Tag: peace

The Ultimate Rewards Program

On 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

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!

Meet The One In Charge

On By Ed AlgreenIn Awesome God, Control, CreatorLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2016-08-03

Scripture

Bible Reference: Job 38:4-11

Bible Text:  4 How did I lay the foundation for the earth? Were you there? 5 Doubtless you know who decided its length and width. 6 What supports the foundation? Who placed the cornerstone, 7 while morning stars sang, and angels rejoiced? 8 When the ocean was born, I set its boundaries 9 and wrapped it in blankets of thickest fog. 10 Then I built a wall around it, locked the gates, 11 and said, “Your powerful waves stop here! They can go no farther.”

Bible Translation: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take

God finally had enough of Job’s whining and accusations of wrongdoing by God, so He decided to give Job some perspective on who He really was, and still is today! Friends, I believe that anytime we feel like God has abandoned us, the book of Job would be a good book to reflect on. Further, if there was ever a time when you may have felt like you really had this ‘life’ thing figured out, I believe that this particular chapter, and conversation God had with Job, would be a great reminder of how you need to get a grip on yourself, open your heart and mind to what God has to say and make every effort to surrender the controls to your life back to God. We have excellent reminders here of how God carefully, intricately and powerfully put this planet together, then He created us to enjoy its many blessings. If He loves us that much, won’t He all the more take care of our problems, concerns and difficulties while we live here, if we would only humble ourselves and ask Him to? Let’s always remember how we got here, and how everything around us was created and placed here for our comfort and enjoyment. Let’s learn to honor God for who He is, and then enjoy the blessings as He showers us with His love and His many acts of mercy and grace!

Prayer

Father, You are so awesome, and take such good care of us each day, yet we are so quick to grumble and complain about the way we believe life should be for us. Please forgive us for our littleness Lord, for who are we to question a God like You? Please help us to always strive towards total humility to You and respectful towards everyone that You have created and placed besides us in life. Lord, we want to be just like You, but we have such a long way to go. Please shower us with Your power and Your grace today. We need You every hour and through every step of every day. Please be very evident in our lives today, for I ask these things in the wonderful 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!

Treated Unfairly?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Love of God, The Father's Love, The love of God, Unconditional loveLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2016-08-02

Scripture

Bible Reference: Job 37:23–24

Bible Text:  23–24  “Mighty God! Far beyond our reach! Unsurpassable in power and justice! It’s unthinkable that he’d treat anyone unfairly. So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all! If you’re wise, you’ll most certainly worship him.”

Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take

I believe that way too often we tend to look inward and feel sorry for ourselves. Way too often we tend to look at others, and quickly become envious of all that they have, compared to what we recognize in our gifts, talents and possessions. Then we tend to ponder why we are so undeserving. We identify with how Job was feeling after his ‘world’ was stripped away from him. Throughout this book of Job there are many lessons for us. In today’s verses, I believe it is important that we see that true friends are very honest with us, and they may not just tell us what they think we want to hear. It would have been much easier for Job’s friend to go along with the way that Job was feeling; or to make promises to Job that he may, or may not be capable, or willing to make a reality. Unfortunately, we do this all the time friends. We feel sorry for folk and tell them things like: “Don’t worry, everything’s gonna be alright”; or “I will pray for you”; or “I will come and visit you so we could talk”; or “You look so good that no one would ever imagine that you are serious ill”. However, when we are hurting, we tend to look inward and feel sorry for self. Like the world is against us, and that we are being treated so unfairly. I believe that the best thing a friend can do, is to help us get our eyes refocused on Jesus, and His undeniable love for us. We may never understand, at least at the time, why things are going the way they are, but if we can refocus on the love of God for us, that it is unchangeable, and unshaken by circumstances, and that He made us with great purpose in mind, then we might begin to remember all the ways that God has blessed us, and is continuing to watch over us and care for us. Friends, the adversary (Satan) is doing his very best to distract us from the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ, and the many ways that Jesus loves us. What better way to do this than to tap away at our mind and try to tear down the very blessings that God is showering upon us every day? Jesus loves us more than anyone or anything we could possibly imagine, and this was not just for the period He sacrificed His life for us on the cross, but right straight through eternity. So let us therefore, always fix our eyes on the Author and the Finisher of our faith; the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end; JESUS, the Holy Son of God!

Prayer

Lord, thank You for reminding me that “poor me’ is not a term used by folk who are children of the most high God; the King of all kings; the Savior of this world! We are so blessed and set apart as such a holy people, that we must always keep our eyes fixed on the Author of all these blessings. There is a lot of ‘Light’ at the end of this sometimes ‘dark’ world that we live in – the Light of the world, is Jesus! As our Light; our Savior and our Lord, please help Your humble servants to keep our eyes and our minds fixed on You, and not allow Satan to interfere with our happiness. We need You daily Lord, and we look forward to eternity with You loving Father, 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!

Stand Your Ground

On By Ed AlgreenIn Stand Firm, Take a stand1 Comment

Thursday, 2016-07-28

Scripture

Bible Reference: Revelation 13:9-10

Bible Text:   9-10 Are you listening to this? They’ve made their bed; now they must lie in it. Anyone marked for prison goes straight to prison; anyone pulling a sword goes down by the sword. Meanwhile, God’s holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground.

Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take

If I was to compare a person to a Chameleon lizard, I would probably say that it’s because the individual fits into any crowd as if he belonged there. The unfortunate part is that I might automatically assume that they are of the same attitude and character as the crowd also. Often we might fit into this lifestyle, for fear of indifference that may lead to persecution, abuse or even death. Our scripture is reminding us that we are to be passionate about our faith, to make sure that we stand true to God in good times, around good people, and in tough times while around people who would just as soon see us disappear. Friends, if we are unable to remain faithful to our God in both of the above scenarios, then we should question the depth of our relationship with God. We often teach around our churches that our mission field really begins the moment we walk outside the doors of the church building. The challenge for each child of God is to be as bold about our stand for Christ outside of the church as we are inside. Are you able to take a stand for Christ and be transparent about your faith, no matter what audience you are surrounded by? While I believe that God wants us to identify with our unsaved family and friends, I also believe that He wants them to truly identify us for who we claim to be, whether in the presence of like saints, or in a crowd that opposes the very thought of Christ. Where do you stand friend? Is it obvious to the world whose you are? Is your life a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ whether you open your mouth or not? Are you ready to take a stand for the Lord? If your friends know that you are married, why would you not want them to meet the One that you have surrender the reins of your life to? Take a stand friend!

Prayer

Lord, if our football teams caved in to opposition as easily as we do, they would never win a football game. Yet we expect to win the lost for the kingdom while still living like the world. Please forgive us for belittling the sovereignty and deity of our Savior. For a life totally dedicated to You, it should be very obvious to the world whose we are, and for whom we will take a stand. May we never be found in contempt. Lord may You be glorified in us today, even while we may be in the presence of friends who have not accepted You yet. I ask these things in the name of Jesus, my Savior and 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!

Hope Even In Your Storm

On By Ed AlgreenIn Hope, Peace, TrustLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2016-07-26

Scripture

Bible Reference: Matthew 14:28-31

Bible Text:  28 Then Peter called to him: “Sir, if it is really you, tell me to come over to you, walking on the water.” 29 “All right,” the Lord said, “come along!” So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and rescued him. “O man of little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take

Many of us face situations that seem virtually impossible to us. Our challenges appear so far out of reach that we often worry if we could ever overcome them and go on to live a ‘normal’ life. Let’s look at some attributes of Peter in the story told through the few verses chosen today, for he also faced some challenges that seemed way beyond human ability. Have a look at how Peter’s situation was handled and apply them to your ‘storm’ today:

  • Have courage – Peter knew that he served an awesome God, so stepping out of the boat onto water, which he had been around long enough to know that it was not of the consistency to walk on, yet because he knew Jesus, and because Jesus said ‘come to me’ then he was confident that Jesus would provide the means. May I encourage you to trust the Master more than what may appear obvious from your circumstances? Have courage to step out in faith and do what Jesus commands of you;
  • Have faith – To have have faith in God is to be ready to follow what He commands you to do, not what seems logical or practical to you. You may have messed up already and therefore in the position you are. Ask God what He would have you to do, then place your faith totally in Him and do as He commands. Because of his faith, Peter walked on water! What will you be willing to do? 
  • Stay focused – The distractions of this world often gets us in the bad positions where we feel hopeless, so it is important that we keep our eyes on Jesus and not let the world mislead and distract us back into a state of hopelessness. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink – falling back into his human, hopeless state. Only in Christ will we find our answers friend.
  • Doubt – When we take our eyes off the prize – the encouragement and confidence of  having our hand supported by the Creator of our universe, we submit to the mere power of self, and return to doubting if there truly is a better way. There’s no need to doubt friend, we serve a God who placed this world into existence, raised the dead back to life, caused the blind to see again and made the lame to walk again, to name just a few of His miracles. This is the same God that we serve and depend on, and there is no need to doubt His love or His abilities.
  • Praise God – There’s a really neat song entitled ‘Praise You in the Storm‘. Let’s pray that our hope in Christ will be so strong that we could praise God in the good times, and in our storms. If we have faith in Him, and we know His awesome abilities, then we can do this friend! Our situation may seem impossible and hopeless, but our God is not. Let us therefore keep our eyes fixed on Him, the author and finisher of our faith!

In this life there will be storms, but be reassured friend – there will always be our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has demonstrated His love for us on the cross, and will continue to demonstrate that love everyday as He watches over us! Trust Him, won’t you?

Prayer

Lord God, You are our strength; our stable, proven force; our fortress and our deliverer in whom we can place our faith and our trust. We are Yours Jesus, and yet we doubt. Please forgive us, and renew a right spirit within us oh Lord. Our situations are varied, and some seem very impossible to us. As we come to You, our Rock, may fear and doubt be overcome with faith and confidence. Please touch Your children once again today dear Lord. I ask these things in Your holy and precious name, 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!

How to Find ‘Real LIFE’

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Biblical Decisions, HeavenLeave a comment

Saturday, 2016-07-23

Scripture

Bible Reference: Ezekiel 20:11,13

Bible Text: 11 There I gave them my decrees and regulations so they could find life by keeping them.

13 ……. They wouldn’t obey my regulations even though obedience would have given them life.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

No matter if we are talking to friends, listening to advice from our doctor or watching television, there is always tons of advice for us on how to improve our lifestyles, improve our health, enjoy our lives, look as good as the top model, etc. However, as with all other aspects of life, we have access to life’s Instruction Manual (the Bible), and It has answers for all walks of life for us. And I don’t know about you friend, but I would much prefer listening to God, who created us and loves us enough to have sacrificed His very Son for us, than to listen to a product manufacturer compelled to sell their product in order to save their company. So let’s take a peak into what God has placed in His Word for us. He reminded the prophet Ezekiel about His love, and all that He had done, for the Israelites. He also reminded him of how He had given the Israelites very special instructions so that they could preserve the awesome life He had brought them to. It was a simple thing of: here’s my instructions to life, now obey these and you will have all those aspects of ‘life’ that I have promised you. Does this not sound familiar friends? God created the beautiful planet of earth for His children that He would later create. He even took things into consideration that He knew we might find fault with, for there are various places where we can ‘plant our roots’ with just the right temperature that we enjoy! God then gave us life’s Instruction Manual – His Word – The Bible. Follow this, and you will not only find peace, love, joy and happiness while on earth, but you will also have everlasting joy in Heaven with our Father. Of course everyone in their right mind would assume that God’s children would automatically do these things, for ‘life’ could never get any better than promised by God. Unfortunately everyone with a sound mind will quickly recognize that we are still very much like the Israelites that God referred to in verse 13 above. In the greatest love that I can can possibly offer friend, I must warn you that the Israelites who disobeyed God and didn’t follow His decrees, never saw the wonderful gift of the Holy Land. This will be no different for those on earth who choose to disobey the Word of God – we will never see the gift of Heaven promised to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and obey the wonder gift of God’s special instructions to us – The Bible. Where do you stand on this Brother? Will you receive the prize Sister? Why not settle this today friends? Speak with God about your decision, won’t you?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for providing the means for me to have eternal life in heaven with You and the Father one day. Thank You for my friends who are reading this blog today and have not only been rescued from sin, like the Israelites were rescued from Egypt, but I pray that unlike the Israelites, each of us will dig deep into Your Word each day and not just look for Your glorious promises, but also be challenged to live according to Your teachings/decrees. As this occurs, I pray that those that we come into contact with each day will be impacted with the love of Christ that will be evident in everything we say or do. It’s all about You God. May we look and act just like You. I ask these things in greatest humility and love, 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 http://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!

The Gospel is for Everyone

On By Ed AlgreenIn Eternal Life, SalvationLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2016-06-22

Scripture

Bible Reference: Acts 10:42–46

Bible Text:   42 God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead. 43 Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name.

44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening. 45 Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. 46 Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God.

Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take

The Gospel speaks so clearly to us individually that if we’re not careful we may easily forget where God has brought us from, and we may begin losing sight of how the gospel tells of God’s love for everyone – even those who we may tend to feel is so undeserving. A good example of this is included in our scripture today, for Peter saw God reach down and touch even the Gentiles through His Word. Now in the eyes of Peter, and the other Jewish followers traveling with him, this was impossible for them to fathom. Yes, they heard the prophets foretell that ‘everyone’ who placed their faith in Jesus Christ would receive forgiveness of sin and be saved from eternal damnation, but never did they ever imagine that this included even the dejected and undeserving Gentiles, that were often looked down on by the Jews? Friends, I don’t believe that anything has changed about this theory, for I believe that still today we may exclude certain people from the gospel because of certain prejudices that we may have personally inherited, or perhaps developed. There are times that we feel downright intimidated by some folk – perhaps the less educated may feel inadequate in communicating with the higher educated folk, or they may feel like more educated folk may find it extremely challenging to simply believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved – without a full explanation on how that works. May I remind you, that Jesus asked us to share, not analyze and then develop a story that you feel the person might better identify with. Think about this: what would there be to question about the simplicity of the gospel message? Lots, right? But does it change the fact that God created us all alike, saw the need to provide a Savior for us to overcome the sin and grime that we resorted to on our own? But God loved us enough that He didn’t want to see us live aimlessly without Him and die without hope of ever being with Him in heaven? That’s our story friends, and because of the freedom given to us to live on this earth, our unfortunate destiny will be Hell, if we don’t accept that free gift of eternal life from God. So the accepting, and the change is necessary for us all, and the gift of eternal life is available for us all. Let’s not allow Satan to distract us from sharing that story with all who will listen and believe – without exception. Every nationality, every race, every man, woman and child – we all need Jesus in order to one day be with He and the Father in heaven. If you have already accepted Jesus as Lord of your life, then consider joining me as we love others towards making the same decision in their life. Everyone!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You provided the way, and I believe that You have not given up on us. Please touch the lives of those who will read this devotional today in search of more happiness, more purpose and a brighter future than what they see possible here on this earth. May we, Your messengers, be filled with Your love today, so that those that we come into contact with, will be impacted with the hope, love and joy that is ours in Christ Jesus. As You are lifted up today, may all men, women and children be drawn to You. For I ask this in the precious name of Jesus, my Savior and 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!

 

We Have Not, Because…..

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, Envy, Jealousy, Prayer2 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: James 4:2–3
Today’s Bible Text: You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: I believe that many of us read these verses and sit back in disbelief that folk would actually do this! Whoa, wait a moment…. would we ever think that God had a message through James for everyone else…. but not for us? Something can’t be right with that analysis Brother, Sister, friend. So let’s look a little closer at this. I believe that fights, arguments and many evils in life can be traced back to times when we have felt that we were not treated fairly, or obtained our desires. In fact, we become downright envious, with a strong sense of covetousness, when we look at what others have, compared to what we have, or can afford, or perhaps that we didn’t see as a priority to purchase. Our lacking could also be a scripturally based issue, for perhaps we never saw the need to ask God for it! But what normally happens when these resulting feelings well up inside of us? Friends, this is the root of conflict and strife. In fact, there are feelings that sometimes overtake us and opens the door for Satan to push us into actions that we never thought possible. It might be quarrelling, fighting, or even conspiring to do things out of spite that could lead to crimes we never thought possible. But catch this thought friends, James is suggesting that we don’t have because we simply don’t ask God for it. Is he kidding? Of course we told God what we had to have? Ooops, did I just say that??? Friends, I believe that God is warning us that instead of looking horizontal at what others have, we need to start looking up – to God, for all that He would bless us with. Remember, we are His child, so He knows exactly what we need, and what we could handle, that won’t cause us to lose track of the important things in life. You see, we should never have those things that will distract us and cause us to lose our witness, so can we learn to give Him thanks in ALL things and in all of life’s circumstances – please? I believe that most often we tend to try and satisfy our deep, selfish desires when we ask God for things. It might even sound legitimate, such as more time, more money or more energy so that we could do the things we desire to do for God. But what if we asked instead for more desire for what God promises or commands of us? What if we asked for less desire to do those things that are contrary to His will for us? Which of these might bear the motive that best aligns with God’s will for us? It may be time for us to ‘Have A Little Talk With Jesus’ – a sincere and honest talk with Him as we seek His will, without any personal desires getting in the way of that. 

Prayer: Dear God, we are so twisted, and distracted by the things of this world, and our selfish desires. Is it any wonder why we often feel so unworthy of being used by You? Lord, You created us to worship You, obey You and example Your ways before a lost and dying world. Please help us to refocus on Your will for us, instead of our selfish desires for things that we think will benefit us. Please help us to make the adjustments necessary to focus more fully and more obediently on You and Your perfect will for us. Please help us to put self aside and allow You to minister in and through us to those who need You as Lord of their life. Please touch the lives of Your children – Your followers – Your servants today, so that we may be usable instruments in Your hands. I ask these things in the matchless 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

Hope For Tomorrow!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Hope, SurrenderLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE – The Living Bible (TLB) ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ~ That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won’t last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever! So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

THOUGHTS: No one had as much opposition as Paul did, yet he found hope in knowing that there was great hope in all that he was doing. A greater purpose; a God to please – one who sacrificed His very own Son to bring hope, salvation and ultimate love for mankind. In fact, as much as we despise rules/commands/guidelines, yet it is obvious that God’s commands are to help us; mold us into His image; and prepare us for the day when we graduate from this earth into our new, eternal home, with Jesus in Heaven! Friends, when we realize that kind of hope, when we are reminded of the joy that is ours to see our blessed Savior face-to-face and receive His blessing for things we have done, or people we have touched because of His love inside of us, then we have a new determination to serve Him all the more while here on earth. I am in no way minimizing your struggles here on earth Brother, nor the backbiting, envy and strife that you may face Sister, but what I am telling you is that no matter what we face today, it is nothing compared to the joy that will be ours when we are welcomed into the presence of Jesus! There’s an old hymn entitled ‘Oh That Will Be Glory For Me“! Friends, there may be trouble for a time, but if You are a committed child of God, there is joy that comes in the morning. So let’s endure the day, knowing that there is hope ahead for the Christian. This is known as one of the most stressful times of the year. A time that more folk become terribly depressed. May I remind you, as I have in my thoughts so far, these struggles are only for a moment. We have brighter days ahead! Much brighter, if you have invited Jesus into your heart as your personal Savior and Lord! If you haven’t made this step friend, please read my ‘Footnote’ carefully and know that I am available to pray with you or help you in any way that I can.

PRAYER: Lord, I rejoice in the fact that there is hope for the Christian! I thank You that You gave Your all for me. Please help me to not complain about the challenges of life that I face in this world, because they are nothing compare to the persecution that Paul faced, or the torture that You went through for me. The great news is that, like Paul, I too can survive the stresses of today knowing that my hope lies in what is yet to come – graduation to heaven where I will live eternally with You! ‘Oh I want To See You, Look Upon Your Face‘! Lord, please remind Your children of the hope that is ours, so that we might easily deal with the issue while here on this earth. Please especially humble the hearts of those yet to acknowledge You as Lord. May they find peace in knowing that they can surrender their lives to You even today. Tomorrow may be too late, as You have not assured us of tomorrow. I rejoice in know Jesus as my Savior and Lord. I pray that all of my readers can do the same, or make a decision today that will give them that assurance. I ask these things in the wonderful name of Jesus, the new-born King, 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! 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!

The Rest of the Story!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Choices, Eternity, SurrenderLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (The Contemporary English Version – Revelation 21:3-8): 3 I heard a loud voice shout from the throne: God’s home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. 4 He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever. 5 Then the one sitting on the throne said: I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted. 6 Everything is finished! I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give water from the life-giving fountain to everyone who is thirsty. 7 All who win the victory will be given these blessings. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 8 But I will tell you what will happen to cowards and to everyone who is unfaithful or dirty-minded or who murders or is sexually immoral or uses witchcraft or worships idols or tells lies. They will be thrown into that lake of fire and burning sulfur. This is the second death.

THOUGHTS: For those of you who have followed Nuggets for a while will remember that we covered from the creation of the world, to the birth of Jesus, through the miracles and life changing events that occurred during His short life, then through His death/crucifixion and resurrection. All of this happened in perfect timing, and this information has been widely available for years, to show that although we are born into a world of sin and perhaps little hope, we realize when we read the last book of the Bible that all these happenings were for a reason. They brought us hope and a promise, that if we surrender our lives to Jesus – God’s sacrificial gift to man, then we would be included in the family of God referred to in verse 3. The whole plan comes together friends! For those who wisely surrendered their lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ during their lifetime, we can look forward to having God live among us in an atmosphere of peace, comfort and tranquility – no more tears, death, suffering, crying or pain. Everything new! Everything as we know it today will be finished! Fortunately we are also warned about what will happen to those who choose to do life their own way. In verse 8 these folk are given just the opposite treatment. Friends, we know the Bible is true, for it is one of the most widely printed and studied books there is, plus its content has been proven over and over again. In the financial world, if we know of impending doom we try to avoid it by investing much more conservatively. In our physical environments, we try to protect ourselves when we are warned of hurricanes and/or other acts of God. I am very concerned for the millions of people who have chosen to accept the latter conditions mentioned in verse 8. There are choices that our family and friends can make to improve their eternal destiny. Are we praying enough, or encouraging enough, or doing enough to help them make wiser choices today Christians? The end of the story is very exciting for those who have made arrangements to be in the presence of Jesus and His Father! It can be the same for those of you reading this who are not sure of your position/destiny. Please follow the steps in my Footnote to receive help and sure up your position about heaven or hell as your destination, and God vs Satan for your eternal master. I would welcome the opportunity to help!

PRAYER: Thank You Father for providing everything for Your children. It is unfortunate, but we believe that there are still many who have chosen to ignore Your gift of eternal life and settle for the Lake of Fire referenced in our scripture this morning. Many of these are our family, friends and coworkers, and we are very concerned about their sanity in this kind of decision. I realize that Satan is busy at work, distracting his followers from the truth of which I have referenced here today, but I am blessed and assured to know that Christians are following the same Savior today as will lead us on that day referenced in verse 3 above! Oh Lord, please use Your saints to be an influence in the lives of those who do not call You Lord. Please keep us from being stumbling blocks, but to stay firm in our belief and always lift up the name of Jesus in all that we do and say. May lives be impacted for You today, is my humble plea oh Lord. All this I ask in the bountiful 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 read through Biblical truths on How To Know Jesus, 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 www.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! 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!