Characteristics That Exemplify Christ

On 2016-08-15 By Ed AlgreenIn Imitate Jesus, Imitator of Christ, Our CharacterLeave a comment

Monday, 2016-08-15

Scripture

Bible Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:14–22

Bible Text: 14 My friends, we beg you to warn anyone who isn’t living right. Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 Don’t be hateful to people, just because they are hateful to you. Rather, be good to each other and to everyone else. 16 Always be joyful 17 and never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do. 19 Don’t turn away God’s Spirit 20 or ignore prophecies. 21 Put everything to the test. Accept what is good 22 and don’t have anything to do with evil.

Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take

Paul in the conclusion of his letter to the church at Thessalonica, shared some parting words that ring out as being very timely advice for Christians even today. Meditate on these things friends, and ask God to give you wisdom and strength to apply them in your life each day. Here are the highlights:

Warn those are not living right – this shows love, friends. If you love them you will care enough to warn them in love. You never stop to consider how they might respond if you warned them of a natural disaster heading our way, so warning them about their ultimate, eternal destination is far more critical;
Encourage those who feel forsaken – remind them of the love of Jesus for all, not just the rich, or just those important to society, but for all;
Help the weak – some are just unable to help themselves, and one day that might be your position in life. Be willing and ready to help those who are unable to help themselves;
Be patient with everyone – of course everyone may not be the perfectionist that you are. Of course they may not be able, or willing, to do everything you do. Just as God is not finished with every detail of your life, He may still be working on the one you are impatient with. Furthermore, God may be using that particular scenario to deepen this particular characteristic – patience!
Don’t be hateful to people because they may have been hateful to you. Instead, be good to others;
Always be joyful;
Never stop praying;
Because of what Jesus did for you, always be thankful;
Don’t try to escape the Holy Spirit or the prophecies, but try to prove them;

Friends, I could find something to share on each item, but I believe you will agree with me that it would benefit us to pin this list up somewhere handy so that we might be constantly reminded of the way we should strive to live. As we do this, I believe we will grow more and more to be like Jesus. We need this, and the world needs to see this so that they might know that we are, who we say we are.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we are so weak and so susceptible to the attraction of this world, that we are often misrepresented as children of the world rather than children of God. Please forgive us for our failure to honor You and Your Holy Word. Through Your servant Paul, You have taught us about characteristics that would help us to imitate the qualities of the true and living God. Lord, we want to be just like You, and we want the world to see enough in our character that they might see a ‘better way’ the way to the cross – the way to Jesus. Please touch, and empower Your children once again today Lord. Please fix our eyes on You and give us the will to lay aside the desires of this world for the overwhelming joy of being more like You so that we may serve You better and more effectively. I ask these things in the awesome and powerful name of Jesus, Son of the living God, 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!

When We Come To Our Senses

On 2016-08-13 By Ed AlgreenIn Control, SurrenderLeave a comment

Saturday, 2016-08-13

Scripture

Bible Reference: Daniel 4:36–37

Bible Text: 36 “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before. 37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

As I read about this awakening by king Nebuchadnezzar, I was reminded of the awakening by the Prodigal Son in the New Testament. In both cases they had to follow the advice given to addicts, who have to acknowledge that there is a problem, and that self must step aside to receive the help necessary to overcome the problem. Reading in earlier verses one can understand that the verdict given to the king was ultimate disaster, and would have led to great shame, embarrassment, pain and anguish. However, we can see how God’s grace, although so unmerited, or something we could never be good enough for, yet God pours it on us beyond measure. In this case, He graced Nebuchadnezzar with a heart of humbleness, that although he was king and could demand anything he wanted from his subjects, yet it would have no effect on his impending danger and ultimate verdict given by God through a vision.Once recognized that he had no control over the events foretold for himself, the king surrendered, or came to his senses, and realized that he needed the God of this universe to intercede in his life and help him. Friends, does it ever feel like each day presents yet one more ‘brick wall’ that you can’t seem to break through, or get over? Does it ever seem like you absolutely have no control over what happens, even though your are a hard worker, care for your family and love your friends? I pray that we will learn to humble ourselves, listen to God (through reading His Word); be obedient to His commands, and surrender our will to the perfect will of God. Until we do that friends, we are trying to run this complex ‘show’ that we call life, all by ourselves, and we do that without all the facts about what will happen tomorrow. Let’s be diligent about seeking the face of God. Let’s glorify our Lord and Savior! Let’s turn the ‘reign’s of our life over to the One who really knows what is going on right now, and in all of our tomorrows. Our Father is ready to lead His children, if we allow Him to. Won’t you consider doing this today friend?

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for being patient with us each day as we press on to live this life on our own. Thank You for reminding us through this scripture today that there is a better way; that there is One who can handle all of life’s circumstances; and One who actually knows what’s best for us today, so that our tomorrows will be filled with the joy of Your salvation. Lord, we look forward to being with You in heaven one day. Please continue to lead us in the right path while we live on this old earth. Please use us for Your glorification; the encouragement of the saints; and to challenge those not yet surrendered to You. I ask these things in faith and of the only begotten Son of God, AMEN!

Footnote

Confident Faith In God

On 2016-08-12 By Ed AlgreenIn Confidence, Faith, Faith in Action, Genuine FaithLeave a comment

Friday, 2016-08-12

Scripture

Bible Reference: Daniel 2:19–23

Bible Text: 19 That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. 20 He said, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. 21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. 22 He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.”

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

At many workplaces there is a bonus given for referring prospective employees to the company. However, the bonus is only paid after the individual is hired and after they have passed their probationary period. Kind of making sure that this is a ‘sure thing’ with this new employee! Also, consider this: if someone told us something that they believe about a person, and then asked us to take action on that ‘belief’, we would probably be very hesitant to take any action until we could verify the facts, right? Well, in our scripture today, we read about how the lives of Daniel and his friends, plus many more, were threatened by an order from King Nebuchadnezzar, where they would be thrown into a fire pit if they couldn’t tell him what his dream was or what it meant. We read about the sincere prayer of these men, asking God for a revelation and the wisdom to understand the meaning of the dream. What I found most interesting is that after Daniel’s vision from God, there was no anxiousness for Daniel to run to the king and see if he got it right, but rather, Daniel had a time or praising the Lord for answered prayer! There was no doubt! There was just plain confidence, that God had given him THE answer! This was again evident as Daniel went before the king, for he TOLD him what his dream was, and what it meant. It was not presented as a question, or with any sense of doubt. I encourage you to read the rest of this chapter, because this had an enormous impact on the king. So how can this be applied to our lives? Friends, if we truly have faith in God and if we truly believe in the awesome power of our God, then I believe that we will trust Him to lead us aright. Our God has proven Himself over and over again! There is no reason to doubt! Have faith in God! Lets work at developing such a prayer life that our confidence in our God will be maximized, and that He will receive all the glory from every prayer that is answered for us!

Prayer

Father, I would imagine that You must look at us sometimes and wonder why do we bother to pray, since we are such sceptics. We have been reminded of Your awesome power again today in the scriptures, but we have also been reminded of the great confidence of Your faithful servant, Daniel. Lord, may we be faithful in our prayers, and also faithful to believe in the responses from You, the One to whom we are praying. I believe that You are still alive, and I believe that You still answer our prayers. Please help us to remove all doubt and to place our faith and trust in the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords – the Creator of this universe and the Sustainer of all life! You are my God and I praise You for all things, and for all You do for me every day – especially in Your answered prayers! AMEN!

Footnote

God Readies Us For The Moment

On 2016-08-11 By Ed AlgreenIn Chosen by God, God's Chosen People, SurrenderLeave a comment

Thursday, 2016-08-11

Scripture

Bible Reference: Daniel 1:9, 17

Bible Text: 9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel.
17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I find it extremely interesting how, as humans, we try so hard to change certain aspects of what God has already perfectly made. For example: the color of our hair perfectly designed by God vs the color we feel we need, to be prettier or successful in life; if our hair is curly, then often we want it straight, or vice versa; numerous surgeries that are performed to transform us into the person we envision, vs what God has perfectly made in His perfect design; etc. Friends, I believe it is obvious from our scripture today, that God aligned everything for His servant Daniel so that lives would be impacted along the way. Think about this: Daniel was intricatly made with the looks and necessary smarts that would be later used in this scenario; Out of all the young men that could have been chosen in obedience to the king’s command, God designed it so that Daniel would be among the chosen, even with his peculiar eating habits; God gave the chief of staff respect and affection for Daniel (vs 9), therefore he worked with Daniel to provide the foods matching his diet; God gave Daniel and his three friends unusual, or extraordinary, smarts and understanding for literature and wisdom; God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret visions and dreams, and guess what? The king had a dream that none of his normal magicians could handle, and this opened the door for interaction between Daniel and the king. Can you see how God’s plan came together? However friends, the story doesn’t end there, for God showed Himself worthy in many other scenarios in the Bible, and even to me in my short lifespan, I have seen Him work miraculously to align His perfect will, so that lives would be impacted – in at least two cases I saw where the lives of two family members were physically saved, and in another where one was rescued and given the opportunity for an extended life. I believe that God is also working in many of Your lives to accomplish His will, and I believe that He desperately wants to work in the rest of you, who have not totally surrendered to God. Are you being humble, obedient and willing to totally surrender your life to His calling? May I encourage you to submit to God and let Him work out His will for your life? It will surprise you what our awesome God can do through a humble servant willing to be used by Him in His awesome plan!

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for providing for Daniel and all those who were touched by his life, because He was obedient to You. You have reminded us today that we too are Your special design, Your chosen children, and that there is much to be done and many to be reached for Your ultimate glory. I immediately thought of that contemporary song ‘I’m Yours Lord, everything I am, everything I have‘. Lord, may Your children recommit themselves to be totally Yours today, so that You may enact Your plan to reach our lost loved ones and friends, even through us. You used others we know to reach our hardened hearts, and I have every reason to believe that You can use us also – all for Your ultimate glory. I ask these things in faith, and for the enrichment of Your kingdom oh Lord, AMEN!

Footnote

How Would One Describe You?

On 2016-08-102016-08-11 By Ed AlgreenIn Evangelize, Fruit of the SpiritLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2016-08-10

Scripture

Bible Reference: 1 Thessalonians 1:8–10

Bible Text: 8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, 9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. 10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I’ve heard people referred to as: ‘That grumpy old man’; ‘That such a sweet old lady’; ‘He is a no-nonsense man’; ‘She has the sweetest smile’; ‘He is a true man of God’; and lots of other such phrases. I’ve heard churches referred to as: ‘All they’re after is your money’; ‘They’re all noise, but no action’; ‘They are the holier-than-thou crowd’; ‘They just can’t identify with the people who live all around them’; etc. I’m sure you can add many other things that you have heard also, but I believe that I have made my point. When last have you heard someone, especially an unsaved person without a vested interest in the person or the church, describe them using similar terms as Paul heard in his contacts about his friends at Thessalonica? When last have you been able to describe a person or a church as being in the very likeness of Jesus Christ, and anxious for His return? What would we need to change in our own lives to make sure that the world sees Jesus in our words and in our actions? The ‘church’ is an accumulation of ‘us’ friends, so anytime we can’t refer to the church in very positive, Godly terms, then we are acknowledging that we need the hand of God more actively involved in our lives. Are you there yet friends? Are you ready to lay aside the pride; greed; prejudice and selfish desires; so that God might truly begin a good work in you? I am convinced that when we humble ourselves and let God be God, then He will work in the lives that we touch, and He may even feel at home doing this through His servants like you and I. Wouldn’t that be glorious to see God take full control of our lives and full control of our churches! Wouldn’t that be something like a small coal that burns so intensely that it heats up and ignites a fire in everything around it! Perhaps then our communities and our cities and our state might recognize the church as being an extension of the hand of God! I really want to see that happen, and I want to be a part of it! How about you friend?

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for working a miracle in my life by helping me to look beyond the appeal of this world, to the greater appeal of eternity in heaven with my Creator and Lord. Many reading this blog today have also accepted Your gift of salvation and are in the same boat as I am. After reading these verses today, I am not totally convinced that our lives are a true, honest reflection of You though, so I want to plead with You to continue working on us until You see total dedication to the ways of God, so that we might be beacons in our community of the greatest and brightest Light, the Light of the world, Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, I want the unsaved to look on us and see nothing but Jesus. May they see it so brightly that their hearts will be stirred towards accepting You as their Lord also. May You be honored through us today, and known because of our interaction with someone today. For I ask these things all for Your glory, honor and praise, AMEN!

Footnote

The Ultimate Rewards Program

On 2016-08-092016-08-09 By Ed AlgreenIn RewardsLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2016-08-09

Scripture

Bible Reference: Revelation 22:12–13

Bible Text: 12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

It’s really amazing all that we will do in order to build up rewards on our credit card. Recently I overheard a person excited about saving 36 cents per gallon at the gas pump, because of rewards dollars accumulated on their rewards card. Well guess what, I bet they will now shop all the more at that business, whose retail prices seem much higher than the competition, just to earn the rewards! Others will travel an extra 10 miles to shop at the store, or gas station, that pays 4 center for every dollar spent at their gas pumps and charged to their credit card. If you pump 10 gallons, you saved 40 cents in rewards dollars. How much did you burn in gas to travel the extra distance??!!!! Friends, we are probably reading about the very first ‘rewards’ program when we read these two verses, and they work very much the same way. To benefit from these rewards, you must firstly, be acceptable in God’s sight (having accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior), in other words, you belong there; and secondly, the Word says that we will be rewarded for our deeds. Friends throughout the Bible we are taught about what our deeds should look like. Can our deeds easily be taken for deeds of the Holy Spirit, or God-led deeds? If so, you probably stand to benefit from the ‘rewards’ Jesus is promising to bring with Him. If you do not meet either of the above qualifications, then you will be rewarded like I was at the gas pump near to the above referenced person, for I received zero dollars in rewards seeing that I didn’t meet the qualifications of the program. Where do you stand friend? Are you confident of the ‘rewards’ you will receive? Do you qualify? If you are unsure, please go on to read the Footnote below, for it will provide you with help to qualify!

Prayer

What an awesome thought, that our rewards are out of this world!! Although a slogan used here on earth, yet it is loaded with the truth of all that You have in store for us, as promised in Your Word. Thank You Jesus! Thank You Father! Please use this reminder today to also touch the hearts of my unsaved family and friends, and those who You might ultimately cause to stumble across this blog. Lord, Your Word is powerful and effective. Just as You have touched me with Your Word, I pray now that You might also speak to Your children today who should know You or be drawn closer to You. Please have Your perfect will and way today, and may we not only be found eligible for Your rewards, but may we be more consistently obedient to Your Word in every way, all for Your ultimate glory, AMEN!

Footnote

A Glimpse of Heaven!

On 2016-08-08 By Ed AlgreenIn Choices, Heaven, SalvationLeave a comment

Monday, 2016-MM-DD

Scripture

Bible Reference: Revelation 21:21–27

Bible Text: 21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

Have you ever been told so much about a certain place that you started picturing in your mind what it will look like? Well, let me say that I am so excited about being a child of the Most High, that each day in His presence is sweeter than the day before! But to add to this, I know that God has told me in His Word that He has a place prepared for me, and the rest of His children, and it just excites me to the very limit to know that one day I will be in His presence in, what must be, the most beautiful place that one could ever imagine. When someone tries to describe a beautiful place that they’ve visited, they will often say that no matter how much they try to describe the beauty of the place, you just have to go there for yourself. John tried to do the best he could in this chapter of Revelation, but friends, this is just a glimpse of heaven God gave us through His servant John, and I believe He is knocking at your heart’s door encouraging you to ready yourself for your eternal destination. Notice in verse 27 that entry into this beautiful, but very holy place (heaven) is conditional upon decisions that you make today. If you were taken out of this world today, do you suppose that you would be allowed into heaven? The Bible teaches that there is only One Way to get your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and I expanded on that in my previous blog writing. May I encourage you to look back, read that blog, and make sure that you have done this preliminary business with your Lord. All is in vain if you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. We have such an awesome Savior to spend eternity with, and having been reminded again today, we also have an awesome heaven to enjoy our eternity with the King of kings and Lord of lords. You could very easily be the next person called out from this world, and your eternal destination will be determined by your spiritual condition. Acceptance of Jesus Christ leads to eternity in heaven. The only alternative takes you to the pit of hell with Satan and his demons. The decision is yours friend!

Prayer

Lord God, we came from You and we very much want to return to You after we leave this earth. It is clear in Your Word that there is only one way to make this happen, and You have given us the advantage of not having to guess, or decode the answer, for You have made it abundantly clear. Just to be in Your gracious presence will be enough, but we are overwhelmed at being reminded of the magnificence of heaven – Your home. Although I can personally sing with the songwriter in the words of ‘What A Day That Will Be’, yet my plea today is that You would work on the hearts of Your children who have not yet accepted Your free gift of eternal life. Please especially humble the hearts of my family and my circle of friends, including those who will read this blog, in their search for a closer walk with You. May this be the day that they will find peace in knowing You personally. You are most worthy oh Lord, and we are most undeserving, and so needy for Your gracious love and miraculous hand upon our life. To God be the glory, AMEN!

Footnote

Which Way?

On 2016-08-06 By Ed AlgreenIn Decisions, direction, Heaven, HellLeave a comment

Saturday, 2016-08-06

Scripture

Bible Reference: Revelation 21:6-8

Bible Text: ⁶And He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts I will give [water] from the fountain of the water of life without cost. ⁷He who overcomes [the world by adhering faithfully to Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior] will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. ⁸But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable [who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality], and murderers, and sorcerers [with intoxicating drugs], and idolaters and occultists [who practice and teach false religions], and all the liars [who knowingly deceive and twist truth], their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Bible Translation: Amplified Bible (AMP)

My Take

I understand that one of the hardest things for a man to do, is to stop driving and ask for directions!!! For he tries to work out in his own mind and intuition ‘Which Way’ to go. Of course, choosing the right way will get you to the right place, in best time, and saving the most in fuel costs. And oh, less embarrassment from the wife!!! Now, I believe we all can conclude that choosing the wrong route will cause all of the opposite effects! I am convinced that occasionally we need to be reminded of what the impact that our decisions today have on our eternity. Our all knowing-God took this into effect when He showed John, the author of Revelation, what the impact would be. Thankfully God had John share this with us, so that we could be better informed of what the outcome will be based on our decisions today. In other words, because we are informed, we will go into eternity knowing whether we will be treated as sons and daughters of the Most High, or instead enter into eternal destruction and torment. Friends, the decisions we make today determines our eternal destination. May I remind you that we are naturally inclined to follow the evil desires of our heart. Further, we live in a world that promotes and encourages us to follow these evil ways. How then shall we get from what is natural, to the One who is supernatural? I love the way that this translation reads on verse 7, for it tells us that we are to adhere to the teachings of Jesus Christ. However, we will only do this if we surrender ourselves to that Teacher. For if our natural desire is to sin, we need supernatural power to help us overcome the natural, therefore we need to surrender ourselves to the supernatural One (Jesus), to be led by Him and directed in our path here on earth. Friends, I would encourage you to examine these verses very carefully, for we are given only One Way to change the design and destination of our life. There are no options for just good behavior; attending church; having a good attorney; having good Christian parents, or the such. ONE WAY friends. Please be sure you are on the right track. Please check out my Footnote for help on directions.

Prayer

Thank You dear God for providing THE WAY for us to prepare today for where we will spend eternity. It’s like an open book for us, so we know what it takes and what affects that decision. Please make us bold in making right decisions today Lord, for our desire is to enjoy the glories of Heaven with our Master throughout all eternity. We need You Lord Jesus. Amen!

Footnote

God’s Holy Reputation

On 2016-08-05 By Ed AlgreenIn Holiness, Holy Living, Imitate Jesus, Imitator of Christ, Leadership of the Holy SpiritLeave a comment

Friday, 2016-08-05

Scripture

Bible Reference: Ezekiel 39:25–28

Bible Text: 25 “So now, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: …..; I will have mercy on all Israel, for I jealously guard my holy reputation! 26 They will accept responsibility for their past shame and unfaithfulness after they come home to live in peace in their own land, with no one to bother them. 27 When I bring them home from the lands of their enemies, I will display my holiness among them for all the nations to see. 28 Then my people will know that I am the LORD their God….

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I believe that often, because of certain acts, or certain actions that lead to a church leader, or member, getting arrested, we might hear about how that person brought shame on the church, or on their family. This frequently happens in workplaces also, when evidence points to the fact that an employee stole from the company, or leaked critical information outside of the company. In fact, this often has such a devastating impact on the company, that it may even damage their reputation in the eyes of their customers, or their vendors, or government licensing agencies. However, seldom do we hear that such an incident may have damaged God’s reputation. Friends, I want you to think for a moment about the attributes of God. We think of Him being loving; good; kind; caring; unselfish; sacrificial; protective; etc, but also, all of these things to every race and nationality, and to every God-honoring religious affiliation. When we (Christians) go about our day seeking to imitate these characteristics of God, we honor Him and support His reputation. However, how often do we stop and consider the opposite when we fail to live up to God’s standards? Ever stop to think that your damaging words not only hurt a Brother, but because your actions were not pleasing to God, or representative of what His character stands for, you may have damaged His reputation with the folk who witnessed, or were hurt by your actions? In verse 25 today, God basically said that He had to step in to save His reputation. Friends, when we knowingly, or unknowingly, do things that tear down God’s reputation, we are tearing down the chances of God getting through to those folk that walk away because of our actions. I believe that we should be holy, just as Christ is holy. When we aim towards holiness, and the overall likeness of Jesus, then God will be able to show His holiness through us to all nations, as indicated in verse 27. We have a reputation to maintain friends, a holy reputation. Are you there yet? You certainly can be, with God’s help!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we want to be just like You. I could go on with the excuses of why we are not succeeding at this, but I truly believe that until You become our primary focus in every aspect of our life, then we will act like those who are receiving too much of our attention. In this world we are bombarded by the attitudes and actions of folk that do not know You, and therefore led by the very likes of Satan himself. Please put us on guard today Lord Jesus. Protect us from the evil one, and give us wisdom, protection and guidance to live in the very likeness of our Lord and Savior, so that others may see, hear, believe and accept the One we call Master, Friend, and Savior of this world, AMEN!

Footnote

The Sovereignty of God

On 2016-08-042016-08-04 By Ed AlgreenIn God's Not Dead, Guidance, SovereignLeave a comment

Thursday, 2016-08-04

Scripture

Bible Reference: Job 38:12-13

Bible Text: 12 “Since your days began, have you ever commanded the morning, And caused the dawn to know its place, ¹³So that light may take hold of the corners of the earth And shake the wickedness out of it?

Bible Translation: Amplified Bible (AMP)

My Take

Isn’t it interesting how we could read the two verses shown above and we expect God to do those things every day, yet without stopping to realize the creativeness in God to think of doing these things, and the majestic power, beauty and usefulness of all that He does each and every day? Even more intriguing, yet disturbing it would be to imagine how impossible it would be to survive without these things – should there be any value at all in what the world (non-Christians) promotes about the non-existence of God. Friends, when we sit back and question the handiwork of God – too hot; too cold; too much rain; enough of the drought now; why a hurricane; or perhaps like Job – where we might question why did we lose this person in our life, or this asset that we saved for so long to purchase; are we not questioning the sovereignty of God and doubting His knowledge of what’s best for us – the very ones that He created in the first place? I believe that God welcomes us to share our feelings and our requests with Him. In fact, there is a Bible story of how He changed His mind on doing something because His servant pleaded his case with God. However, at the end of the day, I believe that only God has the ultimate power to control all aspects of our lives, so it behooves us to take the place of servant, then listen to God and obey His commands. Just like in our homes and schools there are rewards for doing good, I believe that God will be very loyal to His Word in the rewards that are coming for those who have accepted Jesus as Lord, and looking forward to eternity with God. Job was a man considered to be very strong in his faith, yet God had to get in his face to help him snap out of his depressing mood and self-pity. I pray that you will allow the Word to speak to you today and that It may renew a right spirit within you to love and serve God faithfully each day acknowledging the One who guides Your every step and protects you as you step.

Prayer

Lord, may we take our rightful place today and let You be God, just as You have the full capacity to be, as proven in so many instances in Your Word and in the lives of those we know and love. We need You every day dear Lord. May this day renew our hearts to draw on Your presence more and more. I ask these things in the powerful name of Jesus, AMEN!