Tag: Praise

Your Call To Ministry is Personal

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

DATE POSTED Sunday, 2021-10-10
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Samuel 3:8-11
TRANSLATION: New Century Version (NCV)

BIBLE TEXT: 8 The Lord called Samuel for the third time. Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “I am here. You called me.”
Then Eli realized the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So he told Samuel, “Go to bed. If he calls you again, say, ‘Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in bed.
10 The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel said, “Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.”
11 The Lord said to Samuel, “Watch, I am going to do something …..

APPLICATION: As a young boy I remember hearing a lot about ghosts, especially if a townsperson was buried that day! Often this would frighten kids enough to force them into refuge pretty close to mom and dad, especially for that night! Working around Eli, I’m sure that Samuel must have heard a lot about Eli’s encounters with God, so I wonder if, in the back of his mind, he didn’t suspect that it was God he was hearing from, and not a ghost, especially when he senses God standing over him. However, since this was a message about Eli, I could also believe that God wanted Eli to know that He was dealing with his student, Samuel. The interesting thing is, that Eli did not hear God speaking to Samuel, so he knew that God’s message was intended for Samuel and not for himself. Generally when we are speaking to just one person, it is a personal message intended just for them. By the third time God spoke to Samuel, he felt God standing over him, and just as earlier calls, God called him again. Based on advice from Eli, Samuel knew how to respond, and I am so impressed with the specific words used by Samuel. I believe that the application for us today, is that we must not shrug off the call of God on our life. For some this might be through signs and wonders; or through other children of God who will validate something that we suspected for a time, based on the work of the Holy Spirit in our life; yet for others it may be that God will point us to a specific passage of Scripture that affirms Your plan for us. Friends, God may choose to speak to us in a still small voice, like He did with Samuel, but to really get our attention, He may speak very boldly to us in a way that we will know that it is God Almighty. I have heard of stories where men have lived very miserable lives, because they chose to ignore the voice of God and the path He was leading them to. Let me encourage you today, that no matter what you have personally planned for tomorrow, be willing to set it all aside as naught if you receive a word from God. Listen to His voice; look for the confirmations throughout your day, and act on His instructions knowing that if God takes you to an assignment, He will surely help you through it. Remember the stories of Jesus sending His disciple out on mission? He told them to take nothing with them, yet He also told them to stay for as long as it takes. Jesus wanted them to learn to depend on Him for all good and necessary things that they needed in order to do His will. The disciples proved to us that it could be done, just be willing, like Samuel, to surrender your plans to follow the will of the Father. “I’m Your servant Lord, I’m listening and willing to obey whatever You would have me to do.” Saying those words to God will place you plum in the middle of God’s plan, and although He will change and remold you, I doubt if you will ever be bored again! Know that God could use anyone, so don’t assume that you misunderstood the call if He has other ministry opportunities for you that may, or may not include preaching, teaching or pastoring. ‘I’ll work til Jesus comes’ is the title of an old Sunday School chorus that was undoubtedly written by someone who surrendered it all to a call from Jesus on their life! Listen for God’s call, and be willing to obey His commands, dear child of God!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Eli was the priest, so Samuel could have assumed that God was talking to him, but He was not. Our call is personal and intended for only us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit! Just listen, obey, and don’t find excuses to wiggly out of what God has in store for you.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please forgive us when we assume that there is nothing we can do in Your kingdom work here on earth. Moses tried to wiggly out of his call, yet he wound up leading a multitude of people across a desert land because of his faith in the power of God. That same power is available to those who accept Your call today, so I pray that You will change our hearts and minds from the inside out. When we accept Your call, it’s no longer us doing the work, but You. Many of us need that reassurance today Lord, not because we doubt Your power, but often we are bashful, or we might be perfectionists who must insure that everything is done to our perfection, or we feel totally inadequate for the job assignment. Please make Your will very clear to each reader today, and fill us with Your power to accept Your call and complete the mission as You carefully instruct us to do. Oh that Your kingdom will experience growth as You challenge us, and use us for Your glory. 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!

God’s Word To You Could Save You and Your Household

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

Saturday, 2021-10-09

Bible Reference: John 4:50-53
Translation: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Bible Text: 50 Jesus answered, “Go. Your son will live.”
The man believed what Jesus told him and went home. 51 On the way home, the man’s servants came and met him. They said, “Your son is well.”
52 The man asked, “What time did my son begin to get well?”
They answered, “It was about one o’clock yesterday when the fever left him.”
53 The father knew that one o’clock was the same time that Jesus had said, “Your son will live.” So the man and everyone in his house believed in Jesus.

OBSERVATION: In his time of need, this official of the king knew of only one man that could make a difference in the life of his son, and it wasn’t the king’s best medical officer, nor the best magician of the king. However, the man had heard of Jesus, so he set out to find Him. Fortunately in our time of need, we do seek after Jesus. Sometimes this encounter makes an awesome change in our life, and even in the lives of those that we influence. As we meditate on the Word of God, let us seek to apply it to our lives. It may very well influence others.

APPLICATION: There are times of desperation and urgent need, when we reach out to whatever form of help that we could think of, to help find relief or healing. I have a relative whose wife was struggling for her life. Several suggestions were made about getting this dear lady to a certain hospital, where they may be able to help her. Without insurance, the hospital required $100,000 in cash before they would accept this patient. To this young man, this sounded like $1,000,000, because he didn’t have anything close to that, nor did he have a clue where he might get it in time to save his dearly beloved wife. However he still tried to find the money through various phone calls. This official in our story was in a similar position to that of my relative. He was helpless, and didn’t know where to turn to next for the required help. Having heard of Jesus, the official sought after him, and traveled almost 17 miles to a town where he heard Jesus may be headed to. Based on the response from Jesus, I believe that this man, or his king, may have been among those who at one time sought after Jesus for proof of who He was, or in the works He was capable of. However Jesus knew this man’s heart, much like He knows intimately about ours. For the official, his faith was tested like never before, for Jesus didn’t drop everything and follow the man home to his son, but he merely sent him home, telling him that his son will live. Wow, what would you have done with that? Can you imagine the pooched out lips and the sunken feeling deep onside in knowing that Jesus would not even consider coming with you to lay hands on your dying relative? But I believe that Jesus knew everything about this situation and so he arranged for this man’s servants to meet him on the way and cheer him up with the news that the healing hand of Jesus came over his son, just like he had asked, and just at the time Jesus told him his daughter was healed! Think with me today beyond the joy, and the celebration over this awesome news, and feel with me what this man must have felt. For all these years he had probably mocked Jesus, and may have even worked together with his king on how they might capture Jesus, but to imagine that Jesus would look beyond the sin, and past the history of this man, and to penetrate his heart with insight for the love of the Savior who would meet him in his time of need! This official was probably not recognized by the religious community, other than he was the one who was out to destroy them, yet Jesus knew, and met, his most intimate need. Oh my loving Savior, what awesome love and grace You have for all those who call on You! Through healing this man’s son, the official came to know Jesus personally – both he and his household. What about you my friend, are you listening, watching and reaching out to Jesus today for a need, whether related to your personal , health or spiritual afflictions? Something inside causes you to look towards Jesus in your time of need. Allow me to suggest that God sends His Spirit to work in you and draw you unto the Master. In and of our own sinful selves, you may never think of looking to God. So when you find yourself reaching out to God, please know that it is only because of the Spirit of God dealing in your life and drawing you to Himself. Thank God for loving even you and wanting a relationship with you! Are you deserving of that, probably not, but please answer that call while Jesus is working in you. I can assure you that you will never regret reaching out to Jesus. Try Him and prove me right, won’t you?

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for looking beyond my sin, seeing my need, and drawing me unto Yourself. I am very concerned about relatives and friends who have heard Your call, and continue to ignore You or refuse to answer Your call. In our story today we are told that this man and his whole household were saved because of his obedience in accepting Your call on his life. I wonder who in our families are being hindered by our disobedience and disregard of the call on our lives? Please help us Lord to be obedient to Your voice and Your call on our lives. Help us to never be a stumbling block to a child, a loved one or a friend who might be looking up to us and waiting for us to make our move. Please don’t become impatient with us Lord, but continue to soften hearts so that we may surrender to You before it’s a day too late. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org 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 or listening to this devotional, please go to 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. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. 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!

Dedicate It Back To God

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

DATE POSTED Friday, 2021-10-08
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Samuel 1:25-28
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 25 After the sacrifice they took the child to Eli.
26 “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked him. “I am the woman who stood here that time praying to the Lord! 27 I asked him to give me this child, and he has given me my request; 28 and now I am giving him to the Lord for as long as he lives.” So she left him there at the Tabernacle for the Lord to use.

APPLICATION: How many times has Satan caused you to look at your tithe check and question yourself about all that you could use that extra money on? Don’t be pious, for I know it happens. It’s the same way with non-tithers who Satan convinces that they own it all and there is no reason for them to give it up for those at the church to use and/or abuse. However, this application today really impacted me deeply. We tend to pray and pray about something that we want, or think that we must have. Often God will bless us with our request, but then life just goes on – as normal – without us returning to the altar in thanksgiving to God, much less returning the gift/blessing, or a portion thereof to God. Hannah was mocked and poked fun at for being childless for so many years. But when visiting the temple, she became so engrossed in intense prayer about the matter, that the temple priest, Eli, thought she must have been drunk to just kneel at the altar with her lips moving. Hannah cleared up the matter with Eli, and respectfully thanked him for his concern. Hannah made a promise to God that she would dedicate her son to the work of the Lord, if she could be blessed to give birth to one. Within two years Hannah had given birth to a son and felt like Samuel was ready to be left with Eli. She and her husband dedicated their only child to the Lord, and left him at the temple, as promised. It’s at this point that we should stop and ponder how we would have felt parting from our only child at such a tender age. But friends, we must also consider what could possibly have given cause for us to reconsider what we promised to the Lord. Any other reason, would have given cause for us to tell God that we were only kidding and didn’t really mean what we promised, or stand boldly before God and say ‘no matter what I promised back when I was desperate, I cannot proceed with my promise.’ I believe this Scripture should inspire us to give unto God all that we ever promised, and all that the Bible teaches we should give to Him. There is nothing too good for God, and we serve such an awesome God that He is constantly looking for ways to bless us tenfold for our commitment to give to Him sacrificially, gladly and with a humble heart. Please remember that God gives us everything we have, so giving back to Him is just offering some of His own gifts right back to Him. Samuel grew into a very powerful and good judge, and Hannah was blessed with more kids to take the place of the one she gave back to God. Don’t you know that God will also bless you immensely in return for your giving to Him?

BLESSING(S) NOTED: A promise was made, and a promise was kept, even though it resulted in a couple surrendering their only child up to the Lord at under 2 years of age. The child, Samson, and his parents, Hannah and Elkanah were each blessed for their sacrifice. You can’t out-give God!

PRAYER: Lord, may my readers and I be blessed with giving hearts like Hannah and Elkanah. We are quick to ask you for every little thing, but I pray that we will never forget to follow through on our promises, and that we will always give generously to You in return for all that we are blessed to receive. Thank You for giving, up to and including, Your very own Son to save us from our sin. May we always be an appreciative people who gives back to You out of our sincere love. 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!

Stand Firm With Patient Endurance

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Endure, Grace, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Wait Patiently, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Thursday, 2021-10-07
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 21:12-19
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 12–13 And because you follow me, you will be on trial before kings and governmental leaders as an opportunity to testify to them in my name. 14–15 Yet determine in your hearts not to prepare for your own defense. Simply speak with the words of wisdom that I will give you that moment, and none of your persecutors will be able to withstand the grace and wisdom that comes from your mouths. 16 “You can expect betrayal even by your parents, your brothers, your relatives and friends—and yes, some of you will die as martyrs.17 You will be hated by all because of my life in you. 18 But don’t worry. My grace will never desert you or depart from your life. 19 Stand firm with patient endurance…..”

APPLICATION: How committed are you to being a child of the King? Committed enough to stay determined to serve Christ and acknowledge His as Lord, no matter what may come your way? Jesus’ disciples were curious about some of the things that He taught them, and in this instance it was about the destruction of the beautiful temple that they stood in. Jesus took such times to really bring out a truth about His going away, and also how we will be challenged for even acknowledging that we are a follower of Christ. The world, meaning those who have chosen not to accept and follow Christ, despise those who decide to follow Jesus. I know, you don’t have any family or friends like that, but there will come a time when you will be called unkind names; there are times you will be called stuck-up or prideful, or perhaps unwilling to associate with the ‘local folk’. It was this type of envy and hatred that led to the Pharisees calling Jesus names, and their tempting Him to say things against the ‘locals’, so they could have Him condemned by their authorities, that ultimately led to His false imprisonment and conviction of treason. But friends, I wonder if we are convinced and confident and committed enough in our decision to accept and follow Jesus Christ, that we would really be convicted of anything? Remember Peter, the disciple who said that Jesus could depend on him to follow Him and stand firm for Him even if it led to his death? Peter, the one Jesus nicknamed ‘the rock’ because of his boldness, yet he conceded to the bombardment of questions about his identity with Christ, three times in quick succession. Would you or I be better prepared to handle the questioning Jesus referred to in these verses without caving in to the pressure of what might come next? But look at the words Jesus chose to encourage us with in verse 18: ‘don’t worry, my grace will never desert you or depart from you’. I remember similar words also spoken by Jesus when He said ‘My grace is all sufficient for your every need’! Friends, it is painfully true that we may cave in to earthly pressure, but the love of Jesus will never fade away from us. It is also true that Jesus promised us that we could afford to stand firm in our faith, even when temptation or trials come, for His grace is sufficient for us and He will see us through our circumstances. Do you know Him my friend? Let me encourage you to know Him in such a personal way that you would be willing to depend on the grace of our Father as He stands ready and willing to be our strength and provider in every circumstance of life.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: His grace is sufficient for us in all that we do in Jesus’ name and for His glory! Let’s prepare ourselves for the worst, knowing that we have the very best guiding and protecting us as we serve Him and testify in His name.

PRAYER: I am Thine oh Lord, and I have heard Your promise in today’s Scripture. Thank You for Your reassurance and also for Your promises to be with us right until the very end of time. May my readers and listeners join me with hearts of gratitude for our King as we rest our hands in Yours and leave our anxiety and cares at Your feet. Times may get rough for us, but with our hand in Yours, we know that Your grace will see us through. Please draw the unsaved to Yourself today Lord, especially our family members and those that we are connected to in some way. 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!

A Prayer For Help In Times of Disaster

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

DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2021-10-06
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 57:1-3
TRANSLATION: Good News Translation (GNT)

BIBLE TEXT: 1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, because I come to you for safety. In the shadow of your wings I find protection until the raging storms are over.
2 I call to God, the Most High, to God, who supplies my every need. 3 He will answer from heaven and save me; he will defeat my oppressors. God will show me his constant love and faithfulness

APPLICATION: Watch a child, especially when they are frightened; they will look for, and run to the nearest parent or older sibling for refuge and protection. Pets are very similar in nature, they need comfort and reassurance when dealing with loud noises, or things that frighten them. The night the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee and a storm sprung up, they tried everything they could and was about to give up, when they saw Jesus walking towards them on the water. Their deliverer and protector was on the scene and they had no need to worry any further, for they were under His ‘sheltering and protecting wing’. But as I meditated on this Scripture, I thought of the many and varied ‘storms’ of life that we battle with today. In times past, if one city or state was hurting, there would be an onslaught of helpers headed our way to help us through. One country would go to the defense of another to help them through a war, or through unusual circumstances. But in what might very well be the last days, we turn on our televisions to see that citizens of every tribe and nation are battling the same ‘storm’, or battle. The curse of Covid is affecting us all, with no respecter of person, nationality or religious belief. Isn’t it like we all need a place to shelter from the spread of this dreaded disease? As we lose family members and friends all around us, shouldn’t we all run to the only One who has all of life’s answers, and has the power and authority to cover us under His wing as He protects and just loves on us to comfort and cheer us up? Friends, for the Christian, we have an even deeper assurance, for we could say like Paul, it is pure joy to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. Also, for me to live is Christ personified here on earth, but to die is gain (the gain of eternal life with the Father and the Son, where there will be no more pain, disease, dying, heartaches, or parting from our loved ones. For the unbeliever whom God may place in the path of this devotional, may I introduce you to this Savior of mine that gives me this peace in the midst of our storms today? I would be overjoyed at the opportunity. Please email NuggetsFromGodsWord@Outlook.com and I will be quick to respond, God being my helper!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: I am reminded of that old hymn ‘For I’m sheltered safe in the Arms of God’! Praise God His children are sheltered safe under His wing through every ‘Storm’ of life.

PRAYER: What a sweet assurance to know that even in the midst of our storm, we could call on You, Jesus! Thank You for being that comfort and stay for our ancestor David, and I especially thank You Lord for being there for us today. We are in the middle of ‘storms’ for which mankind is stumped for a resolution, but praise God we know a man who can calm the storm, heal our bodies, rescue our souls, and take us safely to that beautiful home You have prepared for us in Heaven! Lord, I hurt for the souls of our family members who show no concern for their souls. Please Lord, use Your warriors here on earth like never before and allow us to be a witness to the power and goodness of our Lord. Oh that our loved ones will accept Your free gift of Eternal Life today! 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!

Where and What Did You ‘Glean’ Today

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

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2021-10-05
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Ruth 2:18-19
TRANSLATION: New King James Version (NKJV)

BIBLE TEXT: 18 Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied.
19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you.”
So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”

APPLICATION: It is a good question for us to ask ourselves every night, where have I gleaned today? What improvement have I made in my knowledge and grace? What have I done that excites me and perhaps made someone else happy? When we deliberately recognize the Lord’s blessings on us, perhaps we will accept Naomi’s advice and not search for another field. We might actually shun Divine favors, if we slight the blessings given to us and seek pastures that, in our own opinion, are ‘greener’! Ruth dutifully observed her mother’s directions, and I hope that we will diligently seek God’s directions on where He would have us glean each day. To ‘glean’ is to ‘gather up’ or ‘extract’ from various sources. Ruth gleaned the leftover grain from around the edges of the field owned by Boaz, as it was a customer for harvesters to deliberately leave scraps for the poor. At the end of the day Ruth was able to reflect on the welcome, and the kind attitude of the field owner towards her. With a heart of gratitude, she noticed the way he seemed to have looked out for her best interest. Naomi shared in this gratitude, as Ruth’s gleaning resulted in food for their table. How does this compare to your attitude when your spouse arrives home each day? Are you grateful and appreciative for the job they hold? Do you show appreciation to their boss whenever possible? And now to the business owners: are you practicing like Boaz in leaving scraps for the poor? Don’t you know that as you bless the poor, God will bless you in your business? Friends, I believe that there are several principles for us to benefit from in today’s Scripture: 1). Search diligently for ways to put food on your table. Ruth did and God blessed her richly for her efforts; 2). Be willing to do whatever God directs you to. Ruth was willing to glean from the rejected grain storks, and alongside others whom she didn’t know, at a farm where she didn’t know the owner; 3). Encourage each other daily – Naomi was an encouragement to Ruth after a long day gleaning grain; and 4). Consider what all you have gleaned in a day – yes, Ruth was able to gather grain for food, but along the way she also had opportunities to share, to love, to encourage, to witness and to care. Instead of looking at all the negatives in our day, there are always things we could be thankful for. Let’s learn to praise the Lord in all the ways that He directs us and provides for us. Perhaps we will be so overwhelming in praise, that we won’t be tempted to complain about anything. Remember, God is for us and not against us. He loves us unconditionally and is always looking out for our good. Let Him, dear friend!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God provides in ways that we could never imagine. He looks out for His children and will always ensure that we prosper in His many blessings!

PRAYER: Lord, please teach us to be thankful, knowing that You are working all things out for our good. Ruth had no idea where she was going to find food, but You provided a way and the means for her to glean plenty enough grain for herself and her mother-in-law. You bless us daily also, dear Lord, and we want to say thank You from the bottom of our hearts. As we glean each day, may we be careful to spread cheer, thankfulness, kind words, a gracious attitude, and most of all – the love of our Savior. As you bless us, please bless those with whom we come into contact, and especially bless those who provide for our well being. Please bless each company owner that pays the salary of all my readers and listeners. May they profit tenfold for allowing others to glean at their place of business. 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!

They’re Watching You

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

DATE POSTED Sunday, 2021-10-03
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 20:20-22
TRANSLATION: New Century Version (NCV)

BIBLE TEXT: 20 So they watched Jesus and sent some spies who acted as if they were sincere. They wanted to trap Jesus in saying something wrong so they could hand him over to the authority and power of the governor. 21 So the spies asked Jesus, “Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is true. You pay no attention to who people are, and you always teach the truth about God’s way. 22 Tell us, is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

APPLICATION: I looked at our focal verses in several translations, and in every case, it was interesting to note that the wicked Pharisees knew about the integrity of Jesus. They knew that they would have to get quite creative to catch Him in something worth arresting Him for. Although churches only exist because of their congregations, yet they often receive very unfavorable reviews by the communities in which they exist. Does this mean that we, as members of our various churches, have lost respect in our communities? Although we can only work on ourselves (one person – self) and not the whole church and its leaders and members, we are faced with the dilemma of what might we do differently to regain the trust of those we come into contact with. I believe there are some things in our Scripture today that will help us. Notice the following things that the spies already knew about Jesus:
—> What you say is true – Will our community leaders say the same thing about us individually? I had a Christian Brother stand before a judge, and although I believe he was wrongly accused, there was nothing that this Brother or us, as his dear friends, could say to convince the court to the contrary of the wicked accusations. Will community leaders believe what we say, because we claim to be a child of the King? If not, then this is a vote against the integrity of the local ‘church’;
—> You treat everyone the same – Our Scripture quotes the spies as saying: You pay no attention to who people are. I wonder, do we treat the millionaire walking in our churches any different to the man in ragged clothes who may not have had a bath in the last day or two? Which one do we find the best seat for, and which one will we believe, if we asked each of them the same question? Perhaps spies are watching for us to show how much we truly care, to prove that we are who we say we are;
—> You always teach the truth about God’s way – This sounds like the spies may have encountered some preachers, evangelists or teachers who couldn’t be trusted in what they taught. Who might be the ‘spies’ in your church, or your Sunday School class, or sitting next to you at work? Might they approve of what they hear from you? Will it confirm their suspicions, or clarify their doubt?
Friends, all of the above contributed to the confidence the spies had gained in judging the integrity of Jesus. They seem to have known that He was who He said He was. They realized that they would have to try extremely hard to trip Him up on their laws, and not God’s law. We must remember that others will not listen to our witness, or our preaching, or our teaching, if they don’t see evidence of what we say in our own lives. A daily communion with God – through reading His Word; and through conversation (prayer) with Him; will help you to learn His ways, understand His expectations for His followers, and excite you about the prospects of heaven, for which Jesus promised that He has gone to prepare for us. We have no one to impress, just share Jesus with the world, and be ready to celebrate His kingdom growth as He works through our efforts.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Our integrity is developed as we live out who we say we are. Pretense leads to distruction.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Your Word is clear in directing us how to live – especially in a world that looks intently at everything we do or say. Please Lord, direct us at all times, so that our words and actions will support our commitment to You. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart always be acceptable in Your sight, oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. As others watch, whether judgmental or not, may they always see Jesus in and through me, and may He be glorified by those who recognize truth. 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!

Not Afraid!

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

DATE POSTED Saturday, 2021-10-02
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 56:2-4
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 2 Not a day goes by without somebody harassing me. So many in their pride trample me under their feet.
3 But in the day that I’m afraid, I lay all my fears before you and trust in you with all my heart.
4 What harm could a man bring to me? With God on my side, I will not be afraid of what comes. The roaring praises of God fill my heart as I trust his promises.

APPLICATION: It seems to me that there are three distinct parts to our Scripture from Psalm 56, and it would be good for us to understand each of the three:
1). Recognize our stress points – David felt like king Saul and his men were harassing him, and there were many who just trampled him under their feet, in their pride and arrogance. For us, there may be things such as Covid, or its remedies, or the things imposed to help protect us from the disease. It may be our fellow employees who degrade us and make us feel inferior. It may just be a low self esteem. I believe it is important that we not act like everything is OK, if we are actually stressed to the limit over something in our lives;
2). Know where to turn when stress becomes overwhelming – David knew that in any given day when he was feeling overwhelmed, he could pull up alongside Jesus and everything would be alright. God was the one Solid Rock in his life that brought relief and contentment. For some of you, it may be alcohol or drugs. For some it may be overeating. For some, you have to deal with the anger that wells up inside of you when others pick at you. Know where you will run to when life is filled with overwhelming stress, and it seems like every one is picking on you;
3). Be confident when you run to your rescuer – David had no doubt that when he did his part in seeking out God, or drawing closer to Him in his time of trouble, that He alone could save and only He could mend a broken and stressed heart. Let me encourage you to be that confident in the one that you place your trust and faith in to help you through life.
I believe that it is extremely helpful to also plan a time of praise and thanksgiving when you realize that God resolved your issue. So often after pleading with God for a long time, we become involved in life after seeing our resolution, and don’t remember to even return thanks to the Almighty God for His goodness. With a humble heart you may ask God for help in resolving the issues at hand, but it is always with a thankful heart that you come back to the table and thank Him for His goodness and His miraculous touch. If you’re afraid, my friend, you may not have sufficient faith to trust in God for all your problems. Strive diligently to trust in God and call on Him as Your Master and Lord.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: With God on my side, I will not be afraid!

PRAYER: Lord, as You are well aware, we are faced with one stress right after another. And even though these may not necessary come from an individual trying to harm us, yet we struggle to overcome these things. You are our strength, You are our protection and You are our provider. Please remind us of Your presence and how You are standing with open arms to receive us unto Yourself, especially when we feel overwhelmed. You provided peace in the midst of the storm for Peter and his brothers; You provided comfort and contentment for David in his time of stress, and I am convinced that You stand ready and willing to bring us comfort and release when, and as, we need it. Oh that others may see You for who You are and for all that You can be in our lives. 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!

Oh For His Measureless Grace!

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

DATE POSTED Friday, 2021-10-01
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 55:22
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 22 So here’s what I’ve learned through it all:
    Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord,
    and measureless grace will strengthen you.

APPLICATION: For the majority of humans, I believe that we have inherited a sense of urgency when life is not going perfectly at all times. For example: when we develop a pain or discomfort, we rush into the doctor’s office for a medicine that will help us overcome that. When our bank account dries up, we apply for another credit card or we run to our banker for a loan to get us over the hump. When situations develop in our family that impacts our home-life, we find a pastor who will try to help us deal with, or overcome the problem. We seem to search out ‘fixes’ for most of life’s issues, don’t we? But what do we do when we are told something we don’t want to hear, like a doctor who tells us that hospitalization and/or surgery might be the only fix for our medical issues? Or a pastor who advises that things will only get worse if we don’t make some very serious decisions that could negatively impact our family even more? For some of us, that’s when we turn to Jesus – as a last resort. It seems like the Psalmist might be supporting our normal trends, for he found grace at the foot of the cross, and he is advising us to do the same. But unless we take this bit of advise separate and apart from the rest of the Bible, we may forget that Jesus also told us that some suffering is a gift from Him. Say WHAT???? Let me suggest that you click on the following two Scripture verses so that you can see for yourself what Jesus said about this: Philippians 1:29 and John 18:11. Friends, I believe that God would have His children know that regardless of our challenges in life, we have a Father who cares for us and will see us through every circumstance of life. For some scenarios, we might experience healing, and for some we may be challenged by the way He chooses to handle it, but as His child we must always know that God loves us, and that His measureless grace is sufficient for all our anxiety and cares of this world. Let’s always keep the end goal in mind – Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. As we journey towards that goal, we will need Him to hold our hand and gently lead us through situations that sometimes seem impossible, troublesome or even unsurmountable to us. He cares for us, He loves us, and He will guide us in ways that will bring Him glory and praise. Perhaps if we stop fighting to have our own way, we will see and appreciate the blessings He sends our way!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God’s measureless grace is all sufficient for our every care and concern!

PRAYER: I am reminded of a chorus I learned as a child attending Sunday School: God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own, though trials may come and often beset us, yet He is still on the throne! Of course there are other songs that fit the intent of this verse today also: He never promised us a rose garden! But thank You Jesus, You did promise us that You will never leave us or forsake us, and that Your measureless grace is all sufficient for each and every child. May we find peace and contentment in knowing that we are a child of the King and that You have our best interest at heart, precious Lord. For the unsaved who will not experience this comfort and peace, I pray that You will speak intently to them today, Lord. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog 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!

Reason To Shout!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Worship1 Comment

DATE POSTED Thursday, 2021-09-30
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 19:37-40
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 37 When Jesus was starting down the Mount of Olives, his large crowd of disciples were happy and praised God because of all the miracles they had seen. 38 They shouted, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God.”
39 Some Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, make your disciples stop shouting!”
40 But Jesus answered, “If they keep quiet, these stones will start shouting.”

APPLICATION: I believe that the excuse modern day Christians give for their reserved praise and worship services is because they are accustomed to celebrating inwardly. Really? How much incentive do you acknowledge from the ‘inward’ praises of your parents/spouse/friends? As a youngster growing up in a very reserved community, I remember going by car to the nearby town where we sat and watched a charismatic congregation rejoice in songs of praise and through the preaching of the word, in ways that we hardly did on the baseball field sidelines! We never doubted that they were worshiping, but it seems like their habits never impacted our lives to worship in that manner. However, as an older adult, where my times with the Lord are super charged with the joy of knowing my Savior intimately; Where my life has been impacted by my Savior in miraculous ways over the years; Where the Word of God has become very personal to me and where I apply it’s truth to my life on an ongoing basis, it excites me to hear from God and to see Him at work miraculously in my life. But I believe that the question remains: does everyone who come into contact with me know that I am a Christ follower? Do I worship Him so boldly that my opposers are shaking in their boots and asking me to quiet down? When most of us received Christ, it was evident to everyone, for we didn’t care who was around when we lifted up the name of Jesus and sang praises to our new-found King. What happened? He’s still King, and as I already said, I draw closer to Him every day as I learn of His commands, and practice His teachings, so why am I not as outwardly excited? I believe that something happens inside of us every time that we recognize we are in the presence of Jesus, and I believe that we are especially thankful and extremely happy when we are aware of His mighty works in our lives. Perhaps we need to go by the words of another great old hymn: Count you blessings, name them one by one… Let’s stop attributing our blessings to another lucky day, or a ‘win for all’ where a certain good thing happened. Instead, let us draw close to God and be keenly aware of all that He does in our lives – things that bear no other earthly explanation. I believe we will all find reasons to ‘tick off our neighbors’ because of our continual celebrative lifestyle! Jesus deserves our praise, dear ones! We have a reason to shout!!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: So many, so often, and so loud will be our praises when we truly acknowledge the source of our daily blessings! Not just those that we expect every day, but particularly those personal ones with our name written all over them! Only Jesus, dear friends! Let’s learn to shout our praises to our well-deserving King!

PRAYER: As a recipient of all good things from on high, I feel like my expressions of joy, happiness and praise to my Maker is very underwhelming. I am reminded of a song ‘How Can I Say Thanks’, for I feel like that should be my heart’s cry every time I’m reminded of the goodness of my King. Thank You Lord for the miracles You have performed in my life and all around me. You are truly worthy of my every praise and endless expressions of thanksgiving. Lord, I pray that You will speak gently, but boldly to Your children who will be reminded of Your goodness today. May we all celebrate from a heart of thanksgiving to our Maker and our Eternal Father. Thank You Jesus for saving my soul, thank You Lord for making me whole. As a child of the King, I stand boldly in saying that You are so deserving of all my praise and also that of my readers and listeners. Be glorified today because of the opened hearts of Your children. 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!