Tag: Pain

Active In Ministry, or Complaining?

On 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: Tursday, June 15, 2023, and I was blessed to be at O’Brien, 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 Contemporary English Version (CEV) IS FOUND IN Nehemiah 4:1-3

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: When Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, heard that we were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he became angry and started insulting our people. In front of his friends and the Samaritan army he said, “What is this feeble bunch of Jews trying to do? Are they going to rebuild the wall and offer sacrifices all in one day? Do they think they can make something out of this pile of scorched stones?” Tobiah from Ammon was standing beside Sanballat and said, “Look at the wall they are building! Why, even a fox could knock over this pile of stones.”

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: Ministering in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is not for the weak or for those who can’t handle ridicule. It’s not because our generation has become hardened, obstinate, or determined to destroy Christians, but merely because Satan is constantly seeking to destroy the work of God, and he brings his army into action to kill, steal and destroy the work of the innocent endeavoring to promote their awesome God. Unfortunately, this is not just a story from the days of Nehemiah, but it is still happening in our churches today. Let’s anticipate blessings as we study how God has already helped others in much the same way that we need His help today.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Some would say that you are only criticized if you are doing something worthwhile. I would add that if you are never being criticized, then, it could be that you are just sitting around doing nothing worthwhile. When you take a right stand, you are going to be criticized. Unfortunately, I believe that mankind is very challenged to criticize on something they are very passionate about, without displaying that passion through their questions, help and or suggestions. Passion often comes across as being upset, being frustrated with the individual, or even being angry with the individual. But in the case of our Bible story today, it seems like Sanballat, and his men, felt threatened by the Jews who were rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. Think about it, if you or I heard about an individual, or a group, who started attending our church, but they came with a history of successes in ministry or in life circumstances, we too would probably keep a close eye on them for any advancements, suggestions, or efforts to take over. Isn’t it unfortunate that we become satisfied in our rut? We realize that God could do a whole lot more through His people than we are prepared to put forth, but we’ve done all that we believe we should do, or we are just plain out tired and overworked, or we are just blinded to new visions of what God can truly do through us. Often lack of feeding on the Word of God will do this to us! But for the one who is diligent about the work of the Lord, let me encourage you, that what God has in store for you, no man can take it from you. Friends, I believe that if we are persistent in the Word of God, and faithful in our communication with the Father, He will fill us with more success in our ministry than we ever thought possible. There wouldn’t be a need for us to stop and pout about what others are doing, for we will be busy in accomplishing all that God has chosen to accomplish through us for His ultimate glory! There’s no time for complaining and whining before God, that’s a tool of the devil to impede the work and distract sinners looking for the peace and handiwork of God. As His agents here on earth, we must be about our Father’s work, not helping to add success to the enemy – Satan.

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: While others are waiting to tear down the work God has ordained for us, God is choosing to use us to touch the lives of sinners looking for peace in the midst of their storms of life. Be willing servants, and let God have His way dear friends!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, I am thankful that You have chosen to work through simple, but willing servants such as myself. No seminary, and no special skills in the eyes of educated men here on earth, but a willing and surrendered soul willing to allow You to have Your will and way in our lives for the sake of the unsaved reaching out in desperation for a Savior who could redirect their path away from the sins of this world. Only You can save a soul, and only You can direct a man, used to the sin of this world, into the glories of heaven where You are. Please Lord, draw the attention of other believers and myself to remember and recognize the pain of sin that the unsaved may bear, for I believe that it is then that we might see their need for a loving Lord who sits ready to receive them, should they choose to surrender their life to You. The world is hurting, and as children of the Almighty God, we have the answer to this horrific pain. and we should be sharing with the unsaved at every opportunity. Please open their eyes, and humble our hearts as helpful children of the King. Allow the unsaved to see Jesus today. For I ask this in the name, and power of Jesus, my Savior and Lord. 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 near by 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!

Jesus Wished That Mothers Would Never Witness This

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Thursday, 2021-10-21
WRITTEN AT: Kissimmee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 23:26-30
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 26 …..The guards laid Jesus’ cross on Simon’s shoulders and forced him to walk behind Jesus, carrying his cross.
27 Massive crowds gathered to follow Jesus, including a number of women, who were wailing with sorrow over him. 28 Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. You should be weeping for yourselves and your children. 29 The day is coming when it will not be the women with children who are blessed but those who are childless. Then you will say, ‘The barren women are the most fortunate! Those who have never given birth and never nursed a child—they are more fortunate than we, for they will never see their children put to death!’ 30 And the people will cry out for the mountains and hills to fall on top of them to hide them from all that is to come.

APPLICATION: I am convinced that God knows what we need, and when we need it. Lord willing, my wife and I will attend the funeral of a 17 yr old son of a great friend of ours later today. The boy was shot in his face, and lived by way of machines for just about 5 days. As I read the Scripture this morning, and reminded of all that Jesus endured, for our sake, it seems like He wanted the women who wailed for Him along His path to Calvary, to know that days will get even worse – to the extent that some women will be happy that they never had children. It is very interesting that as we watch the evening news we tend to say the same thing to one another: ‘surely things can get no worse’. My greatest desire is that no matter how much worse things might get, I pray that God can still smile as we show the kind of compassion Jesus showed to the women who mourned as He passed by. Can’t you imagine that these women were probably related in some way to some of the Pharisees who demanded the death of Jesus? Yet they were sad about what was ahead for this man of God. He did nothing but heal, teach, feed and love on the people, yet there were charges trumped up against Him to insure that He was removed from society. Today I believe that God is challenging us in two ways, based on this Scripture:
1). Aim to be honest and loving to mankind, and never like the Pharisees who were determined to get rid of Jesus because of the good He did in their community. You may say that you would never imitate the Pharisees, but let me ask you to consider: How much do you promote the work of the Lord in your community? How much do you encourage your local pastors and church leaders to continue the work of the Lord in your church and community? Do you attend church regularly so you could support and encourage others in their walk with the Lord? To tear down your pastor, your church and your friends from an honest relationship with the Lord, is as bad as what the Pharisees did to Jesus. Do you read your Bible daily so you could be encouraged and led by the words of Jesus?
2). Be compassionate to others, like Jesus was – even on His way to Calvary. Are you able to do this in the presence of your enemies, or those who despitefully use and abuse you? It is always easy to be like Jesus when in the presence of our friends and family, but I believe that Jesus can give to us strength and boldness to also follow His example when confronted by evil, hatred and revenge. It becomes a whole lot more obvious that God is working through us in those cases.
I sincerely believe that Jesus would wish for us that we would never be faced with hatred, anger or sin of any sort. But I also believe that Jesus would wish that we all stand ready to display the character of Jesus in everything we do or say, regardless of our circumstances. Please consider connecting with God again today my friend, and draw close to Him, be used by Him, and honor Him in all that you do, so that He may be lifted up, praised and glorified!

BLESSINGS NOTED: Jesus showed compassion even on His way to Calvary where mankind showed their greatest act of hatred and revenge on One who loved them and cared for them. Oh that we could show the same compassion on those in our circle who need to see Jesus in action.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I am reminded of something that Paul shared – it often feels like two opposing forces are at work in us. We know that You would have Your children love like You loved; embrace everyone just like You showed mercy to all; and help everyone along just like You gave each of us strength and encouragement to go on each day. However, Satan is also tugging at us to promote his evil habits. Please teach us to pray each day for strength to overcome the evil one. Please help us to read Your Word each day for encouragement and wisdom from the Great I Am. Oh Lord, I believe that greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world. May we be convinced of that in every scenario of life. 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 might 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 subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by 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!