Tag: Legacy

Embracing Legacy: Lessons from 1 Peter

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Monday, July 7, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Blue Tree Resort at Lake Buena Vista, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read 1 Peter 1:13-16 in your Bible or click on it to read it online in the Good News Translation (GNT).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.
Our ongoing reflection on the past parallels the journey of Peter, as we often look back on our ancestors’ achievements and our own life experiences with a sense of satisfaction. Peter, however, encouraged his audience—an encouragement that, by its inclusion in the Bible, is also meant for us—to let these memories inspire purpose and determination moving forward. While Peter did not discourage thoughtful consideration of our heritage, he prompted believers to allow such reflection to energize their commitment and resolve, guided now by the mindset of Christ. This approach ensures that present actions may likewise inspire coming generations.

Although we cannot change what our ancestors have done, we can draw from their strengths, wisdom and resolve and strive to avoid repeating their evident missteps. Each day offers an opportunity to shape a legacy that others may study, critique, and perhaps emulate. Reflecting on my youth, I often believed that my modern perspectives surpassed those of my parents. Yet, over time, their wisdom and experience demonstrated more reliable and trustworthy paths forward. Nothing beats experience and the guidance of Almighty God. Observing younger generations today, I hope they will make informed, mature decisions—taking into account not only new ideas but also the lessons imparted by us and prior generations.

Jesus’ message through Peter challenges believers to keep in mind the promise of His return, recognizing that our present conduct and life-decisions regarding salvation can influence this future encounter. Our daily choices may lead to commendation or questioning, acceptance or rejection into heaven. I believe that how we have stewarded the gifts bestowed upon us will be of particular interest to the Master. The impact we make may bring others to Christ or, regrettably, serve as a deterrent—something to be taken seriously.

Verse 16 teaches us to pursue holiness, just as Christ is holy. While Jesus’ divinity sets Him apart, Scripture affirms that believers are empowered by the One living within them—greater than any earthly power. Ultimately, it is a personal choice: whom will you choose to emulate today? Does your life reflect readiness to meet Christ and encourage others to seek Him as well? If not, consider inviting Christ into your life, allowing Him to guide your actions for the benefit of the Kingdom.

PRAYER
Precious Lord Jesus, thank You for blessing us with a place to live, friends to encourage us, and a church family to love on us and encourage our walk with You. It seems natural for us to reflect on our ancestors and our past, but I am thankful for Your Word today that encourages us to look forward to a very special day when You call us (believers) home to glory. Please help us to fix our eyes, our heart and our mind on what lies ahead for us. You went to the extreme in showing such love through Your sacrifice on Calvary and still went even further to prepare a home for us, that where You are, we may be also. Oh, what a glorious thought to one day be with our Savior, Lord and Master forever in heaven – Your perfect place/eternal home with the father. Please help us to live life here with our prospects of heaven at the forefront of our minds, so that others could see, experience our joy, and look forward to being with You also! AMEN

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian Walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

Our Legacy

On By Ed AlgreenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Holy Bible

13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous (brave). Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.

(Bible Translation and Location: New Living Translation – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

Thoughts:

I believe that most of us have a desire to leave a legacy of some sort. Yes, but I can also assure you that the way we live our lives today will be remembered by those who know us long after we leave this world, whether we specifically aim towards a planned ‘legacy’ or not. Sounds scary, but consider that thought carefully! If we are prone to do good, we will be referred to, in comparison, when someone else also does good to our loved ones. Unfortunately, the reverse also happens. After reading Paul’s admonition to his fellow Christians at Corinth during his farewell wishes, God really spoke to me through these two verses. You see, to me, each of the short phrases in these verses carry a very important message. Let me explain:

  • Be on guard: Always be ready. We are often told that we should never go to bed mad at our spouse. How much more powerful are these words when it comes to our relationship with Jesus? Always be ready to defend your beliefs. Always be in such close communion with God that You are ready (without regrets) whenever He calls you home. I was reminded last night of a friend who was watching TV and fell asleep. He woke up in heaven. There was no time to clarify and/or correct any misgivings. We must be on guard, for the Bible says that Jesus will come in an instant for us! Be ready, and stay finely tuned with the Master!
  • Stand firm: Know what you believe and stand firm in that. There are numerous agents of Satan that will attempt to lead us away from the Truth. It may even look and sound like the Christian faith, but without full knowledge and a close relationship with the Master, we might be easily misled.
  • Be courageous and strong: Those with opposing views to yours, will try to trip you up, ‘beat you up’ and try to force their point of view upon you. Don’t lose hope brothers and sisters. Let God be your guide. Be brave and proud that you are standing on the Word of God and representing the King of all kings! You are royalty, because your Father is THE KING!
  • Do everything in love: I find it very interesting how one person can say something and it creates havoc in a whole audience, while someone else can say the same thing in a different tone of voice, in love, and convince the audience of their need for change. Friends, we have the wonderful love of Jesus living inside of us. We represent the One who loved us enough to sacrifice His only Son so that we might live eternally with Him. When we surrender our hearts to Him, He sends His Holy Spirit to live inside of us. Think about the agony He must feel when we allow sin to govern us, instead of the One living inside of us. When we can’t figure out how to say something loving, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you the words. He’s as close as the whisper of His name. Friends, we must truly imitate Jesus if we stand a chance of impacting this world for Him!

If you are reading this and wondering how you might accept this Jesus of mine, so that His Holy Spirit lives within you, please read the footnote and allow a Christian Brother or Sister to help you. I would be honored to help!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You told us in Your Word that You did nothing without the direction of Your father, God. May we be Your faithful follower and do the same. Thank You for loving us enough for providing the means by which salvation is available. Thank You for assuring us of Your power and strength that can guide us lovingly through this life, yes even life today that is so filled with a multitude of sins that temp and bombard us in every walk of life. Your very nature is ‘LOVE’ and because You reside inside of us through Your Holy Spirit, we too can be loving in all we do and say. Please give us the boldness to do exactly that. May we be faithful examples of our Father and His Son, Jesus, because of whose we are! I ask this believing and trusting, in the 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!