By Faith

On 2024-05-302024-05-30 By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Thursday, May 30, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 11:24-27; 29;

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.
It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: I find it interesting that attorneys will cite the outcome of previous cases similar to the one they are an active part of. It’s like saying to the jury, see, this is not the first time this same thing has happened, and there’s no need to reinvent the outcome of this, just follow suit with what a jury and judge already took days to reach a decision on, and follow through with sentencing. So how exactly is this different to the child of God who is facing a brand new challenge in their life? Hopefully, they could see from Biblical accounts that their situation was satisfactorily resolved by our ancestors when God became actively involved in their life and situation? Friends, I’m afraid that many today look at faith as a tool in their toolbox, that they could pull out and use when major events, beyond their control, occurs. Interestingly, those who have been to church at one time in their life, or have heard about the miracles of God, will attempt to use this tool as a quick fix for their problem, whether they know Jesus personally or whether they have a relationship with Him or not. However, let’s look at today’s Scripture and remind ourselves how was used by Moses. Remember that it was an encounter with God that brought Moses to his senses and helped him to realize that even he could be a toll used of God to fulfill His will and purpose. Yes, as a young man, Moses quickly acknowledged that he was no one special, nor did he even dream of being a leader of a few, much less a multitude of very challenging people that needed to be returned to their home country. After all, there’s military leaders especially trained for that type challenge. But God opened the mind and eyes of Moses to help him see how He (God) had been actively involved in his (Moses) life right from the very beginning of his life. Through the burning bush, God reminded Moses of how miraculous He was and how this would transcend down to every order given to Moses for the task ahead of him. Friends, God still uses similar tactics in our lives today to open our eyes of faith. We should always be opened to the mighty works of God in the lives of His children. We must be careful to no longer attribute the miracles happening in our life to ‘good luck’ or ‘happen chance’. If we are a child of the King and have a daily, active relationship with Jesus Christ, then let’s be reminded that if God sent His very own Son to save us from our sin, there is nothing that He wouldn’t do to save us from the wrath of this wicked world, if we ask Him to? If He used unusual circumstances to get through to us and cause us to surrender to Him, is there any reason He wouldn’t use even us to minister to those that we come into contact with? Please take some time and meditate on the miracles God performed through Moses for the benefit of His people. Try going to church for more than just checking off that box on your weekly To-Do list, but instead, anticipate encountering saints who have been touched by God, listen to their faith stories and hear the excitement of what God has done in their life. God will use these things to energize your faith. He did great and mighty things through the humility and willingness of Moses, there is no reason that He couldn’t, or wouldn’t, do the same thing through you, if you surrender your life to Him, and in faith, trust Him to use even you to complete His mission in your part of His world. Moses obediently lifted his rod and the waters of the Red Sea parted so his people could cross over without drowning; he struck a rock with that rod and water gushed forth in the desert to ease the thirst of his thirsty people. Perhaps there’s a ‘Red Sea’ that is challenging you today and blocking the progress of those looking up to you, listen closely as God tells you how He will part the waters to let your people through safely. God is all-powerful and mighty in every way. I believe He wants to come alongside of you and help you overcome your life’s challenges today. In faith, let Him do it, my friend!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Thank You Lord Jesus for seeing the faith that existed in Moses, and thank You for also recognizing the lack of faith in Peter when he looked away from You. I am convinced that there’s a mixed bag of faith in my audience today also as they read this devotional. I pray that You will once again show forth Your power, so that Your children will be strengthened in their relationship with You. Each day we need a renewed and refreshed look at our Master so that our faith will reach new heights and allow You to fulfill Your mission through us, Your humble servants. Please forgive us when we doubt and faulter, Lord. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done, on earth, even through us, today and every day. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

How To Avoid Drifting Away

On 2023-11-17 By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Friday, November 17, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Royal Floridian Resort, Ormond Beach, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Living Bible (TLB) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 2:1-3

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: So we must listen very carefully to the truths we have heard, or we may drift away from them. For since the messages from angels have always proved true and people have always been punished for disobeying them, what makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation announced by the Lord Jesus himself and passed on to us by those who heard him speak?

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Should this devotional be addressed to a boater, I’m sure he would first think of this as advice on how best to secure his boat, so that it won’t drift away while he’s asleep, or otherwise busy. If to a banker, he might look at this as advice on how to avoid seeing his bank drift away from the ‘A’ rating received from regulators during their last visit. To a married couple, this message should encourage them to seek ways to avoid drifting away from the love and excitement they felt for each other on their wedding day, and for 10, 20 or 30 years later, for they may have ‘drifted’ from that excitement if they allowed other distractions into their individual lives. And so it is in our Christian walk. God gave us the full picture, including what it will look like in heaven and who all will be there with us. However, God also gave us free will to follow Him as Lord of our lives – just like when we accepted Him, or to actually drift away from Him and be miserable souls here on earth. This particular Scripture was given to believers who may had given in to the leadership of, and trust in, angels. Often it’s the very things that sound angelic or that provided positive outlooks in the Bible, that Satan will use to confuse us and/or cause us to drift away from the direct leadership of the Holy Spirit, or distract us from the commitment we may have made to our Lord and Savior many years ago. Friends, I believe this Scripture is intended to challenge us to stay true to God’s Word, always cement a close bond with our Savior, and be determined to let nothing come between us and our Lord. Some married men may kid around and say that they told their wives on their wedding day that he loved them, and they don’t need to keep repeating that, unless something changes! Unfortunately, some Christians may tend to think that way about their salvation. But let’s all be reminded today that on the day we committed our lives to Jesus as our Lord, we entered into a covenant relationship with Him. We basically committed to obeying His commands, His Word, and to live life very much like He showed us through His Word. Because we have new challenges every day, our relationship with Jesus will require speaking with, and hearing from Jesus every day. It’s what comes in through our ears and eyes that fills our heart for output. Many can give us very detailed information about their favorite sports figure, or team, because of their interest in that sport, team or individual. Perhaps if we were sold out to Jesus in a similar way, others might start recognizing in whom we believe, and to whom we owe our lives. Salvation is not a one-time decision that allows you to check one more thing off your to-do list. Instead, it’s a day and time that you decided to turn your life completely around, leave your old life behind, and start in a new direction following Jesus and His ways. In marriage, I told my wife that I would commit myself to her til death do us part. In our relationship with Jesus Christ, may we commit ourselves to Him til death brings us even closer together in heaven, and may that commitment be so passionate that we will ask God to help us ward off daily distractions that could otherwise cause us to drift away from Him. For those Satan-sized distractions, we need a God-sized plan that only He can achieve for us and through us. Walking haphazardly into His presence a few times per year, or even once a week in public worship, can hardly be considered daily and hourly communion with Him.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, thank You for being so sacrificial, loving and caring about us on a minute by minute basis. Please forgive us for giving in to the ways of this world, led by the advisory, that consistently pulls us away from You and Your perfect will for us. Satan is very much the source of our ‘drifting’ away from Your will. Lord, You created us in Your image, so I can only believe that you knew full well that we would be weak and ineffective without You prominently in our hearts and lives. Forgive us Lord for wanting to show our independence and thinking that we could handle the likes of Satan and his wicked army on our own. AMEN!

Allow God to Use You Today Exactly where You are at

On 2019-03-28 By Ed AlgreenIn direction, Esther, God's Guidance, Obedience, TimeLeave a comment

Thursday, 2019-03-28

Bible Reference: Esther 4:12–14
Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Bible Text: When Mordecai was told what Esther had said, he sent back this reply, “Don’t think that you will escape being killed with the rest of the Jews, just because you live in the king’s palace. If you don’t speak up now, we will somehow get help, but you and your family will be killed. It could be that you were made queen for a time like this!”

OBSERVATION: Many will buy a ‘chance’ today, to win millions of dollars in a lotto! Others will attribute their being located in a specific place around specific people as circumstantial, or by accident, or even mere luck. However, we should meditate on the words of Mordecai in this Scripture today, and understand that God has an ordained place for us to be today, with certain people, for a specific purpose that only He knows. Let’s anticipate the blessings that might ensue, as a result of our obedience to God today!

APPLICATION: Mordecai challenged Esther to reconsider her reason for not assisting him in his plea to save the lives of all Jews in the area at that time. Maybe up to this point Esther was thinking that it was because of her beauty that she was favored to be queen under King Xerxes, or perhaps her gentle character or even her kind-hearted attitude. However, was Esther really any worse that some of us? I believe that way too often we tend to attribute our location to something that we have always desired; Our job position on something we have worked hard for, and achieved; Our spouse on the attraction one towards the other; Our church on being the most popular in the area with the best worship music or preaching or teaching of God’s Word. But friend have you stopped to reflect on where you are at in each of these areas of your life right now, and how God had a hand in it all? Have you reflected recently on the gentle, but firm guidance in your life to get you where you are at in every aspect of life? I can personally share that there have been many situations in my life where I can reflect back and see exactly how and why God directed me to where I am today. So do I believe that God has me where He wants me for a time such as this? I can only respond very positively, based on my faith in Him and on the ways that He has operated in my life already. Now I’ve also seen Him close doors, so don’t assume that everything will be super positive, clean and just the way we want it, or like it. If we trust Him for direction in our lives, then we must trust Him for all the benefits and/or fallouts we might see, especially in those cases where answers may of been delivered differently to what we had our minds made up for. Friends, if you are a child of the King – a born-again Christian, you are who you are; and where you are; surrounded by everyone God has ordained to be there – for such a time as this. May God use this time to draw you closer to Himself and to be especially obedient to Him, so that He can use You to accomplish His work right where you are, just as you are.

PRAYER: Father, You are such an awesome God and I thank You for reaching in through hoards of other folk, to acknowledge the needs and opportunities of this simple man. Thank You for loving me that much! I’m sure that my readers and I could identify with the encouragement and push needed by Esther, because we often find it easier to poke our heads in the sand and ignore needs around us. Now we are reminded that we are divinely gifted and purposefully placed where we are in life for such a time as this. Please use us, Your instruments of praise, to continue to do Your will, and may we always be obedient and willing servants. I ask these things in faith, and in the precious name of Jesus, AMEN!

God Can!

On 2017-05-12 By Ed AlgreenIn Healing, Representation of the Master, SubmissionLeave a comment

Post Date:	Friday, 2017-05-12
SCRIPTURE
From:	Mark 9:28-29 (ERV)
Text:	²⁸Then Jesus went into the house. His followers were alone with him there. They said, “Why weren’t we able to force that evil spirit out?” ²⁹Jesus answered, “That kind of spirit can be forced out only with prayer.
OBSERVATION:
On the first read of this passage of Scripture, one might assume that the disciples didn’t have enough faith, or perhaps they didn’t have the necessary power to command the evil spirit out of the boy brought to them by his father. But we will have a closer look at what Jesus told His disciples so that we might also know how to handle these situations today.
APPLICATION:
TV evangelists will tell you that you must bring the sick to them for healing. Some churches have healing services, while others barely bring the subject up. Jesus had performed many miracles in the presence of His disciples, and He even told them that they had power to do what they had seen Him do. However in this instance, Jesus told the disciples that this type of issue could only be handled through prayer. And prayer is directed to whom? Jesus is telling the disciples that only God could handle this type of a situation. In other words, be careful how you go about thinking that you can do anything. Notice in verse 18 the father told Jesus that he took the child to His followers and they couldn’t get rid of the evil spirit from his son. Friends, today we are no different. We are advocates of the Father, and we had best remember who is in charge. May we never assume that we could do anything in our own strength. Our job is to communicate (pray) to the Father. It is He who does the healing, if within His perfect will, He sees and understands that this would be the best thing for the individual, and that it might bring praise and honor to His Son, Jesus. The other thing that we must be careful of, is the manner in which we approach the throne of grace and speak with our Father. We are not His boss, so we don’t approach Him as such. Servants approach their Master in humility, thanksgiving and with petitions that He alone may choose to respond to. Notice in verse 29 Jesus said that the Father must be approached in prayer, meaning that we should plead our case/requests with Him, Remember, we do the asking, God does the healing. I don’t believe that God would be very happy at all with us if we try to reverse the rolls, for after all, He alone is God. As His workmanship, we are simply tools that He could use to accomplish His will and His work, if He so chooses.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, it is so easy for us to pick pieces of Scripture and hang our hats on those nuggets, as they may better fit the situation we are facing at the time. Lord, please get our attention to the fact that You are in control and that You alone are capable of the miraculous works of the Master. We are simple, humble servants and we must approach Your throne with that simplicity. Servants ask, not tell their Master what to do. May we never forget the authority You have over us, nor forget the absolute lack of authority we have over You. Thank You Lord for loving us anyway and for allowing us to represent You before a lost world. Thank You for Your discipline when its necessary to remind us who’s in control! With much love, appreciation and submissiveness I ask these things dear Lord, AMEN!
FOOTNOTE:
There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the 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!

Strategically Placed For A Time Like This

On 2016-03-262016-03-26 By Ed AlgreenIn direction, Esther, God's Guidance, Obedience, TimeLeave 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: Esther 4:12–14
Today’s Bible Text: When Mordecai was told what Esther had said, he sent back this reply, “Don’t think that you will escape being killed with the rest of the Jews, just because you live in the king’s palace. If you don’t speak up now, we will somehow get help, but you and your family will be killed. It could be that you were made queen for a time like this!”
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take Away: Mordecai challenged Esther to reconsider her reason for not assisting him in his plea to save the lives of all Jews in the area at that time. Maybe up to this point Esther was thinking that it was because of her beauty that she was favored to be queen under King Xerxes, or perhaps her gentle character or even her kindhearted attitude. However, was Esther really any worse that some of us? I believe that way too often we tend to attribute our location to something that we have always desired; Our job position on something we have worked hard for, and achieved; Our spouse on the attraction one towards the other; Our church on being the most popular in the area with the best preaching and teaching of God’s Word. But friend have you stopped to reflect on where you are at in each of these areas of your life right now, and how God had a hand in it all? Have you reflected recently on the gentle, but firm guidance in your life to get you where you are at in every aspect of life? I can personally share that there have been many situations in my life where I can reflect back and see exactly how and why God directed me to where I am today. So do I believe that God has me where He wants me for a time such as this? I can only respond very positively, based on my faith in Him and on the ways that He has operated in my life already. Now I’ve also seen Him close doors, so don’t assume that everything will be super positive, clean and just the way we like it. If we trust Him for direction in our lives, then we must trust Him for all the benefits and/or fallout we might see in cases where answers come differently to what we had our minds made up for. Friends, if you are a child of the King, a born-again Christian, you are who you are; and where you are; surrounded by everyone God has ordained to be there – for such a time as this. May God use this time to draw you closer to Himself and to be most obedient to Him, so that He can use You to accomplish His work here on earth, just as you are.

Prayer: Father, You are such an awesome God and I thank You for reaching in through hoards of other folk, to acknowledge the needs and opportunities of this simple man. Thank You for loving me that much! I’m sure that my readers and I could identify with the encouragement and push needed by Esther, because we often find it easier to poke our heads in the sand and ignore needs around us. Now we are reminded that we are divinely gifted and purposefully placed where we are in life for such a time as this. Please use us, Your instruments of praise, to continue to do Your will, and may we always be obedient and willing servants. I ask these things in faith, and 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. 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

Nuggets From God's Word

Tag: Let God