Tag: Praise

Doing The Right Thing

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

DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2021-01-05
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Genesis 4:6–7
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 The Lord said to Cain: What’s wrong with you? Why do you have such an angry look on your face? 7 If you had done the right thing, you would be smiling. But you did the wrong thing, and now sin is waiting to attack you like a lion. Sin wants to destroy you, but don’t let it!

OBSERVATION: Isn’t it funny to watch a child try to wiggle out of their guilt when caught by a parent? Isn’t it heartbreaking to watch an adult in the courtroom when they are being tried for a crime? God Has designed our emotional system to respond one way when things are good and we are happy, but in a totally different way when we are upset, sad or disillusioned. As you meditate with me on this Scripture today, I hope that God will open our eyes of understanding and help us recognize those areas of our life that curtail our happiness.

APPLICATION: Notice how we never wish anyone a sad day, or an unhappy future. We know that our bodies react best to happiness, and our minds are most content when we are not sad. Yet we find ourselves doing things that we know will result in sin and unhappiness all the time. Jealousy seems to be a huge culprit in pushing us towards revenge and/or payback – in other words, we want to hurt the other party back for the hurt they caused us. This all started back with one of our very first ancestors – Cain. He became jealous of his brother Abel, so he thought that he would just terminate him altogether. The death of a loved one always makes us sad, but imagine how much worse that would be if we realized that we were responsible for the death of a loved one. I believe that leads to a double dose of unhappiness, as our conscience pricks us for disobeying God’s law about murder, plus our heart aches for the loss of one who spent time with us, albeit often challenging times. Friends, God not only knows all things, but He sees all things and also knows our innermost thoughts. So don’t you know that God was well aware of why Cain was so sad inside, despite any smiles he may have tried to force onto his face? God knew that if Cain had done the right thing, you know – chosen to discuss his hurt feelings with Abel and perhaps look to him for advice on what he might do better in providing more pleasing sacrifices to God, then there would have been contentment in Cain’s heart, and contentment leads one to happiness. Doing those things opposed to God’s laws, means that you sin by doing them. In spite of one becoming hardened to sin, deep inside they will still have a feeling of sadness and disappointment, because they know that they have hurt God, and in most cases hurt a fellow human being. Friends, I bet this all seems philosophical to some, but I believe that God wants us to know that the same thing occurs in the life of an individual today. While you may not have killed a brother, or anyone else, if you have done something that is sinful in God’s sight, then you have displeased Him. If you have sinned and done something wrong, I could only believe that it has also impacted the life of one or more other individuals. Why live with that guilt and unhappiness dear friend? God loves you and I believe that nothing will please Him more than to know that His child is happy and content with all that He has blessed you with. Let me encourage you to read the Word and seek to understand and apply it to your life this year. As you fill your heart with the Word of God, your desire to sin and displease Him will begin to disappear from your life. Unhappiness and stress will affect your heart and other vital body functions. Do the right thing, stay right with God, and live a long and happy life. God will be glorified in your life and it will impact others around you.

PRAYER: Thank You precious Lord for life itself, and for providing a wonderful world around us to enjoy. We are blessed to meet some of the kindest and nicest people wherever we go, and it becomes so evident that Your love exudes from them in amazing ways. Your laws are perfect, and I am convinced that they were put in place to help us live a long, happy life, so that we could be a blessing to others. Please help us to stay strong and not be so determined to have our own way and do our own thing, but instead stay strong in the power of Your might, Your power, and Your will. I believe that true happiness comes from You, but we need Your strength to overcome the power of Satan to live like You. Please be our Guide, Protector, Friend and Savior until You call us home to glory. 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!

Mature, Yet Willing To Learn

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

DATE WRITTEN: Monday, 2021-01-4
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Luke 2:46-47
TRANSLATION: New International Version (NIV)

BIBLE TEXT: 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.

OBSERVATION: Is it painstaking for you to sit and listen to someone less educated than yourself try to explain something that comes very natural and simple to you? Could you ever learn anything new from them? Would you have enough patience and ingenuity to try and simplify your message enough so that even they would understand? Do you suppose that Jesus had any of these issues when He sat down with the teachers and leaders in the temple? Let’s just stop and ponder over these things for a few moments as we start, or continue our day.

APPLICATION: At 12 years old, Jesus decided to stay at the temple and learn from the elders and teachers. Unfortunately this was at the expense of worrying His earthly parents half to death when the discovered that He simply was not with them as they returned home to Nazareth from Bethlehem, where they had gone as part of a mandatory census. Although interesting that this 12 year old would feel at home sitting with these scholarly elders, yet when His parents finally caught up with Him, He sounded surprised that they didn’t realize that He would naturally be in His Father’s house learning, teaching and sharing the love of His Father. From a humanly standpoint, there are a few things that should catch our attention here:
1. That Jesus would be respectful in learning from some of the same men that would probably take part in having Him crucified later in His life. It takes a very mature person to sit and listen to people that have tried to get you in trouble, to report you to the authorities, to distract from your ministry, etc. Yet Jesus did!
2. Jesus joined in and answered questions just like any other student might do. The Bible says that the group of teachers were amazed by His answers. After all Jesus, being God, knew all that had transpired and all that will transpire in the future. Don’t you know that some of His answers reflected things that the teachers themselves were unaware of? Yet Jesus did!
3. Imagine after a few answers the teachers may have asked this young 12 year old, where He was from and from whom had He received His learning? Imagine how shocked they were in hearing His responses to personal questions, should they have inquired about that? After all, Jesus was born of an earthly mother, so He was human. But He was born of the Holy Ghost as part of the triune God, so He was also God. But this is who Jesus was!
Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could truly be more mature in 2021, like Jesus was? As a student of the Word, I have sometimes taught Bible Study. It always made me nervous to look over my audience and see a Pastor or church leader listening in, because I was well aware that I was never well learned, or smart enough to share the Word of God with the unction and power that it deserves. Yet Jesus astonished His teachers with His knowledge and abilities. Imagine if I was teaching and saw someone in the audience who had betrayed me in the past, or might be trying to belittle me before the Pastor, or my employer. Could I have taught the class without making jabs at them? But Jesus succeeded in this! As we seek to grow in maturity in 2021, may it be mirrored after the One who is our primary mentor – Jesus Christ, and may God be glorified because of our efforts.

PRAYER: I wonder if we could ever become truly mature in the eyes of Jesus, our King? But Lord, You know our heart and you therefore know whether our intentions are pure. Thank You for protecting us and bringing us into another year that could be just as challenging as 2020, or even worse. However, as Your child who longs to serve You with all my heart, may I ask that You please help mature me to respond to life’s challenges with the same love and good heart as You did. Fill my lips with words that will share Your love for mankind. Help Your children to draw closer to You in spite of earth’s trials and temptations. May we be ready for Your return or Your calling on our life, so that You may be glorified even through us. 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!

A Place To Call ‘Home’

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

DATE WRITTEN: Sunday, 2021-01-03
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Psalm 1:5–6
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 5 Sinners won’t have an excuse on the day of judgment, and they won’t have a place with the people of God.
6 The Lord protects everyone who follows him, but the wicked follow a road
that leads to ruin.

OBSERVATION: Imagine for a moment that you landed on a desolate island where you know no one, nor have you made any arrangements for a place to stay there. What would you do? In today’s Scripture the Psalmist reminds us that when we leave this world, the Lord will take care of His own (those who have prearranged their meeting with Him, by accepting Him as Lord) However, the unsaved will be left with their earthly master – Satan, as they won’t have a place with the people of God. Think about whether this is really what you want, as there may still be time to change your mind while there is breath in your body.

APPLICATION: Financial advisors may give you advice as you enter into a New Year that may have opportunities equal to or worse than 2020. Medical doctors may give you advice on keeping your body healthy and prepared for the unexpected in 2021. But the Word of God is faithful in preparing you for the expected, after you leave this world. On each nightly news broadcast, we are given the numbers who became hospitalized, or have died from the Coronavirus. It only makes sense that you were not included in either of the totals mentioned, because you are reading this devotional. However, on the Day of Judgment that the Psalmist refers to in our Scripture, no one is excluded. Everyone will be accounted for. The children of God will be welcomed home to heaven by their Maker, because of their acceptance of His Son, Jesus. Those who rejected Jesus will not be welcomed there, which means that they will revert to Hell where Satan will rule over them with fire and brimstone for all eternity. The choice is made today, while you are still alive. You may argue that you made no such choice. Unfortunately that means that you have accepted your current leader (Satan) to continue ruling over you, and his ongoing reign is already explained. Friends, you prepared yourself to live independently; you prepared yourself financially to see yourself through everyday life; you prepared yourself for happiness by marrying the spouse of your dreams. But unless you prepare yourself for heaven by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will not have a home with Jesus and His saints. This could mean separation from family, friends, spouse and children. There’s no one to blame your outcome on, and there’s no one who could make the arrangements for you. This is a personal decision for each one, and the verdict is for all eternity. Please make this very early stage of 2021 of key importance to your eternal well being. Accept Jesus today and be saved for all eternity. Self-help is provided in my Footnote, and my contact information is also included, to help you change your destination plans. No excuses my friend, do this today, please?

PRAYER: Thank You Lord Jesus for speaking words of wisdom to me back in 1976 and helping me make preparation for my eternity with You. Thank You for all who read this blog, and I thank you for friends and family. Please speak to their hearts today through Your powerful Word. Convict them of their sin and please reinforce the facts shared in my message today. According to Your Word there will only be a place in Your kingdom for those who have accepted Your Son. Please emphasize the shortness of time to all those who need to make important life changes. May today be a day of decision for each one, I pray. 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!

God – Ever Was, Always Is and Always Will Be!

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

DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2021-01-02
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Genesis 1:1
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

OBSERVATION: I believe that some of the most powerful words in the Bible are included in our Scripture today! Before there was anything in the universe, there was God! In yesterday’s blog we looked at some of the concluding verses of the Bible and we saw where God was calling us home to Glory – so we know He is waiting for us when this universe becomes non-existent, at the end of time. The sun arose this morning, not of its own accord, or by happen-chance, but because God placed it in the sky and orchestrated its rising and its setting for each day His children need it. He always was, He always is and He always will be! That’s my God! Do you know Him?

APPLICATION: I believe that one thing 2020 taught us, is that we live in an uncertain world, where mankind could only hope to try and find solutions to protect us against what has already occurred, and in hopes that they could build our immunities against a recurrence of that. World governments could prepare financial budgets based on past experience and on things that they plan to do that will involve certain finances, but no one in the whole world had a financial plan for COVID, nor did they have a budget in place to help scientists prepare for a medical solution that would prevent thousands of deaths. I was so overwhelmed in awe as I started my time through the Bible again! For I was reminded in the very first chapter of the Book, that God not only created the universe, but He went on to create everything that mankind would need to survive. I was enthused by the way the CEV version explained how God commanded each thing into being – major things that we often take for granted, such as light (and darkness); water; the sky; land; living creatures, and so on. As He reflected on all that He made, He was proud of it and happy with the results. Perhaps a great reminder for His created beings (you and I) to recognize these things and praise God for them, for they cannot be replaced by the ingenuity of man, should the need ever arise! I was also reminded that if God was so pleased with what He made, why on earth do we allow Satan to misguide us into complaining about: no sunshine today; no rain for the past month; if only I was as handsome/beautiful and slim as that popular movie star; lack of money (notice that money wasn’t even mentioned!!), etc. God made us as we are for His good purpose, why mess that up? God gave us all we need, why complain? God loves us unconditionally, why fret, doubt and become disheartened? God created us, everything around us, and also everything we will need after life here on this earth. We are truly blessed and can safely enter this new year knowing that God is in control of it all. If He leaves us here for a while longer – to God be the glory! If He’s ready for us in Heaven – to God be the glory! There is no other like our God! Glory to God in the highest!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that You will touch the lives of Your children, that You created, and that You provided everything for. Please convince each one that You are true to Your Word and that we can rest assured that, come what may in 2021, it will not occur without Your knowledge and without You power to overcome it, or take us out of it. Your inspired Word is filled with words that describe the glories of heaven, where there will be no more sorrow, no pain, no diseases, and other things that seem to worry us. Please help us in this temporary position here below until we arrive forever glorified at Your feet. Thank You Father for Your love and Your patience with us as we endure the challenges of earth. 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!

Soon and Very Soon!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Christ's Return, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Return to Christ, The Return of Jesus, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2021-01-01
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Revelation 22:10-14
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 10 Don’t keep the prophecies in this book a secret. These things will happen soon. 11 Evil people will keep on being evil, and everyone who is dirty-minded will still be dirty-minded. But good people will keep on doing right, and God’s people will always be holy.
12 Then I was told: I am coming soon! And when I come, I will reward everyone for what they have done. 13 I am Alpha and Omega,[b] the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
14 God will bless all who have washed their robes. They will each have the right to eat fruit from the tree that gives life, and they can enter the gates of the city. 

OBSERVATION: Happy New Year to all my faithful followers and readers of this blog! By reading today’s devotional, you have been awarded the gift of yet another day, another month and another year to sing the praises of our King, and to continue sharing His love with those that you come into contact with! Welcome to 2021!

APPLICATION: Our verses for meditation today comes from the last chapter of the last book of the Holy Bible – God’s precious Word! I believe God is assuring us that there was great purpose in having gone methodically through the entire contents of His Word, for it all leads to one thing – His ultimate return to earth to take His bride – the church – those who are called by His name, home to glory with Him, for an eternity with He and the Father. For you see dear folk, there are many who have divided the Word and taken advantage of the various pieces of the Bible that appeal to them, and speak to their belief system. However, we can see from today’s Scripture that God wanted John to tell us all that He was deliberate in all that He shared with us, and that there are consequences for any that have added or subtracted from His Holy Word. Furthermore, we are reminded that everything shared with us leads to the return of Jesus Christ, and that awesome event is about to unfold, for He is coming soon, according to His own words! Notice that He said that He will return with rewards for everyone. No doubt you might automatically assume that He must have rewards even for those who don’t deserve the gift of heaven. Friends, I glorify God that He is doing the judging, and not I or anyone else I might know here on earth. For those who are ready, meaning that we have accepted the gift of salvation through God’s Son – Jesus Christ, then we will be rewarded with Eternal Life. The Bible tells us so. For those who have done nothing in preparation for Christ’s return, they too will receive what they deserve – eternal damnation. The Word is clear my friend, there is no ‘middle-of-the-road’ choices. So let me encourage you on this very first day of this New Year, prepare yourself for what Jesus Christ has promised: He is coming soon, and He will take His bride on to glory with Him. Please don’t be left behind watching as your Christ-following family and friends leave this world supernaturally. You too can be in that group. 2021 can be bright and filled with the promise of happiness in the Lord, despite any circumstances that may come our way! 2020 was filled with surprises, and some were impacted by its events that they, nor us ever expected to see. With Christ, we can be content in knowing that in death we will gain the heights and glory of heaven, while in life we can press on to encourage others towards knowing our Savior and Lord. I trust that you are content in the Lord dear friend.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for watching over us in 2020, and thank You for giving us additional opportunities in 2021. Thank You for opening my eyes, and my understanding to accept You as Lord! Thank You for bringing my readers and I through a very challenging, different and difficult year. Thank You for giving us another chance to share You with those we know and care about. May You be glorified in 2021 like never before! Come Lord Jesus, come! 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!

Don’t Cheat

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

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2020-12-31
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Malachi 2:13-16
TRANSLATION: The Message (MSG)

BIBLE TEXT: 13-15 And here’s a second offense: You fill the place of worship with your whining and sniveling because you don’t get what you want from God. Do you know why? Simple. Because God was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife. God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse.
16 “I hate divorce,” says the God of Israel. God-of-the-Angel-Armies says, “I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.” So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat.

OBSERVATION: I believe that God blessed me with the best wife, when we made our vows before Him on November 7, 1975. I believe that God has also blessed our work for Him over the years, and in the daughter He blessed us with. But little did I realize the full extent of this Scripture, until today. Please know that I am not here to criticize anyone whose marriage fell by the wayside, but I thought it important that we see what the Word of God says about this important aspect of two lives becoming one in holy matrimony.

APPLICATION: I don’t believe that things have changed very much at all. Malachi dealt with the whining and complaining of the Jews on why they were feeling so empty in their worship to God. Malachi, in speaking the word of the Lord, immediately recognized that something was blocking the communion of the saints with their Father as they worshipped. Isn’t it interesting how still today we could go through the motions, but yet feel very empty inside, as if we never truly worshipped? You see, we might take off the dirty filthy clothes worn all week and we may put on our very best clothes, but will that truly bring us close to God? We might attend the biggest and best rated church in town, or we may decide to visit a small, quaint, secluded church that claims to have the best pastor, but in either case we could very easily leave as empty as when we walked in, even though we were convinced that God was just not there. We may decide to get involved at our church – singing in the choir, helping in a Bible Study class, or working with the children, but yet we might drown in our sorrows, feeling like we have not connected with God. Obviously we must know that God never reneges on His Word. He said that He would be with us through every stage of life and be there to accept us as we leave this world, so what might trick our brains into thinking that we have a disconnect between us and God? Friends, God made it clear in His word that He will not reside where sin is, and He will not approve of sin in any form, for He has never sinned, nor will He ever sin, seeing that He is the righteous Son of God. We may immediately think of sin, like we see in our neighbor or our friend, but in our example today of how sin could separate us from God, Malachi dealt with divorce – breaking the covenant agreement made between a man and a woman in the presence of the Almighty. Friends, our fleshly minds will tell us that everything we did was legal, and furthermore we even had a Notary pronounce our wedding vows. I’m sure that makes you feel that your actions are therefore more legitimate because of that, but because we are talking about a right relationship with God, I believe it behooves us to think about how our relationship was injured when we totally ignored the covenant we made with Him and our spouse. Why do you suppose this is important to God? He became a party to our vows and He blessed our union with our spouse, so that we could produce godly children. So through divorce, we not only broke our covenant agreement with God, but we also made it impossible to give Him what He desired from us – godly children. Without looking down my nose in the slightest at any divorcee, let me just say that God’s Word is exactly that – it’s His Word, and not mine. I am merely the messenger reminding you of what the Word has to say about everything – today being about marriage. Please read the Word of God and endeavor to live by it, God being your helper. Take your petitions before God and seek His forgiveness, guidance and His perfect will for your life.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, thank You for making us in Your own image. We were placed here on earth being weak and fully susceptible to sin. You are the only One without sin, and You are the only One to whom we must give an account of what we have done with all You have blessed us with. Unfortunately we have messed up a lot, and it is so challenging to approach Your throne in such an ugly, sinful manner. But praise be to the Father, You are the only One capable of forgiving us of our sin and making us right with You and the Father. Please renew within us a right spirit and a righteous and holy respect for You in every phase of life – one that You could use to bless others who need an example to follow. Oh that You may be lifted up, magnified and praised today because someone may have realized their need for a Savior. 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!

It Is Finished, Now Expect This…

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

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2020-12-30
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Revelation 21:6-8
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 It is finished! I am the A and the Z—the Beginning and the End. I will give to the thirsty the springs of the Water of Life—as a gift! 7 Everyone who conquers will inherit all these blessings, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But cowards who turn back from following me, and those who are unfaithful to me, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those conversing with demons, and idol worshipers and all liars—their doom is in the Lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This is the Second Death.”

OBSERVATION: Twice in the New Testament I remember the words ‘It Is Finished’. Once at Jesus’ death, and again in our Scripture today. If Jesus should postpone His return for a few days, we may hear these words again, for we will be reminded at midnight tomorrow evening that 2020 has come to an end – it (the old year) is finished. Let us meditate on all this means for us individually.

APPLICATION: For some, 2020 may have been an exceptionally good year, but for most this has probably been the most challenging year of our lives. Of course, we have no idea what 2021 will bring to us, because it could be 100% better as the vaccine is introduced to the worldwide population and perhaps we could finally see an end to the COVID virus. Our lives could finally return to ‘normal’! There are some lessons we could learn from the challenges this year, as we were faced with an evil/virus that never before showed its ugly face. We were forced into quarantine; forced to wear masks; forced to social distance; forced to cook at home more, as restaurants were either closed, restricted or impossible to gain access to, due to the social distancing guidelines. We did all these things in order to survive – in order to avoid catching the virus. For centuries the church has been alive and well, with pastors preaching the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, so that we might prepared for eternity and our meeting in the air with our Maker. Jesus made Himself available to you and gave you the freedom to accept Him as Lord, so that you could avoid the pit of Hell and avoid all your worldly leader, Satan, has planned for you. Given the choice, even though the end result would lead to certain death and eternal punishment, yet many have chosen to ignore the warnings and instead, take their chances. Friends, I pray that as you evaluate what your chances were in ignoring the warnings in 2020, you might also think about how, given the warnings in the Bible about your eternal destination, you will make the right decision in favor of spending eternity with Jesus and His Father. This could occur before we finish out 2020, so I would highly recommend that you not postpone your decision any longer. See my Footnote for help, particularly the link ‘To Know Jesus’, for all the Scriptural help you need to accept Jesus. Be ready today my friend. I’m not sure when you might hear that phrase ‘It is finished’ next. Only God knows when He will call an end to this world by pronouncing ‘It (this world) is finished’. Only God knows when He will call an end to your life by pronouncing ‘It (your life) is finished’. Either of these could occur before you ever see 2021. The answer for full readiness in either scenario has been provided. It’s your turn – your decision, as no one can do this for you. Please dear friends, know Jesus and know the peace that passeth all understanding. Know where you will spend eternity after hearing your last ‘It is finished’ from God Himself.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for providing the path to eternal life for mankind, even though we may have done nothing to deserve it. Your love for us is far greater than anything we could imagine, but we appreciate Your unconditional and everlasting love for Your children. Praise God, You called me out of my sin and into the light of Your salvation, before pronouncing ‘it is finished’ on my life. I now can look forward to unending peace while still here on earth, knowing that I will enjoy eternal peace in heaven with You and the Father. Lord, I’m afraid that many are taking Your Word too lightly and not heeding to the warnings given in It. Please oh God, soften the hearts of my readers that they might know You before it is eternally too late, and do the same for my family and friends who are playing with their life and the vain benefits offered by this world. I would be forever grateful to You, Lord Jesus. May You be glorified throughout the rest of 2020 as Your children make important decisions in their lives. 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!

Judged For ALL We have Done

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

DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2020-12-29
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Revelation 20:12-13
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

BIBLE TEXT: 12 I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged (sentenced) by what they had done [[b]their whole way of feeling and acting, their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books. 13 And the sea delivered up the dead who were in it, death and Hades ([c]the state of death or disembodied existence) surrendered the dead in them, and all were tried and their cases determined by what they had done [according to their motives, aims, and works].

OBSERVATION: It’s a frightening thought about being judged for all we have done – our motives, our aims, our works, and our actions (good and bad). There may be some actions that we are very proud of and we don’t mind the whole world knowing about, and some that we would prefer that they were kept secret. But then there’s God – He knows everything about everything that we have ever done. What must we do oh God?

APPLICATION: We are usually good at hiding stuff from our parents, from our spouse, from our boss and perhaps even from our best friend. But God is all-knowing, all-seeing and always present. So there’s no hiding from Him. However, for the child of God that sought forgiveness through His Son, Jesus, the Bible says that our sin was separated from us as far as the east is from the west. Therefore, I believe that when God looks at our lives on Judgment Day, He will just see His precious Son! But our Scripture today reminds us of what God sees when the non-Christian stands before Him, whether dead or alive on Resurrection morning. I love the way that the Amplified Bible emphasizes what John meant when he said that the dead will be brought before God, for we are reminded that this not only means for all they have done, but they must remember to incorporate: their motives behind the things that they did; their aim in what they wanted to accomplish in the things that they did; their works – whether good or bad, that were strategically done to ensure glorification of self and or self gain; and their actions – whether its the good ones they did in the presence of the pastor, or the bad ones that they did in the middle of the night. I believe that God gave me this Scripture today to share with you, in the hopes that it would cause you to reflect on your ‘works’, or what you have done in 2020. I’m sure that as each reader is reminded of their unfaithful deeds in the current year, they will strive to improve as they head into 2021, or the return of Jesus Christ, whichever comes first. Dear friends, let me encourage you to meet my Savior today. See His forgiveness of your sin and ask for His help to live more like Him every day. Remember, God will either see the person who has been washed white as snow with the forgiveness of God’s Son, or God will see the many horrible things that you have done as described above. Which do you prefer? Are you prepared to do something about that today? If so, may I recommend that you read my Footnote, and especially click on the link ‘To Know Jesus’ for helpful Scripture references that will lead you to Christ.

PRAYER: Thank You precious Lord that there is a day coming when all of life’s worries, strife and hardships will be over, as we know it today. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sin, and thank You for the bright new future that heaven holds for those of us who have accepted Your precious Son As our Lord and Savior. Please soften the hearts of those who continue to serve the evil one, may they choose life over death, and the goodness of God over the punishment of Satan and his domain. Please Lord, may each reader be assured of their fate for eternity, whether sealed in You and Your kingdom, or not. And may they choose life over death and eternal punishment. 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!

Celebrate Jesus!

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

DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2020-12-25
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Revelation 19:9-10
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write these words: Wonderfully blessed are those who are invited to feast at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!” And then he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
10 At this I fell facedown at the angel’s feet to worship him, but he stopped me and said, “Don’t do this! For I am only a fellow servant with you and one of your brothers and sisters who cling to what Jesus testifies. Worship God. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”[e]

OBSERVATION: As I read this passage I believe that God reminded me of how careful we must be in getting distracted from the Main Thing, just as John was distracted. Notice how John was ready to bow at the feet of the angel and worship him because of all the awesome things he saw and heard around him, in his dream? Now notice how, for us at this very special time of the year, such little attention is given to Jesus, whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas. Wouldn’t You think that perhaps an angel should stop us in our rush and haste to spend our very last dollar on gifts that has nothing at all to do with Jesus, and remind us of where our attention should be centered?

APPLICATION: What if, in the middle of your shopping this Christmas, an angel tapped you on the shoulder and insisted that you return home and stop worrying about what the world promotes around Christmas time? Do doubt over recent weeks you have been frantic in shopping for the best deals, worrying about what you will give this family member or that particular friend who most people find it impossible to please. You probably fought the crowds to purchase food enough for several families, as you think about Christmas dinner for your own family, and you may have even worried about when you might have a small party in these days of social distancing and COVID spread, so that you might look at least equally as good as your friend, who always have great parties at Christmas. But in the middle of one of these activities, suppose you heard a message from God that reminded you of this being the birthday of a King – The King of all kings. You might be reminded that the Shepherds left their sheep and went as they were, with all that they had while tending sheep, and traveled a long distance at the beckon of a star, to worship this newborn and to recognize the gift that God sent to us that first Christmas. It is at that point that you become real confused, as if an angel stood before you and asked you to explain how, what you are doing correlates with what the Shepherds did. They didn’t worship the host of heavenly angels, because they knew it was about the One whom the angels sang about. They didn’t praise the star for taking them in the right direction, because it took them to the bedside of the newborn King. They didn’t go off course to see if any stores were opened, because they knew that giving of themselves was way more important than anything artificial or bought, that they could take in their hands. The angel stopped John from paying homage to him, because he was like John, a worshipper and a servant. If the angel stopped us and redirected our thoughts towards the reason for the season, Jesus Christ, what do you suppose he might suggest that we do? Perhaps like the Shepherds, give ourselves completely to our Lord? The Shepherds also worshipped the newborn King, perhaps the angel might suggest that we consider putting everything else aside and concentrate on Jesus, worship Him as our King and devote the day to Him? Perhaps our Christmas should revolve around giving of ourselves, and not the things that we purchase to demonstrate how much we care. John was told by the angel that Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. I believe the angel would remind us this holiday season that Jesus is the spirit of Christmas!

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for sending Your Son as a baby, so that we might ultimately have a Savior who would save us of our sin, and redeem us, fit for heaven for all eternity. This may have been a year filled with signs and wonders, but Lord, we need to hear from You again, much like Your messenger spoke to John in our Scripture today. Please help us to keep our eyes fixed on You as we celebrate Your birth. In spite of our sacrifices for gifts that may or may not be of value to those we love, I pray that You will help us to keep our hearts and minds fixed on You, the greatest gift ever given by Your Father to mankind. Happy Birthday Jesus! Please accept my humble gift of myself as a token of my love for my Savior and King. May the hearts of my readers also be touched by You this Christmas, so that You may be lifted up and praised like never before. 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!

You Are Precious

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

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2020-12-24
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Zechariah 2:6-9
TRANSLATION: New Century Version (NCV)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 “Oh no! Oh no! Run away from Babylon, because I have scattered you like the four winds of heaven,” says the Lord.
7 “Oh no, Jerusalem! Escape, you who live right in Babylon.” 8 This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: “After he has honored me and sent me against the nations who took your possessions—because whoever touches you hurts what is precious to me— 9 I will shake my hand against them so that their slaves will rob them.”
Then you will know that the Lord All-Powerful sent me.

OBSERVATION: God referred to His people (the Jews in Babylon) as being ‘precious’ in His sight. Based on His sacrifice and various indications in the New Testament of His love for those who have accepted His precious Son, I believe that we are also considered ‘precious’ in His sight. No doubt many of you are struggling with many things that seemed to have hit us this year and we all need to be encouraged by the fact that we are the apple of God’s eye, as some translations put it, or precious to God, as other translations did. Oh my, who are we that the God of this universe should consider us so special? Wow!

APPLICATION: After bringing the Israelites safely through the wilderness in a journey lasting over 40 years, God disbursed those who had not learned a lesson in obedience and worship to Himself. However, Zechariah was ordained by God to begin calling His people home. It sounds to me that this is in preparation for His return, because He said that Jerusalem would be bursting at its seams – overflowing with people and animals (food). This being the case, I believe that those of us that have accepted the Lord Jesus, and are still alive, will also be called together with God’s people, for we are considered His children, or His chosen ones, and we have been promised a grand meeting in the air when He calls us home to glory. Friends, we have a wonderful time ahead of us, no matter what we suffer or endure here on earth, for the King is coming, and He’s coming for you and I! Surely after the trials of 2020, we are all hoping that this will be sooner than later, but as a friend of mine says at the end of each Bible verse he posts: Keep our eyes on Jesus and our mind in the Book! For God is the only One who knows the day, the hour and the minute of His return, so our best clues will come from the Book! The other thing about today’s verses is the reminder of how precious we are to God. I love to see the emotional return of our troops when they greet their children for the first time. It’s like they don’t want to let them go. Don’t you know that the greeting by our Heavenly Father will be with the same intensity, warmth and love? One of my favorite hymns about that greeting is: Oh I want to see Him, look upon His face. There to sing forever of His wondrous grace...! I can hardly wait dear friends! I hope that you are prepared and also ready to meet our Creator when He returns to take His precious children (the church) home. You are the apple of His eye, so He is waiting to hear from you. If you have doubts, please look at my Footnote and particularly click on the link ‘To Know Jesus’. I have include multiple Biblical references that will help guide you to the throne of grace and accept Jesus as your Lord. Of course, you can always click on the link for Nuggets below and contact me. Share your decisions with me and/or ask questions that might help you make decisions. I would be overjoyed to introduce you to my Lord, or help in any other way that I can.

PRAYER: Oh the joy of knowing that there is more to expect than the challenges of this earth that we encounter from day to day! Praise God for His promises – always true and always with us in mind. To be considered a son, and precious in the sight of the Lord is an awesome honor and a warm hope, unrivaled with anything else available to mankind! Thank You precious Lord. Please speak with all my readers and give us assurance that our loved ones will also be ready to meet You, for we are very concerned about those we love. We want to see You dear Lord, and we want to worship You in Your place at the right hand of the Father. Come Lord Jesus, come! 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!