lord I pray that You will do an awesome work in my life and in the lives of my readers, so that we might become healthy Christians focused on the ‘main thing’ – our heavenly home. I further pray that this new focus will have such an impact on us, that the unsaved will desire a close and intimate walk with You. I humbly ask these things in the strong, mighty and holy name of Jesus – your Son, and my Redeemer, AMEN!

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

A Warning From God

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

Monday, 2020-01-27

Bible Reference: 2 Kings 17:13
Translation: The Voice (VOICE)

Bible Text: 13 The Eternal One gave fair warning to Israel and Judah. He gave His warning through the mouths of prophets and seers throughout the land: “Abandon your wickedness, and obey My commands and laws which I gave to your ancestors through the mouths of My servants, the prophets.”

OBSERVATION: How seriously do we take warnings from almighty God? Do we feel like He knows what He’s talking about? Do we believe Him? Do we do anything about His warnings? The Israelites paid no attention to God and His warnings, and in verse 18 we are told that He removed them from His sight. Meditate with me on this Scripture today. This should make a difference in what we plan to do today, and throughout the year.

APPLICATION: On New Years Eve at the grand party, where Time Square was filled with over a million people, what if someone stood before that crowd, instead of the next planned entertainer, and announced that the city of New York would be totally destroyed by March 31st, do you suppose that some might leave the square right then and begin packing their belongings so they could move out of the state before the March 31st deadline? In the southern states of the US, a large percentage of individuals take seriously the warnings each year about approaching hurricanes, and they either move out temporarily, or they purchase protection and supplies to help them survive the approaching hurricanes. Of course some do nothing for they feel they are invincible and that nothing will destroy their ‘fort’ (their home). At least weekly, many pastors will stand in pulpits, or on street corners, and they will warn parishioners about the soon return of Jesus Christ to collect His church. Some will listen to what God is telling them through the awkwardness of preaching, while some will simply consider such warnings only apply to their wicked neighbor, or the person sitting next to them at church. Friends, it is clear to see from the Word of God, that Jesus was born miraculously for one intended purpose – to show the world (you and I) how much God loves us. For God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, so that any, and all, who believe on Him, will enjoy life eternally with Him in heaven one day (John 3:16). Now you will notice that there is a condition to spending eternity in Heaven with Jesus, just like there was a condition given to the Israelites. In other words, there is an action for you to take, just like there was a condition for our ancestors. But here’s the warning, dear ones: If we believe, then we will reap the reward promised to us by God. But what about those who reject the warnings from God? Unfortunately, there are two destinations: For those who believe on the name of Jesus – Heaven. For those who do not believe on the name of Jesus – Hell. We are smart people, and we know exactly what each destination brings to the table for us. Please let me encourage all who will read this devotional, that you listen to the warnings and accept Jesus as your Savior, for I have done this, and I’m looking forward to meeting my Savior in Heaven one day. My greatest desire is that all my family and friends will be by my side, at the feet of Jesus, on that day that He calls us away from this wicked world. If you have not already heeded to God’s warnings, please let me encourage you to speak with a Bible teaching pastor or read my Footnote to gain the help needed. This warning is way more important than any other warning from government leaders or other earthly sources. Do it today dear friend, please?

PRAYER: Lord, You’ve put the rules and requirements in place, then You’ve gone on to put warnings in place for us to follow those rules. Thank You Heavenly Father! Please prompt us now to surrender our lives totally over to You, heed to Your warnings, follow Your example, and encourage one another on towards good works while anticipating Your soon return. We really want to be with You dear Lord. Please help us to live like men and women who love and serve the Lord, waiting for our greatest reward! Be glorified in us today oh Lord! AMEN!

Desire Things At Your Destination

On By Ed AlgreenIn God's Glory, HeavenLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Colossians 3:1-4 (AMP)

TEXT:  1 Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. 3 For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory

OBSERVATION:   Paul spoke God’s wisdom to the followers at Colossae, because he saw that they were struggling to stay on track for the Lord. God showed Paul how wrapped up they were getting in the world, and how the heart follows the eyes and mind of a person. For those that Paul felt were impacted by the gospel, and surrendered themselves to the God of this universe, he encouraged them to keep their minds fixed on what lies ahead for them, and not on the temporary things of this world. Aren’t we the same way today?

APPLICATION:   I was born and raised in the Bahamas, and although I have lived in the United States for over 30 years, there are times that my wife cooks Bahamian recipes and we reflect back on the fays of our growing up in the Bahamas. If we plan a trip to visit back home, we begin thinking of what local dishes we will look for while we’re there, who we will attempt to visit, and where we might want to visit (landmarks)! Friends, for those of you that invited Jesus to be Lord of your life, you know that you are destined for heaven. What are you anxious for? When you set your minds like Paul taught, I believe that you will start living like God wants you to here on this earth. Furthermore, just like I’ve share with friends how beautiful the Bahamas is, I should also be telling them about how beautiful heaven is to me, and how much I am looking forward to my residence there with my Creator. We know quite a bit about our eternal home, for in Revelation the Bible says: ‘…the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him. — Revelation 22:3.  It also says: I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands. — Revelation 5:11. We are reminded that we will have new bodies; there will be no crying there; no sickness there; And that there will be no clock watching there for we will praise our Savior forever and forever! So why do we let so many things worry us here on this earth, friends? These are all temporary! We know that we will die, so if you want nothing to do with my Jesus, may I suggest that you think really seriously about what your future will be like before your eyes are closed in death? The only alternative to what I described above is eternal damnation – worse than anything you’ve ever witnessed here on earth. You would terribly disappoint me friend, for I share this blog everyday with hopes that each one who reads it, might catch a glimpse of Jesus, and would come to accept Him as Lord of their life. Please consider this carefully today, don’t delete it as you would do a pesty email.

PRAYER:   Lord Jesus, only You know the heart of each person that will be reminded of Paul’s plea, and my wish today. I believe that You have a plan for each of us, but I pray that You would tender hardened hearts today. Please draw men unto yourself – my great friends who will read this blog today, both men, women and children. Thank You for preparing a home for us to celebrate with You throughout eternity. ‘Oh I want to see You, look upon Your face, there to sing forever, of Your saving grace, on the streets of glory let me lift my voice, Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice!’. As you sing that chorus, prepare your mind for heaven! It is out of this world!! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’.  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Sebring, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

 

A Glorious Life – Promised By God!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Evangelism, ForgivenessLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (The New Living Translation – Titus 1:1-2): 1 ….I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. 2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.

THOUGHTS: In this Bible translation, it appears like these verses place emphasis on the importance of us (I) proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to an unsaved world. However, while that may be a real expectation of each of us, the first person used in verse 1 is actually Paul sharing with Titus about what he felt God had impressed upon his heart. But friends, in support of other similar scriptural references, I really want us to read this verse in the first person, for it is our responsibility to share the extremely Good News that is ours, with all those that we care about. In fact, what kind of a dad would not share such great news with his children? What kind of a friend would hold back telling his friends about the joy that is his in belonging to the King of all kings, Jesus Christ? Imagine, a truth that not only leads a person to Jesus Christ, but also gives the hearer confidence of everlasting life with Him in heaven! This is glorious news friend! However, it is only valuable to our loved ones, if we take our roles seriously and tell them how it’s available to even them, and that through acceptance of God’s love (Jesus) they would not just become a Christian, but they have the promise of eternal life with our Heavenly Father! To the friend who feels like this was just happen-chance that you found this devotional, may I disagree with you please? You see, John 3:16 tells us that God loves us so much that He sent a Son into the world so that ALL who believe on Him might be saved, and have eternal life! This includes you Brother! This verse was intended just for you Sister! God sent His precious Son to die at Calvary to forgive sinners, and would have done that even if it was just for you alone! Scripture tells us that God would prefer that none of His creation is excluded, so He sent His Son as a sacrifice, to facilitate the forgiveness of our sin. Our responsibility is to accept that gift! Are you willing to accept that Gift today? Simply Accept Jesus as Lord and Believe on Him for all things, including everlasting life; and Confess your sin to Him and ask His forgiveness. You will baste in His glory, live a glorious life rejoicing and worshipping Him, and enjoy sharing His love with all you know! Friends, Our God is an Awesome God, and I love and adore Him! I trust that you will do the same! I have included guidance for you in the ‘Footnote’, should you want additional help in understanding more about God, or just prefer chatting with someone about the decision you just made. Friend, God loves you, and so do I!

PRAYER: Lord God, there is so much going on in this old world today, that folk are desperately looking for the hope You promised to them from the very beginning of time. I sincerely pray for any that You might direct to this devotional, that they might recognize that truth and accept it personally, so that You may begin a great work within them! Thank You again for the tremendous sacrifice You made so that we might ultimately live forever with You in Heaven! While I look towards that day in great expectation, I also pray that You will be my guide, my strength, my encouragement and my Lord, each and every day, so that I might not only be encouraged to serve You wholeheartedly here below, but that I might be filled with Your grace and a bold faith that will enable me to share Jesus with all that I come into contact with. Please touch Your people today dear Lord, for this world needs You so badly. I ask all these things in the precious, and all powerful name of Jesus, the One sacrificed for the redemption of my sin, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!