Tag: Jesus

Expectations of Church Leaders

On By Ed AlgreenIn Elders, Expectations, Leadership2 Comments

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 5:2–4
Today’s Bible Text: Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money. Don’t be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them. Then when Christ the Chief Shepherd returns, you will be given a crown that will never lose its glory.
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take Away: We tend to expect a lot out of our pastors. In fact, we tend to think that they are invincible and not subject to the same sin and temptations that we encounter daily. Some translations tend to see this section of scripture addressed to elders, while some use more general terms of church leaders. I am not here to clarify either of these, but rather to remind us that if we hold a place of leadership in God’s church, then we have a responsibility to watch over those we lead with the same love and care that God has for us. We should not be in a place of leadership unless from a heart of love for the Lord and for His local church. We should have within us the desire to see the work of the Lord flourish for His glory, therefore our work should be done unselfishly and because we want to work for our master, not because of anything that we might personally gain from the position that we might hold. Most people learn better from what they are shown than from what they are told, therefore Peter warns that leaders are to lead by example rather than trying to throw around your authority. The super great news is that regardless whether we are ignored for our efforts in the work of the church here on earth, all we do for Jesus will be recognized by Him when we see Him face to face one day. In fact, Peter suggested that we would gain a crown that will never lose its glory! I could only imagine the smile on my Savior’s face as He welcomes me home and thanks me for returning the favor for what He did for me on Calvary, by all that I attempted to do to promote His kingdom while here on earth! Oh that will be, glory for me! Are you looking forward to this also friend?

Prayer: Lord we work hard around our churches and sometimes we get discouraged because we feel unappreciated by church leaders and/or members. Thank You for using Your servant Peter to show us that our expectations are unimportant here on earth, for our efforts should always be directed towards pleasing the only One that we serve, our Lord and Savior! In fact I believe that most often when we expect glory here on earth, it could easily mean that we may not necessarily be doing kingdom work. May we be found faithful in all that we do for Your ultimate glory. May You be lifted higher when others recognize a benefit from our efforts here below. I ask these things in the name of the Lord that I adore, the Lord that I seek to please by all that I do here below, 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. 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org 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 Highlands County, 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!

2016

Being Refined For The Glory Of God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Changed, Evidence of Faith, Persecution, Share God’s Word2 Comments

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? You may be going through times of spiritual refining so that you may be drawn closer to the Lord, or brought back on track in being more like Him. Read more and be blessed!

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 4:12–14
Today’s Bible Text: Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others.
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: I found it intriguing how God covers all of life’s possible issues or scenarios in His Word. I believe that He truly intended for us to know that His Word is our central reference point in life. It’s our ‘everything’ manual! Throughout God’s Word we read where God’s people were picked on and often killed because of their stand for the Lord, and while I realize that most of us meditating on this devotional today may never have experienced persecution for the sake of the gospel, I do believe that it still goes on in our world today. I don’t believe that Peter is suggesting that we go off looking for trouble, in order to prove anything about our Christian stance, but I believe that God is getting it across to us that His very Son went through persecution, and if we are seriously trying to imitate Him here on earth, then we should expect the same treatment that He received. However, He wanted us to know that when this happens to us, it will serve to refine us, or strengthen our will to serve God with even greater determination, or remind us of why we are serving our great, big, wonderful God! The refining process always hurts, but the glory at the end of the journey is worth it all! May I suggest that you look at indicators of refining, as encouragement in knowing that God’s not finished with you yet, but that He is still very actively involved in growing and maturing you in His service, for His ultimate glory!

Prayer: Father, it almost sounds crazy that we would rejoice when we feel picked on or abused for our Christian work, but I also believe that it would seem even more crazy if we were not seeing some reaction to Your work that we do. After all, no reaction would often indicate that our work, or even our words, are not a whole lot different to what people hear every day in their jobs or even on the street. I strongly believe that if we dedicate ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, and stand up for we believe He is leading us towards saying and doing, then that will be totally strange to a lost person. Christians, please don’t take that as a bad thing, for why would an unsaved person want to hear from us if we are no different to what they hear from their unsaved buddies? Please dear God, make us more like You, even if it makes us totally different to those we may be called upon to share Your Word with. We want them to see Jesus, and for them to be impacted by Your love that was expressed so vividly throughout Your Word. We need You heavenly Father, please bless us as we go our way today! 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. 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org 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 Highlands County, 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!

2016

Use God-Given Gifts for His Glory!

On By Ed AlgreenIn gifts, God's Glory, HonorLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 4:10–11
Today’s Bible Text: Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. If you have the gift of speaking, preach God’s message. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies. Everything should be done in a way that will bring honor to God because of Jesus Christ, who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen.
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take Away: I thought this was awesome to be reminded that we are all gifted. So often we hear folk say that they admire a certain individual because of their wonderful gifts, and that they wish that they were as gifted. Friends according to this scripture we are calling God a liar when we say such things. I wonder if just like everything else in life, perhaps we are constantly wishing that we had something different. You see, I believe that God knew exactly what He was doing when He gifted each of us, so I am reminded that whenever I am tempted to say such a thing, I must be careful because I am really saying that God messed up, and we all know that is not the case. Perhaps the key to recognizing our God-given gift and being thankful for it, is when we stop to consider how we are using that gift to bless, or serve others. After all, of what use will a gift be to us unless we use it to bless or serve others? I can’t imagine it giving us extra credit, or something that we can store up for our own benefit at a later date! Friends we really need to get outside of our own little world of self-pity and selfishness and look at how we might bless someone else. It may be a word of encouragement at just the right time, or a timely prayer especially during a time that a friend is in dire need of a touch from God. Most often the use of our gift(s) do not involve money, because you are then looking to purchase something that will satisfy a need. Instead we should be asking God to use us as His hands extended, or His words to bless or encourage someone. Remember friends, when we use our ‘gift’, it is God who will receive the glory, so please don’t do something expecting anything in return. He gives us our gift, we use it for His glory, honor and praise. It’s all about Jesus, friend. We’re just His humble servant that He allows to represent Him here on earth. How are you doing with that?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are blessed with so much from the bounty of Your hand. Please help us to pass the blessing along by using our gifts for Your honor and Your glory. You are so worthy of receiving the praises of Your people, please allow us to continue being Your hands and feet here on earth as You bless others through everything we do or say. I ask these things in total humility, but a very thankful heart, in the name of Jesus my all sufficient 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. 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org 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 Highlands County, 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!

2016

Be Ready to Say Why….

On By Ed AlgreenIn Hope, Rewards, Speak upLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Today you will be encourage to openly share where your hope comes from. Can you do it? Read today’s devotional and seek to obey God’s Word. He will reward you for speaking up about the hope that lies within you! Recognize your blessing today and be ready to share it with someone else, friend!

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 3:15–16
Today’s Bible Text: Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope. Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear. This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ.
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take Away: The very first sentence in our scripture today is a given, but a great reminder – that we must honor our Lord Jesus, by the way we live. It should be evident whether we are living free of any restrictions, without any type of guardrails at all, or whether we have a purpose in life and that our direction for getting to our goal consists of a very narrow road with lots of guardrails to help prevent us from running into issues. We are reminded that when we live this way, others might question us about the hope and determination that we have, and where could our strength possibly be coming from to live so differently in a world that is filled with evil, crime, hatred, envy and strife. It is at this point that we should feel honored to share exactly who is incenting our actions, why did we choose to take the route we are taking, and what we know that we can expect at the end of our journey here on earth. Most of all, although we know that we will have trouble containing the excitement, we must learn to share our response with deepest respect for the one asking and in the same love that Christ first spoke to, and encourage us to redirect our lives. Friends, throughout God’s Word we are reminded that God rewards those who obey and live by His commands, but He envies those who don’t and will bring eternal damnation on them. Will you make Him proud today because you had the audacity to speak up about the hope that lies within you? Pray that I will, as I continue to lift my readers up in prayer, especially with these encouraging instructions today!

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name in all the earth, as I sing Your praises for all that You do in my life each day. Praise God that my readers and I enjoy this same blessing, because we serve the same God! As the world recognizes that very special gleam in our eye, or reactions in our demeanor, may we be quick to share with them the source of our joy, our strength and our everlasting hope. May it not be the norm today where friends get together to tear someone apart, but may we instead share the hope of eternity, and the source of our joy and hope about living a joyful life today because of the hope of tomorrow, all because of Jesus our Lord! I celebrate You, Master and Lord! May I do that in humble adoration with deepest respect for all that we come into contact with, for I ask this 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. 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org 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 Highlands County, 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!

2016

Things That Might Prevent Answers To Your Prayers

On By Ed AlgreenIn Forgiveness, Prayer, Respect, Unconditional loveLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 3:7
Today’s Bible Text: 7 You husbands must be careful of your wives, being thoughtful of their needs and honoring them as the weaker sex. Remember that you and your wife are partners in receiving God’s blessings, and if you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not get ready answers.
The Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take Away: In this instant, press-of-a-button type world that we live in today, there is little tolerance for the man praying to God without receiving a quick response. However, have you ever stopped to think why God would not be tuned in and ready to answer your prayers? Peter reminds us that God has placed husband and wife together as loving partners who are not just blessed to receive the love and care of each other, but they are also subject to receiving the blessings of God that will impact their lives in such a way that they would be a blessing to others. In fact, Peter emphasizes that this union is so important, that when they are no longer abiding by His instruction through His Word, and that a divide in spirit is obvious, that He may very well not answer their prayers that He intended to bless them both with. Let me suggest that you think of it this way: imagine that a relative sold some land and always intended to bless you and your spouse with a portion of the sale proceeds. However, before the funds are disbursed the relative learns that you and your spouse are separated because of circumstances that you can’t seem to work through. Do you suppose that the relative will reissue two checks – one to each of you, or that they will postpone the disbursement until you work through your differences? I dare say that I believe it is the latter that will probably occur. So friends, I believe that the idea that Peter is trying to teach us here, is that our ‘house’ should be in order before we go before a holy and righteous God asking Him to ignore our ‘mess’ and bless us because of His love for us. Remember, God gave of His very best for us. He sacrificed His very best for us, so that we might one day be united with Him in glory. How dare us think that we can come before Him in our filth – hatred, disunity, division, negative attitudes, and other sin. Holiness requires holiness, or at least a request for help to overcome our unrighteousness and to become holy, as He is holy. If you know Jesus as Lord, may I encourage you to clean up your act of disunity and disrespect for your spouse, before you go before God asking Him to bless anything you are doing, or to give you something from the riches of His awesome hand? If you have never accepted Jesus as Lord, may I encourage you to seek His hand of forgiveness and accept Him as Lord, Savior and Master of your life, before you ever attempt to ask Him for anything?

Prayer: Dear God, please forgive us for our littleness in thinking that You would overlook our pettiness, our sin, our unforgiveness, our deliberate disunity with our spouse and yet turn a blind eye and bless us anyway. Thank You for having Your servant Peter remind us of the importance of being holy when we approach Your holy throne of grace. It is so obvious that we need You in every aspect of our lives. It is so obvious that we need to stay so perfectly aligned with Your will, and obedient to Your commands, that You would welcome our petitions when we approach Your throne. Please forgive us for ever thinking otherwise. Please forgive our disrespect for Your holiness. Please give us boldness to seek Your help in our relationships, particularly the most important relationship you have ever blessed us with – our spouse. Thank You for demonstrating pure, unadulterated love to us. May we seek Your face as we endeavor to return that love to You and as we love our spouse. I ask these things in the precious and all-loving 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. 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org 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 Highlands County, 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!

2016

A Christ-Like Life – It Can Be Done!

On By Ed AlgreenIn For His Glory, Submission, Surrender1 Comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Jesus set a perfect example to show us that we can live perfect lives here on earth, just as He did. See what adjustments you may need to make friend….

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 2:21-24
Today’s Bible Text: This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.
He never did one thing wrong,
Not once said anything amiss.
They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back.
He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right.
He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way.
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: In the verses above you will be reminded of the type of life that Jesus exampled here on earth for us. In fact, you will see how He accomplished so much even through His suffering, so imagine how much more we should be able to accomplish in the general peace that we enjoy today. I believe the important takeaway for us today is that Jesus did these things in total obedience to His Father, and also for the glory of His Father. Imagine for a moment if today we stopped worrying about how embarrassed we would be if rejected by an unsaved person that we attempt to witness to, but instead see Jesus ultimately glorified by that person at some later point in their life, knowing that we planted seeds of Truth and godly advice! Imagine if we were to break down the barriers of prejudice, or political differences or denominationalism and instead boast on the name of the Lord and glory in His righteousness and grace. Do you suppose that the unsaved might start seeing Jesus, instead of them trying to look through our pretense and pride? Friends, it’s all about Jesus! We have nothing to gain here on earth to benefit our heavenly prize. We are to allow Jesus to work in and through us so that it would be obvious that He is the source and that He will receive the glory of His people. Let’s get off our earthy thrones and desires and work diligently on cleansing our temple where the Holy Spirit resides. With a clean heart and a right spirit, perhaps then Jesus can accomplish His work through us. He showed us in this scripture that it is possible, because He set the example for us to follow. We too can be more than conquerors with Jesus as our guide and source of inspiration. Let’s put self aside and invite Him to be Lord over all we do.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for setting such an awesome example for us, and thank You for setting the bar so high for us. We are such selfish and self-serving people, but as children of Yours, we want to follow Your example and be just like You. We know that You can do all things. Now please help us to follow Your will and allow You to govern our thoughts and our actions, so that You might receive honor and glory. As You are lifted up, You will call mankind unto Yourself. Lord that You might be glorified wholeheartedly today is my humble plea. May Your saints worship You in all that we do today, and may the lost be attracted to You because of Your call on them and because they are not distracted by our selfish actions. May they see a perfect Jesus in something that we might say or do today. To God be the glory, for the great things You will do today Lord Jesus, and if we can be used to help accomplish that work, we will glorify You forever, 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. 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org 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 Highlands County, 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!

2016

Respecting Authority

On By Ed AlgreenIn Authority, Government Leaders, Obedience, Our Character, RespectLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 2:13–17
Today’s Bible Text: 13 For the Lord’s sake, obey every law of your government: those of the king as head of the state, 14 and those of the king’s officers, for he has sent them to punish all who do wrong, and to honor those who do right. 15 It is God’s will that your good lives should silence those who foolishly condemn the Gospel without knowing what it can do for them, having never experienced its power. 16 You are free from the law, but that doesn’t mean you are free to do wrong. Live as those who are free to do only God’s will at all times. 17 Show respect for everyone. Love Christians everywhere. Fear God and honor the government.
The Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take Away: This is a very challenging topic for us today, for we have been taught to be independent thinkers; stand up for what you feel is right; speak out against things that appear to you to be wrong; no one is greater than you, so stand tall for your beliefs. Friends, do you see either of these things in the above verses today? I would dare say that God’s Word teaches pretty much just the opposite to what the world will teach you is the right thing to do. Many of us are caught up in a lot more political talk right now than we would ever care to acknowledge. We hear so much about how awful our government leaders are, and how we need to replace them with more honest politicians. Please don’t misunderstand me, I firmly believe that the Word of God teaches that we should vote, and that we should vote out dishonest politicians, but friends, we must be careful that we always live out these verses taken straight from the pages of God’s Word. Our lives should be such that even if the world felt hateful towards us, or Christianity as a whole, that they would look at our consistent behavior – that aligns with every thing we preach, and they would be silenced realizing that we are living – acting and talking, exactly what we have preached in the best of times. It is clear in God’s Word that He ordains our government leaders, and puts them in place as His representatives, for such a time as this. How dare us disrespect them, disobey them, speak badly about them and not pray for their success. If we ever lean towards such action as the latter, are we not then worse than the world in acknowledging our disillusion about the authority and will of God? We are told in these verses about how important governments are to our earthly structure, and we are told what our role is. I would encourage you to keep this foremost in your minds, and the instructions given to us in Romans 13, especially during this year for elections for many of us. We have an awesome God to serve and obey, let’s be especially careful to not afford the ways of the world to distract our obedience to our God.

Prayer: Father, we are often distracted, tempted and taunted in our Christian walk, especially through our earthly process of electing new government officials. Such an important part of our earthly walk, yet Satan uses it at every opportunity to bring out the worse in Your children. Based on the verses in today’s scripture reading, I believe You have made it clear that this is an area where Your children can be a shining example of whose we are. For how can the ungodly possibly keep a consistent, honest respect for the very authority that is often corrupt from a worldly perspective? Lord Jesus, these are times where we can shine as Your ambassadors here on earth. Please give us the boldness to do just that. May we represent You well, and may our actions and our words align as a witness to what we have claimed before You and before our church family. I ask these things knowing that my readers and I need a special touch from You to always stay committed to You and Your Word, regardless of what we may hear expressed by worldly politicians. It’s all about You Jesus – even in our views about those who lead us. May this remain evident through our very character, 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. 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org 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 Highlands County, 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!

2016

Your Walk Is Under Scrutiny

On By Ed AlgreenIn Honest, Sincere, Witness2 Comments

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 2:11–12
Today’s Bible Text: 11 Dear brothers, you are only visitors here. Since your real home is in heaven, I beg you to keep away from the evil pleasures of this world; they are not for you, for they fight against your very souls. 12 Be careful how you behave among your unsaved neighbors; for then, even if they are suspicious of you and talk against you, they will end up praising God for your good works when Christ returns.
The Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take Away: I believe there are really two things that can result from today’s scripture challenge. People that you hang around will have one of the following to say about you:

  1. You are who you say you are – This means that your life around them has proven who they thought you were, or who you claim to be. This is where they have seen proof of your Christian walk, and your talk has aligned with the Word of God. Friends, I have seen this go both ways, for there have been proclaimed Christians who have lived among friends with no distinct witness. In other words, you could not tell the difference. However there have been times where Christians have lived their claim to the gospel in front of their friends, just like they would do in front of their pastor. I believe that Peter is reminding us that we must be very careful not to be a stumbling block to those we hang around, for although they may live like the devil himself, they will not consider changing that lifestyle if they are afraid of being hypercritical like they may see in you and I. In another part of scripture we are told that we should let our yes be yes and our no be no. Don’t say that we are a child of God, but not evidence that in our character. It should be evident to those we hang around, even without walking around with a huge Bible under our arms.
  2. You are indeed a fake, just like everyone suspected – Friends, this is probably the worse thing that could happen to us. Our neighbors have seen us rushing out of our homes to go to church at the appointed times, yet they can’t get to sleep most weekends because of our loud parties. They refuse to let their kids hang around us because of our foul language. They wish everyday that they would have the opportunity to speak with your pastor, so they could really tell him who his parishioners really are. Do you suppose that you could ever witness to that neighbor and ask them to accept your Lord as their Savior?

I believe that Peter is telling us that it is best that we live in such a way, that if someone is spreading gossip about us possibly fitting the 2nd description, that there is enough evidence preceding that incident, that your non-Christian friends would speak up and try to correct the false statements about you. So where do you think that you stand friend? Do you live the life that you claim to your Christian friends? Others will watch your actions a whole lot closer than they would listen to your words. May I encourage you to be sure that your life always reflects whose you are? Be careful to not cave in to the things of this world when backed into a corner with a bunch of friends. Be a Christian at work, at home and at play, just as you are in church.

Prayer: Precious Lord, You stood up to all opposition and hesitated enacting Your awesome power on the cross because of Your commitment and obedience to the Father . Please help us to be just as committed to following You in obedience and dedication to our Lord and Savior, especially out in the world as we hang around folk that need to see physical proof of You in and through Your children. Lord, may it always be evident whose we are, even when it may mean us standing out from the crowd. May our lives always be about You and in full obedience to You. I ask these things in the precious name of Jesus, my Master and 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. 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org 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 Highlands County, 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!

2016

Saved… Now What?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Love, Love othersLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right?  May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for your blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 1:22–23
Today’s Bible Text: You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation

My Take Away: In a Prayer Conference a few months ago we were encourage to sometimes say why we are praying for certain things. The way to pull that into our prayer is to use the words “so that…”. So I might pray for a missionary going to the Bahamas, so that the most hardened hearts might be touched with the gospel and that crime would decrease and the work of the Lord increase. Peter is reminding us that we should not only be thankful that we were touched by the Holy Spirit and redirected towards the Savior, but now that we are saved from our lives of sin and eternal damnation, we have an obligation to duplicate that love that reached down and loved us even in the self-destructive life that we were living, to now show that same love towards those that we come into contact with. In our attempts to duplicate God’s love for us, we should always be reminded that God loved us just the way we were – He didn’t change us first then love us. We too will be challenged to love those who may appear to be unlovable, or very challenging to deal with. Friends, God has commanded us to love one another – period! It’s a given that this will include those who are easy to love, and those who will challenge our real faith and trust in the Lord. Let’s remember that we are to trust in the Lord with all of our heart, soul and mind. As we do that, we will quickly realize that it is the power and love of God within us, that will reach out in love to those who may seem unlovable to mortal man. So I believe that we must love with all that is within us – especially the Holy Spirit. Because He first loved us, we have proof that He can also love the hardest person we know, through us. Through obedience to God and our dependence on His awesome Holy Spirit, we can love even the most challenging people, friends! Trust Him today and let Him be God through you in all that you do in His name, and for His glory!

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for loving each of us with such deep affection, that You were willing to give up Your Son in death on a very cruel cross, just so that we could have a chance at one day being with You in heaven. What amazing love, and what a sacrifice! Thank You Lord Jesus. There will be ones that will cross our paths today that we will stop and wonder how we could ever love them, or show them Your grace. With the same love that You showed for us, I pray that we will sincerely look to You for power and grace to love others. Thank You heavenly Father for using even us to touch the hearts and lives of others. May we be totally obedient and submissive today, all for Your ultimate glory, 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. 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org 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 Highlands County, 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!

2016

Be Holy – Just Like God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Holiness, Imitate Jesus, ObedienceLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 1:14–16
Today’s Bible Text: So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: From the time we are born, we start our training in obedience, or in modeling after our parents. As we grow older we realize that there are certain qualities that we really appreciate in other successful role models, so we start paying attention to those additional character qualities also. Sooner or later we start learning about the qualities of Jesus Christ, and hopefully at some stage of our lives we fell in love with Jesus, because of all that we learnt that He had done for us, and submitted our lives to His control and His will for us. It is at this stage that Peter is telling us that if we have surrendered our lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ, then we must live like His obedient children. In other words, this was not just a decision that we made for the sake of mom who had pressured us most of our lives to become a Christian, and it’s not about the one who may have walked the isle of your church in response to something that the pastor said that made you feel guilty. Peter is referring to a firm commitment you made that linked you with Jesus Christ, just like a woman is linked to a man in marriage. Just as in marriage we are reminded that the “two shall become one”, so it is in your relationship with God, through His Son Jesus. Friends, you want to become one with Jesus, and through obedience to His Word, allow Jesus to become one with you. When this happens, you become one – inseparable. You start acting like Jesus because you have filled your life with so much of Him (His teachings and understanding His character and qualities) that you could easily be recognized as a child of God. We become holy, just as He is holy. Are you there yet in your relationship with God? If not, may I encourage you to revisit the cross and make that relationship with Jesus a very personal and committed one. This is way too important to leave any doubt in your mind. For a true test, see if others are recognizing you as a ‘Jesus kid’. For if you are endeavoring to be holy as God is holy, others will see a pleasant change in all that you are.

Prayer: Lord You are holy, and we thank You for standing tall among all the rest in holiness and righteousness. I am humbled that You expect the same thing of us, for You have made it clear in Your Word that You want us to be holy, just as You are. I believe that this is a unique identifier, especially in a world that is so lost and headed in the wrong direction. There just is no time for double talk. If we claim to be Your child, then we must exemplify Your qualities. Please touch Your children in a very powerful way today so that we all may reassess our commitment to You. May our actions speak much louder than any words we could possibly say. May others clearly see Jesus in us through our words and our actions, as we strive to live in total obedience to You and Your Word. I ask these things in deepest humility and faith, through the strong name of the Holy One, 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. 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org 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 Highlands County, 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!

2016