Tag: Reflection

Embracing Legacy: Lessons from 1 Peter

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Monday, July 7, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Blue Tree Resort at Lake Buena Vista, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read 1 Peter 1:13-16 in your Bible or click on it to read it online in the Good News Translation (GNT).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.
Our ongoing reflection on the past parallels the journey of Peter, as we often look back on our ancestors’ achievements and our own life experiences with a sense of satisfaction. Peter, however, encouraged his audience—an encouragement that, by its inclusion in the Bible, is also meant for us—to let these memories inspire purpose and determination moving forward. While Peter did not discourage thoughtful consideration of our heritage, he prompted believers to allow such reflection to energize their commitment and resolve, guided now by the mindset of Christ. This approach ensures that present actions may likewise inspire coming generations.

Although we cannot change what our ancestors have done, we can draw from their strengths, wisdom and resolve and strive to avoid repeating their evident missteps. Each day offers an opportunity to shape a legacy that others may study, critique, and perhaps emulate. Reflecting on my youth, I often believed that my modern perspectives surpassed those of my parents. Yet, over time, their wisdom and experience demonstrated more reliable and trustworthy paths forward. Nothing beats experience and the guidance of Almighty God. Observing younger generations today, I hope they will make informed, mature decisions—taking into account not only new ideas but also the lessons imparted by us and prior generations.

Jesus’ message through Peter challenges believers to keep in mind the promise of His return, recognizing that our present conduct and life-decisions regarding salvation can influence this future encounter. Our daily choices may lead to commendation or questioning, acceptance or rejection into heaven. I believe that how we have stewarded the gifts bestowed upon us will be of particular interest to the Master. The impact we make may bring others to Christ or, regrettably, serve as a deterrent—something to be taken seriously.

Verse 16 teaches us to pursue holiness, just as Christ is holy. While Jesus’ divinity sets Him apart, Scripture affirms that believers are empowered by the One living within them—greater than any earthly power. Ultimately, it is a personal choice: whom will you choose to emulate today? Does your life reflect readiness to meet Christ and encourage others to seek Him as well? If not, consider inviting Christ into your life, allowing Him to guide your actions for the benefit of the Kingdom.

PRAYER
Precious Lord Jesus, thank You for blessing us with a place to live, friends to encourage us, and a church family to love on us and encourage our walk with You. It seems natural for us to reflect on our ancestors and our past, but I am thankful for Your Word today that encourages us to look forward to a very special day when You call us (believers) home to glory. Please help us to fix our eyes, our heart and our mind on what lies ahead for us. You went to the extreme in showing such love through Your sacrifice on Calvary and still went even further to prepare a home for us, that where You are, we may be also. Oh, what a glorious thought to one day be with our Savior, Lord and Master forever in heaven – Your perfect place/eternal home with the father. Please help us to live life here with our prospects of heaven at the forefront of our minds, so that others could see, experience our joy, and look forward to being with You also! AMEN

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian Walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

Are You Paying Attention?

On By Ed AlgreenIn direction, God's Guidance, Guidance, Leadership, Leadership of the Holy SpiritLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Saturday, 2017-06-10
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Numbers 22:32-33 (GW)

Text:

 32 The Messenger of the Lord asked him, “Why have you hit your donkey three times like this? I’ve come here to stop you because the trip you’re taking is evil. 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away from me, I would certainly have killed you by now but spared the donkey.”
OBSERVATION:
Balaam had some ulterior motives to go and see King Balak. Knowing how self focused we could be when dealing with selfish desires, God warned Balaam before he left home, but He decided to warn him yet again along the way. He did this by placing a messenger in the path of Balaam’s donkey to try and get him off track. Balaam was so upset with the donkey seemed self controlled instead of obeying his master, that he would have killed the donkey did he have the right gear at the time. Let’s apply this to our lives today….
APPLICATION:
Just as God tried to redirect Balaam, He also dealt with Jonah in a similar fashion. For He had a ministry in store for Jonah, but instead Jonah decided to take a boat elsewhere. After winding up in the belly of a huge fish for three days, Jonah got the message. What does it take for God to get our attention? Ever looked back on life and realized how disastrous life would have been had you followed your own inclination? When we sought God about moving to the US from our home country, the Bahamas, it all came through very quickly. Family members thought we were absolutely nuts and possibly going through a midlife crisis. Within one year of our move, one of those same family members told me, after having his heart repaired following a heart attack, that now he could see clearly why God moved us here. A similar incident occurred within a few years and it was once again reaffirmed that we followed God’s will. In man’s eyes, there is nothing special about this servant of God, but in God’s eyes, I’m His son, a recipient of the blood He shed for us at Calvary, and He wants His very best for His kids. Have I also been disappointed in life, you betcha, but understanding that I have the God of this universe directing me – opening doors of opportunity and closing doors that may have thrown me off-track, I am convinced that He who started a good work in me, will continue to see me through life until the day I stand in His presence in glory! I was reminded of these ‘building stones’ or highlights one night when given the opportunity to share my story with another Christian Brother. Try that some time friend. I believe that you too will reflect on times when God spoke to you and you may have declined His invitation. For those of you that did accept His invitation to permit Him to rule and reign in your life, I believe you too will reflect on times that God would have opened doors for you, and times when He placed an angel in your path, like Balaam, to prevent you taking the path you were asking Him permission to take. God loves us friend, and He will honor His Word that He will take care of those entrusted into His care. Let Him guide and protect you Friend. Pay attention to the ways that He is directing You. Always pray for guidance and His perfect will for your life, then pay attention!
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, the adversary is pushing at every turn to indulge in our weaknesses and try to get us off-track in our mission to serve You and be obedient to Your every command. Please help us to keep our eyes so permanently fixed on You that our path is directed by You and very clear to us which way we should turn. Lord, I believe that there will be some who reads this blog that are currently going through testing and times of decision on which way to turn next. Please give each of us assurance today, that You are still God and that You will take care of Your own. Help us to totally surrender our will to You and be willing to accept all the ways that You will guide us, for Your eternal glory. Lord we praise You in advance knowing that as You have guided us already, You will continue. 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 could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!