Tag: Hope

The Amazing Love and Forgiveness of God!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Forgiveness, LoveLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (The Contemporary English Version – Jeremiah 48:42, 46-47): 42 You are finished as a nation, because you dared oppose me, the Lord.

46 People of Moab, you worshiped Chemosh, your god, but now you are done for, and your children are prisoners in a foreign country. 47 Yet someday, I will bring your people back home. I, the Lord, have spoken.

THOUGHTS: As I studied this chapter in Jeremiah I gleamed how upset God was at the people of Moab. In fact, He was legitimately upset over the blatant sin by this people, and total disregard for Him. I believe this climaxed in verse 42 when God basically wrote the Moabites off as a nation, for He told them that they were finished. What frightens me about this is that no matter which country you might be reading this devotional from today, you are well aware of the blatant disregard for God anymore. In fact, it seems like the scales have totally tilted towards Satan and his group of worldly warriors who are bound and determined to rid our world of anything Godly. Further, to save our jobs and protect our families, many of us have given in to many of Satan’s compromises, and therefore weakened the army of God even more. I wonder how much longer God will put up with this! In verse 32 of this chapter, God shared how he wept for the people in disappointment for their obstinate attitudes, ways, decisions and disregard for the God who loved and protected them over the years, and had their best interest at heart. I was totally humbled by this, because folk, we are quick to whine and complain and find fault, but when last have you been so concerned for your country that you actually laid out prostrate before God and wept over decisions that are being made by your country that will impact the practice of our faith? However, the highlight of this study comes in verse 47 where God basically told these people that in spite of all that you have done to upset me, one day I will bring you back home, and I could only imagine that this would also mean that He would accept their personal plea for forgiveness. Friends, we serve such an awesome, loving, forgiving God! I pray that as you read this devotional today, that you will reaffirm your faith in God. I pray that if God led you to read this devotional, and you do not have a personal relationship with Him, that this might be a day of decision for you. God’s army is the only winning proposition available to us friend! If you are not a part of that army, you are automatically on Satan’s team that leads to Hell and total damnation. You do have a choice though, while there is breath. Please read my Footnote for the ways and means of you suring up your life decision. I know you won’t regret it!

PRAYER: Father I am reminded again that our ways are not Your ways, for You are filled with compassion, love and forgiveness for Your children, even though we so easily cave in to pressure and selfish desires. Please forgive us Lord, and please continue to teach us Your ways. Please give us a deep desire to know more about You and to willingly concede to allowing You to love on us, protect us, guide us and stand firm in our faith. Thank You for Your willingness to forgive even me, a sinner saved only by Your wonderful grace. Please touch the hearts of my readers today. Let no one read this without a self-examination and rededication to a rich relationship with You. I humble ask this in the powerful and matchless name of Jesus, my Lord, 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!

A Hope That Is Ours!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Anchor, HopeLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (New Century Version – Hebrews 6:18-19): 18 These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he makes a promise, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. These things encourage us who came to God for safety. They give us strength to hold on to the hope we have been given. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong.

THOUGHTS: In our busy, fast paced and often greedy/selfish environment that most of us find ourselves in today, it is very easy to mistrust folk, as we never know if they are looking out for our best interest or that of themselves. In the preceding verses to our passage today, we are reminded of the promise that God made to Abraham, and although the promise was not immediately revealed, through the faith, trust and steadfast hope of Abraham, he was able to witness the hand of God in revealing the answer to the promise given to multiply the earth, even at his old age. With that promise, and its fulfilling in the backdrop, we are told that we can depend on the promises of God, because by His very divine nature, He cannot lie. So when we place our faith in God and in His promises, it’s not like the kind of faith that one would have when they purchase a lottery ticket, it’s a sure thing. Friends God has made many promises to us in His Word. If you believe in Him and trust His Word, then you too have the strength to hold on to the hope given to you, and it’s as strong as an anchor that will prevent you from drifting or crashing into the hopelessness of a dark night where worldly obstacles might otherwise obstruct your path and/or the currents of this sinful life might steer you away from the truth of God’s Word. This is a sure thing friends! It is reserved for those who know Jesus as Lord and have learned to trust wholeheartedly in Him. Do you know Him? If not may I recommend that you read my Footnote carefully, as it contains help and direction for you to resolve this problem? Perhaps you know Jesus, but not sure if you have the faith that it takes to trust Him completely with His promises. Please be reminded that God never changes. Just as He came through on His promise to Abraham, He will also come through on His promises to us. Since He never changes, this means that you must beg Him to work on you so that you might become more trusting in the One who gave His very life so that you might have life more abundantly. Stay closely attuned to Jesus, friend, and trust in His Word today, won’t you?

PRAYER: Father, You are more wonderful than anything we could imagine. You are more trustworthy than anything we can comprehend, especially in our world of mistrust one for another, where ulterior motives seem to be the norm. Thank You for making Your promises so evident to us in Your Word. Unfortunately we have developed such mistrust in everything and everyone that it becomes challenging for us to totally place our faith in You and Your promises. Please touch the hearts of Your children today with a reminder that You are still God, still in control, will never lie to us and will live by Your many promises to us. Please help us to do our part in being true to You so that our faith might be strengthened, renewed and cause us to never doubt You. Thank You for being my Savior and Lord! Thank You for loving Your children enough to promise us hope and life beyond anything we can imagine. I praise and honor You with a heart of thanksgiving today. Please impress upon the hearts of Your children reading this devotional how important it is that each of us draw closer to You, so that You might reveal Yourself to us. I ask all this in the precious name of Jesus, 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!

We Have An Advocate

On By Ed AlgreenIn Faith, Surrender, UnderstandingLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (New Century Version – Hebrews 4:14-16): 14 Since we have a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God, who has gone into heaven, let us hold on to the faith we have. 15 For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. 16 Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it.

THOUGHTS: Often we find it difficult talking with someone who we suspect cannot identify with what concerns us. Let me illustrate: unless a person went through a period of poverty, it would be mighty challenging for them to understand our concerns about not having enough money to meet all of the bills, or not able to go to certain doctors because we can’t afford the general examination fee, much less any other fees that might accrue during our visit. Because we face these kinds of challenges here on earth, it sometimes gives us a complex in dealing with the Lord Jesus Christ. However, these verses this morning are a breath of fresh air, as it reminds us that Jesus lived here on this earth and faced the same challenges that we now face and He did it without sinning. Therefore, as we go to the Father in prayer, we can rest assured that we are communicating with someone who knows all about the challenges that we face, so we can talk freely with Him expecting Him to not only understand, but to help us through our situation. Friends, I am excited and filled with hope that I have an advocate who knows and understands all that I face every day. He longs to hear from me so that He might receive permission to shower His help upon me. He loves me more than I love myself, so I am convinced that He has my best interest at heart. I pray that you will gain this kind of confidence in Jesus Christ even today, friend. He loves you and He wants to be your advocate before our Father. Won’t you consider letting Him in today?

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for loving us enough to send us Your very own Son Jesus. Thank You for allowing Him to live on this earth and experience all of what we encounter each day. But most of all, thank You for bringing Him back to Your side to be our advocate. I am reminded of our Guardian Ad Litem program where children who are abused, neglected and abandoned receive the protection of a Guardian who looks out for their best interest. Thank You Lord Jesus for loving us and looking out for our best interest. Thank You for understanding our needs and our peculiarities. Lord, may we therefore trust our lives into Your hands so that You may mold us to be more like You; protect us from the evil one; and lead us to a path of righteousness, for Your name’s sake? I want to be just like You Lord, please lead me and show me the path to achieve that goal. Soften the hearts of the hardened today so that they may surrender to the only One who truly knows all about their needs and concerns. For I ask this in faith, and in the wonderful name of Jesus, my Lord, 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!

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!

A Warning To Those Who Have Much

On By Ed AlgreenIn Blessings, Generosity, GivingLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (Good News Translation – 1 Timothy 6:17-19): 17 Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share with others. 19In this way they will store up for themselves a treasure which will be a solid foundation for the future. And then they will be able to win the life which is true life.

THOUGHTS: Way too often we attribute ‘riches’ to mean those who are rich financially, and yes I agree that this could very easily apply to them. But I believe that deep within the meaning of this we must be careful to never lose sight of everything that God has truly blessed us with! We must also be very careful to not get satisfied in our blessings, because that becomes challenging to appreciate what another person might be going through. For example, one might be crying out for help in dealing with family issues, but if we are content and ‘rich’ in peace in our family, it might be hard to identify with the need. I believe the point that God is relaying to us through Paul is that we must learn to put our faith in the Giver of all good things and not in the riches we feel secure in, for it is God who gives the gifts/riches to us. Let’s remember that everything we are blessed with comes from the generosity of the gracious hand of God. He blesses us with such gifts to enable us to help others. I believe that a kind heart and a generous hand is demanded of all God’s children, for this is what Jesus exampled for us to follow. It is not sinful to be rich, and it is not godly to be poor. Some are blessed with resources that could serve well in the ongoing ministry of the church. Often with these resources comes the temptation to misuse them, for some will demand leadership in the church, or a major say in where the finances must be used. There is nothing biblical about that kind of giving friends, so be careful to always give from a heart of love to the work of Christ in and through His local church – your church. If you have been diligent in electing church officials according to God’s design, then the funds will be properly allocated and used for His glory, not yours. The joy of the giving Christian comes from the treasure they are laying up in heaven through obeying God and investing their gifts – monetarily or plain life-talents here on earth for the glory of God. I believe that the take-away on this scripture today, is that we give of ourselves and our resources generously, just as God generously gave to us at Calvary, and through all that He blesses us with daily here on this earth. The Bible gives us guidelines on the minimum amount we should give financially, but it also teaches us to give from the generosity of which we have been blessed. Is that truly measurable? Just learn to give friend, and then watch the blessings of God that is out-poured on you! You just can’t out-give God!

PRAYER: To the Giver of all life and all good and perfect gifts, Jesus my Lord, thank You for Your generosity in all that You have blessed me with. So undeserving, yet You loved me beyond all measure. I am rich in Your awesome blessings, way beyond anything I deserve. Thank You! I pray that You might open my heart and my mind to the riches that I have yet to share with others. Lord, I want to show Your goodness so that You may be lifted up, and recognized as the loving, tenderhearted and understanding God that You are. Please lead me and guide me to do better at this. My friends who will read this devotional might also be faced with similar challenges, please speak very boldly to them as they meditate on Your Word and cause them to know the path You would have them travel today, and the attitudes necessary to allow others to know that You are God, yet working through mere humans that love and serve You. Father God, may I ask that You continue to pour Your riches on our lives, but also ask that You give us renewed hearts so that we may pass those riches on to others – many of whom need an urgent touch from You today. In appreciation for all You have done, and will continue to do, I bring these petitions before You, in thanksgiving, and through Your precious Son, Jesus, 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!

Your Source of Help for 2015

On By Ed AlgreenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Holy Bible (The Voice – Ephesians 6:10-13): ….. Draw your strength and might from God. 11 Put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes. 12 We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places.13 And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground.

Thoughts: As we enter into this brand new year, I must begin with bragging on the awesome God that I serve. Against all odds, He kept me on track with intentionally and consistently reading His Word in 2014 and even providing me the thoughts to share with you in my blogs. While I pray that many of you were touched in some way by being drawn to the Word of God through my blogs, I can brag about the blessings I received each day in meditating on the Word, and in allowing God to orchestrate the thoughts and words for the blog through three surgeries, vacations out of the country and through very early risings each day to ensure that it was just God and I while I studied. Praise God for all He has done! To begin the praises for 2015, I believe that there is no better preparation for us than to face this year being reminded of where our strength and guidance will come from. God knew this long before I could have thought about this, so He predetermined that my scheduled readings would bring me exactly to the verses highlighted today! Wow! Friends, God is instructing us to be solely dependent on Him, to the extent that we should plant ourselves inside of Him and allow His sweet Holy Spirit to: protect us when we’re troubled; strengthen us when we feel weak from the stresses of this world; encourage us when we feel like we just can’t go on any longer; love us when we feel so alone and isolated from the worldly battles of Satan all around us; and to give us ongoing hope knowing that He’s still on the throne, and has a place prepared for us to be with Him, when life as we know it today, is over. But friends, this hope is of no value to us, and will not benefit us when we take our eyes off the prize, off the Master and instead allow the worldly pleasures of this world, driven by Satan, to take precedence in our lives. May I encourage you to start this brand new year with a brand new commitment to invite God into your life and allow Him to rule and reign in and through you? May I encourage you to do your part by committing to put on the armor of His Word every day – remember, that’s what draws you closer to God; helps you better understand what He wants you to do, and gives you the strength and guidance to be strong in the Lord and in His awesome might!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in glorifying You for all that You did for me in 2014, I am reassured, comforted and yet challenged to keep You in the forefront of my life in 2015, so that I might depend on You as my guide, my strength and my deliverer. Please teach me to better seek You in all decisions and in all things, and to have unwavering faith so that I might quickly and daily call on You with my health, job, marriage, parenting, church responsibilities and in my daily walk with You. You are my Rock, my Deliverer, my Salvation, my Guide and my Protector – thank You dear Jesus for such reassurance and peace! I ask all this in the name of, and place my faith believing in, You dear Jesus, 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!

The Most Intimate part of our Life!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christian, Christmas, LoveLeave a comment

The Holy Bible

29 Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

30 Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. 31–32Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

(Bible Translation and Location: The Message – Ephesians 4:29-32)

Thoughts:

No doubt Paul was facing challenges at the churches he was ministering at much like we experience today. However, what was made abundantly clear to me this morning as I read these verses is that we not only hurt our Brothers and Sisters by the things we say and do, but the Holy Spirit is very hurt by our harsh words and our unloving actions. The reason I believe that the Holy Spirit is grieved and disappointed in us, is that God the Father sacrificed His one and only Son in order that we might have a new life in Him, one that is free from the filth and dirt of a world stained by Satan. It just crushes the heart of my Savior when, from all appearances, we have disregarded this precious gift of God, and still continue to live like the devil. Worse still, God expects this type behavior out of those who know no better, because they don’t know Him nor His expectation for their life. However, the real disappointment comes when a person says ‘yes’ to Jesus and then continue on with their old lifestyle. It’s like saying to God, this is my life and I will live it as I please. Friends, as children of God, we not only have His assurance of being always present in us and with us through every circumstance in life, but we are also endowed with:

  • His love – to love others in the same way that He first loved us;
  • His power – to overcome the Evil one and all the distractions and attractions of this world;
  • His humility – to love even the person that may have hurt us or tried to humiliate us; and
  • His understanding – that opens our eyes to right vs wrong; love vs hatred; peace vs war/envy/strife.

Friends, I believe it is suffice to say that with God’s Holy Spirit residing inside of us, there is nothing that we can’t overcome and nothing that prevents us from showing the love of Christ to all that we come into contact with. We celebrate Christmas because of the precious gift given to us through the Lord Jesus, so that we might be overcomers; children of God and one with Him. Let’s choose to die to our old selves and allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with His qualities, so that we may represent Him before a lost and dying world, won’t you?

Prayer:

Lord, You gave us the greatest gift possible when You sent Your Son as a child in Bethlehem. For at that time You purposed in Your heart that Jesus would be our SAVIOR. You did this in spite of our sin, our unworthiness and our nature. It was mere love for a race that You created to love, honor and worship You, however a race but still chose to do otherwise. With this type love as a backdrop in our lives, please help us to always strive towards imitating that type love. Your ultimate love was shown on the cross, where You allowed the ugliness of sin and darkness to win, so that Your life might be sacrificed for mankind. Please help us to sacrifice all that we feel is important to us, and instead allow Your love to envelope us and express itself through us, so that others will see Jesus in us and want to know Him personally! Jesus, thank You for coming to earth, so that we may one day come to heaven to live with You forever! I love You Lord, and I ask all these things believing in You, 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!

Know Jesus, Know Peace Forevermore

On By Ed AlgreenIn ChristmasLeave a comment

The Holy Bible

6 A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, “Wonderful Counsellor”, “Mighty God”, “Eternal Father”, “Prince of Peace”. His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace. He will rule as King David’s successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The Lord Almighty is determined to do all this.

(Bible Translation and Location: Good News Translation – Isaiah 9:6-7)

Thoughts:

There is no coincidence in my reading plan taking me precisely to this passage on Christmas Eve! For I believe that although the story is told over and over each year, we should never tire of hearing the Good News of our Savior’s birth, for it reminds us that there was a long term reason for His birth and that it would not just impact the lives of the Jews and Gentiles spoken to in the days that the Bible was written, but this news is still very applicable to us today. You see, much like the Jews and Gentiles, where they were not sure how much more they could handle from the society in which they lived, so it is with us today when we stop and ponder over the atrocities of our day. Isaiah, through his prophesies, told his people that there was light at the end of the tunnel, for a Son would be born who would free them from their bondage. God, through His written Word is also reminding us, friends, that there is Light for us also, there is eternal peace, love and hope for those who would accept this same Jesus, of whom Isaiah spoke, as our Lord and Savior. Allow me to share a few words from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on this passage: This Child was born for the benefit of us men, of us sinners, of all believers, from the beginning to the end of the world. Justly is he called Wonderful, for he is both God and man. His love is the wonder of angels and glorified saints. He is the Counsellor, for he knew the counsels of God from eternity; and he gives counsel to men, in which he consults our welfare. He is the Wonderful Counsellor; none teaches like him. He is God, the mighty One. Such is the work of the Mediator, that no less power than that of the mighty God could bring it to pass. He is God, one with the Father. As the Prince of Peace, he reconciles us to God; he is the Giver of peace in the heart and conscience; and when his kingdom is fully established, men shall learn war no more. The government shall be upon him; he shall bear the burden of it. Glorious things are spoken of Christ’s government. There is no end to the increase of its peace, for the happiness of its subjects shall last for ever.
I pray that our celebration of ‘Christmas’ this year will bring a fresh new meaning to the Peace, Love and Hope that is ours who belong to Jesus. He has offered this to all who would believe in Him, per John 3:16. For those who are in for the gifts this Christmas, I pray that you would accept the true gift of Christmas and surrender your life to His control from this Christmas forward! Know Jesus, and Know Peace for evermore friend!

Prayer:

Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank You for opening Your kingdom to humble, undeserving man! As we celebrate Your birth this Christmas, please make us keenly aware of Your life, death and resurrection so that we may truly be made aware of Your purpose for coming to this earth. Probably worse than the Jews and Gentiles ever imagined back in the day of Isaiah, we need You even more today. Satan is rampant in our world and there are very evil things occurring all around us. You have promised in your Word that You will come back and collect Your own. Come Lord Jesus, even today come Lord Jesus! May we truly concentrate on the ‘Christ‘ in CHRISTmas tomorrow and not the ‘Material things that Always Spoil’ as in christMAS! I love You Lord and pledge to worship only You this Christmas! My requests are presented in the only name worthy of praise, Jesus my King, 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!

No Substitute For Faith

On By Ed AlgreenIn Faith, Grace, WorksLeave a comment

The Holy Bible

4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. 5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. 6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

(Bible Translation and Location: New Living Translation – Galatians 5:4-6)

Thoughts:

Paul found a real challenge among his people where, although the people/his churches accepted his preaching, understood it and followed in accepting Jesus as Lord, yet it was challenging for them to accept this gift of grace without the need and/or support of their old religious practices, such as circumcision. Do we find that happening today in our churches? The challenge I see today friends, is that way too often we become so ‘religious’ or ‘church attendance’ minded, that we lose sight of what God truly did for us at Calvary. In fact, we have so many programs going on at our churches that folk could come in and join us in worship services, then follow into any number of other studies or groups, and before you know it they will be considered ‘one of us’. I’m afraid that folk can easily convince themselves that they are a Christian, because they follow so much of the traditional church programs and practices. In fact, I believe that our very own kids – growing up in a Christian home, attending regular and frequent church services and/or activities, could very well feel like they too are a Christian, without ever encountering Christ through a personal decision and an ongoing relationship with Him. Paul emphasized that anytime we take our eyes off Jesus, and/or co-dependent on anything additional, then essentially our faith in God becomes suspect. Unless we leave this study less than encouraged, I must quickly tell you that I am a strong advocate of the local church. However, if you attend church all of your life and never surrender your life to Jesus Christ and accepted Him as Your Lord and Savior, then your lifetime of church attendance is in vain, because you are destined for eternal damnation in Hell. God has relayed this through His Word very clearly. There is only one way that leads to eternity with Christ. If you are not clear on the time period and place where you made this commitment, then I would encourage you to follow the direction offered in my footnote. I am praying for someone to make this decision today – before it is eternally too late.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I thank You for saving my soul back in 1976. As folk meditate on this devotional today, I pray that they will be prompted by Your Holy Spirit to make any necessary decisions to insure that their lives are in order, should You call them home today. Thank You for making the way available to us! Now my prayer is that no one will ignore the prompting of Your Holy Spirit as You minister to them today. May all the angels in heaven have reason to rejoice today over the one that might make a commitment to follow You, is my humble plea that I ask in the name of Jesus, my Lord, 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!

Brighter Days Ahead!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Hope, HumilityLeave a comment

The Holy Bible

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

(Bible Translation and Location: The Message – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Thoughts:

Ever notice how you might visit a person laden with pain and discouragement, so much that they can barely move, but when they see you for the first time in a very long time, how they don’t notice the pain and they are ready to go wherever you take them? They quickly become very refreshed in their mind? I believe it is very easy for us to get in that rut also, because we tend to lose hope and the joy that once filled us, especially if we are not humanly seeing results. Paul had a similar experience in ministering to the church in Corinth. For with the bare eye, one may have looked at Paul and quickly agreed that they would stay far enough away from whatever he was proposing to them, because it only got him beatings, imprisonments and hardships. However, to the Christian who witnessed the joy, inward excitement, boldness and peace that exuded from this man of God, I believe that they would deeply desire a similar walk to that of Paul. In these verses, Paul is warning the church that we need to look beyond what might bless us today, and focus on the far-reaching effects of the gospel being proclaimed. You see, our hearts should overflow today when we do the Master’s work, especially when we do it in earnest for the Master’s sake and His glory alone. It is hypocrisy to promote self when attempting to teach and/or preach and/or witness, for without Christ we are nothing. It is His grace that saved us, His love that sustains us, and His promise to welcome us home in glory that center our hearts on Him, in anticipation of our glorious reunion with Him! I’m afraid that when we get discouraged, it may very well be ‘self’ that is not being satisfied. Let us always remember that our Christian work here on earth is to bring glory to God. When an earthly war is over, it is the country who sent the soldiers into battle that wins, not the soldier who fired the last shot. Many earthly soldiers will gladly place their life on the line for their country, are you and I willing to do the same for the battle we fight against Satan? Let’s learn to allow God to use us in His service for His glory, rather than us mentioning God’s name while promoting self. There is a hope friend! Let is rejoice in that hope as we present the gospel through our words and actions each day, knowing that one day soon we will be with the Master in all His glory!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, Savior of this world, please help me to keep myself in proper proportion to the One in whom I represent and witness to others about. Like Paul, I too must stay focused on who I’m working for and who will receive the glory from anyone touched by Your message. Lord, I am convinced that as I see glory going up to You by folk, there is little value in what I may have contributed to that, because I am merely Your messenger obeying Your commands. My desire is that I may be obedient to what You require of me. I am merely an instrument in Your hand to accomplish Your work with those who need You. You have strategically placed me here, with all of the experiences I have encountered, so that others who need You might identify with You through my earthly experiences. Thank You for choosing me to be Your child and Your servant. May Your Holy Spirit continue to use me – my talents, my experience and my hope, is my humble prayer this morning. Lord, may Christians that meditate on this devotional identify with what I have shared and grow stronger in their relationship with You. May the lost that You direct to this devotional find hope in the mighty works that You do, knowing that they too can become Your child, when they accept You as Lord and Savior of their life. I ask all this in the precious and all powerful name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, 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!