Tag: Seek God

Leaders Needed Who Will Seek God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Seek God First, Seek God's Face, Seeking God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2023-01-25
WRITTEN AT: Live Oak, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Chronicles 14:9-11; 13-14;
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 9 The Philistines arrived and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10 So David asked God, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord replied, “Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.” 11 So David and his troops went up to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “God did it!” David exclaimed. “He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” ….  13 … after a while the Philistines returned and raided the valley again. 14 And once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees.

APPLICATION: I found it interesting that within just a few verses, God chose to show us that there are times when He will agree with our decisions, but also times when He will not – due to circumcisions beyond our ability to know or understand. What then is our responsibility in these scenarios? I believe it is important for us to first of all remind ourselves why we seek the face of God in the first place. If we know what needs to be done, and we feel empowered to carry out the necessary actions, then why seek God’s approval? Fortunately, our scenarios fall into the same category as our tomorrows, and a song was written to help remind us exactly who knows about tomorrow. Listen to that song while you meditate on the remainder of this devotional – I don’t know about tomorrow! If we know there will be a ‘tomorrow’, and if we know what will transpire tomorrow, then we can say precisely what we will do tomorrow. If we knew that, unlike this story of David, God would always agree with our decisions, then we could feel safe and secure in proceeding into tomorrow as we decide to. If we knew that there was no one, or anything out there bigger or more powerful than us, then we would feel honored to tell our servants, armies or helpers to proceed with the actions we command. But the mentioned ‘if statements’ are huge, and something we will never know for certain. You see, David knew that no matter how close he was to God, he still couldn’t take God’s place in knowing whether he and his army could win over the Philistines or whether this was the right time to enter into battle against them. He remembered that it was from the Philistines that the giant came and held back a whole army of men. David was also smart enough to know that because God agreed for him to fight the Philistines, and win the battle at Baal-perazim, that God didn’t also give him approval to go into battle in the Valley at a later date, knowing that the same approval was still good for that battle. God gives permission for us to proceed with a request at the time, and for the purpose of our request, only. For we could never handle knowing what tomorrow will bring. At work, new circumstances will require new approval under the current circumstances. So, it is with God. I believe it is evident that David was under no pressure or worrying himself to death, when he sought God’s approval to battle with the Philistines. And while this could speak volumes to our daily decisions, my heart became burdened for our leaders as I read this account. Not just political leaders, but think of parents, teachers, pastors, youth leaders, local government officials and yes, parliamentary and national government leaders. What if we elected leaders who would study the effect of David’s practices and follow his lead in seeking the face of God, before making decisions – many of which are being made blindly, with no idea of what impact the decisions would have on their subjects. Perhaps this is why the Word of God states ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you’. What if we had that phrase as our national motto that all leaders and subjects will follow? I bet we will gain the respect of all other nations, for they will recognize that our leader is God Almighty! But let’s start at the very beginning – who is your personal leader? Our national leaders will only practice what they believed and practiced in their prime years of life, If God was their leader in their youth, then they will lightly look to Him as an adult and as a leader of many.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Take it to the Lord in prayer. As we do, we can relax and expect His decision to guide us into all truth and every success of life!

PRAYER: At the dawn of another day, we approach Your throne knowing that we want to accomplish a lot today, but in our own power we know that ‘man plans and God laughs’, because we have no idea what today or tomorrow holds. So Lord, I believe that my readers and listeners will gladly join with me in asking that You guide us in the path You would have us go today where the greatest impact may occur for Your kingdom’s sake. Without Christ, we are no different to all other men. But in the power, wisdom and truth of our Lord and Savior, we can proceed knowing that greater is He that is in our hearts than he that is in the world. You’ve got the whole world in Your hands, please help us to enter into that world knowing that you’re in control and that we must follow Your commands and Your directions so that we might accomplish Your will. As we pray for our leaders, may our families, churches, cities and our nation become stronger as a result of allowing You to guide and direct, and may Your people live in peace until You call us home to our final home with You and the Father! 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!

Find Strength In The Lord Your God

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

DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2021-11-10
WRITTEN AT: Ormond Beach, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Samuel 30:6-8
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 David was desperate. His soldiers were so upset over what had happened to their sons and daughters that they were thinking about stoning David to death. But he felt the Lord God giving him strength, 7 and he said to the priest, “Abiathar, let’s ask God what to do.”Abiathar brought everything he needed to get answers from God, and he went over to David. 
8 Then David asked the Lord, “Should I go after the people who raided our town? Can I catch up with them?”
“Go after them,” the Lord answered. “You will catch up with them, and you will rescue your families.”

APPLICATION: In times of desperation, I believe that we tend to respond in ways that our audience at the time expects. If we are around church, we may implore the prayers of our pastor or perhaps an elder of the church, for we tend to feel like they have an intimate connection with God. Often at work we will huddle in the corner with close associates who may have gone through a similar challenge as you are facing. They may offer to take you out for a drink, or if they know the Lord, they may agree to remember you in prayer. If around family or very close friends, I believe that battle quickly becomes personal and vendettas are immediately engineered for you to take revenge. If you are alone, and if you have, or ever had, a relationship with God, then I believe you may look up and ask God for help. Now let’s look at David’s reaction: Perhaps you are similar to me in that while we are away from home, we tend to think of what we will say to our loved ones when we return, and how we will hug them tight and just love on them for a very long time. But, upon returning to their hometown, David and his men found that their town had been burned and that their wives and children had been taken from them. Notice that no one was exempt, for David lost both of his wives also. His men were expectedly upset and in their hurt and anger for revenge and resolution, they started planning to turn to David for revenge. They were planning to stone him. But here is our lesson from this unfortunate incident: Because of David’s intimate relationship with God, and based on his recurring and repeated answers from God in past circumstances, David knew that there was only one to turn to in this desperate and critical time. Where and who do you tend to turn to my friend? Notice how clearly and confidently God gave instructions to David? Notice how God didn’t mislead David or show any doubt about the necessary actions, nor the expected results? Notice how David never asked for revenge or payback, nor for any personal favors because his wives were captured? David wanted only God’s perfect plan to be fulfilled and for the benefit of all who were hurting. He could have asked God to help him escape from his angry men for his personal safety, but that was never a consideration. Let me recommend to all who will read or listen to this devotional: please click on the Scripture reference above and read this short chapter. I was totally amazed at how David not only sought God in the heat of his desperation, but also how he maintained such a calm and giving spirit, even after everything had been taken away from him personally. Let’s try not to ‘lose it’ when we feel like the world is against us, instead look with humble hearts to the God who can do ALL things, and praise Him for all that He blesses us with!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Even when it seems like the world is against us, God is always for us, and nothing catches Him by surprise. Make Him your primary ‘go-to’ for all of life’s worries and concerns!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Jesus my Lord, thank You for the reassurance given to us through your servant David. I am confident that what You did for David, You can and will do the same for those of us who depend on You as our primary ‘go-to’ for every concern of this life. Some days it seems like we have way too many worries to bother You with, but I believe You were sincere when You told us to bring all of our cares to You – the only One who truly cares about us and can do anything at all about our concerns. Many days life seems overwhelming for us, but praise God I know that this is just a very small part of the puzzle You have permitted us to encounter, and to generate growth, in our walk with You. Lord, many are watching us like we watched what David did. May others see the hand of God in everything we do or say, so they may be drawn to You. 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!

The Rewards for Trust

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Salvation, Worship2 Comments

DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2020-09-05
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Jeremiah 39:16-18
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT:  16 ….The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I will do to this city everything I threatened; I will destroy it before your eyes, 17 but I will deliver you. You shall not be killed by those you fear so much. 18 As a reward for trusting me, I will preserve your life and keep you safe.”

OBSERVATION: There are certain things that frighten us and cause us to ‘shake in our boots’! However we often have opportunity to do something about the problem and either prevent the thing that frightens us, or deal with the fear of it. But what motivates us to accept help or protection? Based on what God did for the Ethiopian, Ebed-melech, I believe that God assures His children today that we too can avoid the fright of receiving due punishment for our sins on Judgment Day, if we place our faith and trust in Him, like Ebed-melech did. What’s your excuse, or reason, for refusing this assurance? Are you not sufficiently afraid yet, or do you feel like you have control over the time you have left?

APPLICATION: If we are afraid of sharks, then we will choose to swim only in safe waters, and we will stay safely ashore or in the middle of a boat to prevent someone from pushing us overboard! The same is true with snakes – we will stay out of the woods, or look intently while walking through the woods, in order to prevent an encounter with a possible venomous snake! To avoid being injured, or possibly killed, we will stay clear of a fight or serious argument. But we’ve been told about the God who loves us beyond imagination, yet we live reckless lives, and not afraid of sin or its temptation. We know already that we could only avoid the pit of hell, by knowing Jesus personally and holding on to His nail-scared hand daily. Yet we choose to follow a path where sin is rampant, and temptation extends out to the weak and unguarded. Do you really not care about the effects of a burning hell dear friend? Notice that our friend, Ebed-melech did not wait until a moment of threat, but instead he was ready when God warned he and the Israelites about their impending destruction. That’s similar to how it will be on Judgment Day, for no one knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return to take His chosen ones home to glory. But Jesus is coming for those who are called by His name – those who have the blood of Jesus sprinkled on their heads, for they have accepted the crucified One, and they are now awaiting the risen Lord, as He breaks through the clouds to take His children home. His coming will not need our prior approval, for God is in charge of the return of His Son. Today we know how to ready ourselves for that glorious day and we know that one day soon, Jesus will return. Friends, God saved Ebed-melech because he had already secured his salvation. God has also promised to save us from eternal condemnation if we have made things right through accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Do you feel secure in your salvation, dear one? Or are you destined for hell? It’s your choice, and I pray in all earnest that you will make your decision today, for there is no assurance about tomorrow.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please touch the lives of Your children today. I sincerely plead with my readers to seek the Lord while He may be found, and to surrender your lives to the Master while you still have life and breath to do so. Lord, You have promised us life eternal for those who have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. Thank You for my salvation Lord Jesus, now please touch the heart of each one who reads this devotional and help them to seek You while You may be found. In the name of Jesus, I ask all this. 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!

Ask For Whatever You Want

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, God's WillLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Tuesday, 2017-11-21
SCRIPTURE

From:

 1 Kings 3:5 (NIV)

Text:

  5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
OBSERVATION:
Solomon went to worship center at Gibeon, as it was one of the largest centers nearest to him. After going through a very large sacrifice,  he spent the night there at Gibeon. I believe that God knew that this very young king was flustered with the awesome responsibility placed on his shoulders, but I also believe that God knew that Solomon had a great desire to reign in a way pleasing to God, like his father, David, did.
APPLICATION:
I’m sure that if God posed such an invitation to us as He did to David, that we might take a few hours to relay our ‘Santa Claus’ list to Him. However, I also know that God knew Solomon’s heart and his desire to lead well, and pleasing to God. I wonder if you had actually prayed for the first thing that came to your mind when you read the title of this devotional, how impressed God would be with you? I wonder who else would benefit from that request? Friends, I believe that God created us to worship and adore Him, and to sing His praises at every opportunity. To achieve that goal, we need a mighty God to help us keep our eyes focused on Him; we need to understand what God may present circumstances that are totally over our head, like it was for Solomon; We need wisdom to discern right decisions and responses, so that God might be lifted up and not our small selves or our selfish desires. Friends, each of us play a role in setting an example for others, so the decisions we make not only affect us personally, but also the one(s) that follow us. That may not mean much to you, because you may feel like you only have a small group of friends. I pray that God may open your eyes to the awesome group of people that look to you for wisdom, for personal advice, for dress code, for your reaction to situations. It’s so easy to say that you don’t care what others think of you, but God resides inside of you, and He does – if you have surrendered your life to Him through the Lord Jesus Christ. So would you think that God would ever say that He doesn’t care what others think of Him? With God inside of you through the Holy Spirit, your attitude of caring and lovingly convincing the unsaved of their need for a Savior, will directly impact your relationship with Christ. You will either enhance your relationship – by doing His perfect will, or you will disappoint Him terribly if you insist on doing things your way. Solomon welcomed the help of God, and it resulted in him being one of the best kings of his time. There’s no telling what God can use you for, if you totally surrender your will to His, and invite Him to lead and direct your heart and your ways. There are help tips in my footnote, but the invitation to contact me directly via email is always open.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, it seems like we are so small in the great big world, and that our input is so limited or worthless. However, I believe that this study is a reminder that as God’s servants, we must always remember that it is He who does the miracles through His humble servants. Lord, please speak to the hearts of each one reading this devotional. Tender their hearts to total obedience to You so that ‘their’ world of friends and contacts will be touched miraculously by You. It’s You that we love and adore oh Lord. please have Your perfect will in our lives 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 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!

Your Church – House of ‘Prayer’?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Church, Power of Prayer, Prayer, The ChurchLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Thursday, 2017-08-31
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Luke 19:45-47 (NLT)

Text:

  45 Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. 46 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”47 After that, he taught daily in the Temple….
OBSERVATION:
In the verses immediately preceding these, Jesus entered into Jerusalem and wept over the city because of all that He saw going on there. The sadness stirred His anger as He walked into the temple, a place set aside for prayer, as declared in Isaiah 56:7. Jesus immediately thought of the prophecy by Jeremiah where he declared that the house of God would be turned in a den of thieves (Jer. 7:11). Let’s see how this impacts us today….
APPLICATION:
In our study yesterday, we looked at the results of the Israelites ‘crying out to God’. My interpretation of that is: they were pleading earnestly with God in prayer for Him to rescue them. Throughout the Bible we see example after example where successful, dedicated men of God pleaded earnestly with God for His protection, guidance and wisdom. Would you dare say that each of our churches are more dedicated to prayer than anything else in our ministry? I believe that I can safely say that churches today are more geared towards praise and worship, preaching the Word, youth and children’s programs and adult ministries that may, or may not, be linked to a Bible Study or prayer. For those churches who still have prayer meetings, it is one of the least attended services of the week, with very few exceptions. So this makes me question, can God look at our church as a real Isaiah 56:7 church? I believe,  that we can attribute this to the heart of our people during the week. If we pray and meditate during the week, we will certainly miss that, and demand it for the church at large, during corporate worship, or even that we hold special prayer meetings. I heard one old saint say that if all we were going to do on Wednesday nights is pray, he just won’t come, for he wanted to hear the Pastor teach! This may be the heart set of many, but yet we call it ‘Prayer Meeting’! Jesus said in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that ‘if my people would humble themselves and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven….’ Friends, I believe this is telling us that we need God’s help to turn from our wicked ways; we need His power to heal our wicked, sinful land; and we know for sure that He is the only one capable of touching the heart of mankind and creating within them a desire to accept Jesus as Lord. This all starts with prayer! Please give this a much higher priority in your home, in your church, and in your life! As God heals our land, you will be among that crowd! 
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, just as You cleansed the temple before You taught, please cleanse me of all my sin so that You may also teach me Your truths and give me opportunities to share that with others. Lord, I would also ask that You work in the lives of our church leaders to assume the primary focus of Your intent for the church, that it be a place of prayer, where we sometime preach, and teach, and have fun times, and have great praise teams, etc. May the main thing be the main thing in my church oh Lord, my Rock, my Redeemer; and soon coming King, 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!

God Wants You To Turn To Him

On By Ed AlgreenIn Jesus Loves you, Surrender, What The Lord WantsLeave a comment

Monday, 2016-10-03

Scripture

Bible Reference: Romans 2:3–4

Bible Text:  1 Some of you accuse others of doing wrong. But there is no excuse for what you do. When you judge others, you condemn yourselves, because you are guilty of doing the very same things. 2 We know that God is right to judge everyone who behaves in this way. 3 Do you really think God won’t punish you, when you behave exactly like the people you accuse? 4 You surely don’t think much of God’s wonderful goodness or of his patience and willingness to put up with you. Don’t you know that the reason God is good to you is because he wants you to turn to him?

Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take

Years ago in the United States, there was a commercial that read “I Want You”, and this was used in the recruiting program of the US Army. Of course, there’s also a number of songs by this title with men singing to their girl, or girls singing to their man. In the case of the US Army, there are stringent requirements of all applicants. In our scripture today we are challenged to be thoughtful of how patient God is with us, in spite of how we tend to ignore His warnings. In fact, Paul is challenging us to be careful that we live like God demands, for many of us tend to live like the very ones we accuse of evil doing. Friends, we must always remind ourselves when we point a finger at someone else, that there are several that are pointing right back at ourselves. Oh that we may use the evil that we see in others, as a reminder of the weak condition that we ourselves are in, and how susceptible we are to the same sin that we see our brother or sister weakened by. May our recognition of their sin be a reminder of the even stronger need of prayer for ourselves. Friends, our desire should always be that we become as strong, loving, caring and sinless as Jesus, and not as weak or weaker than our brother or sister who may be suffering from the result of their sin. In verse 4, we are reminded of the immeasurable goodness of Jesus to us, and this is not only because He loves us more than we could ever imagine, but also because He wants to attract us to Himself. From our very earliest days, we have probably heard that Jesus loves us. In these verses today we are reminded again that Jesus loves us and wants us to accept Him as Lord over everything in our lives. Have you responded to His call yet friend? Please be reminded that today is the day of decision, for we have no assurance that we will be around tomorrow. May I encourage you to read my Footnote, and seek the face of Jesus for yourself?

Prayer

Lord, You are good and Your mercies endure forever! Thank You Lord for being so good to us. Thank You for opening our eyes to the sin of others. May we use these opportunities to seek Your face and clean up our act, instead of beating up on the brother or sister who may be weakened by the temptation of sin. Thank You for desiring to have us in Your family and kingdom. Please help us to keep that foremost in our minds as we face the challenges of this day. May we always resolve to follow You, instead of the temptations of this world. In deepest love and appreciation I ask these things heavenly Father, AMEN!

Footnote

If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

Ready To Help, But….

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Faith, Righteousness1 Comment

Scripture: Isaiah 65.

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Isaiah 65:1-2 (NLT)
1 The LORD says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name.
2 All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I believe that if I had not quoted the book and verses for the scripture, you may have thought that God was speaking to our nation today. The sad thing is friend that I believe God is speaking to our nation in very similar words today. Think about it, our churches are empty, with some having closed their doors due to lack of attendance. Mind you, attendance sharply increases when there is a disaster and fellow humans realize that they have no control over the situation. Far too often we place our relationship with God secondary to anything else that may come up and possibly give us earthly pleasure or financial gain. When I think of a nation who refuses to call on the Lord’s name, unfortunately I think of a people who expect all the gifts from God that He could possibly send their way, if He would be willing to send the gifts without too much commitment from them. I am so concerned about a people who looks to my God as a spiritual Santa Claus, not as a loving Father with whom we can have a real, meaningful, loving, caring, two-way relationship with. Following our own evil paths and schemes without allowing God to intervene and direct us is very dangerous and often leads to self-destruction. God loves us so much that He stands ready and poised to accept our hand and our plea for help. He will not force His way into our midst unwelcomed, we must invite Him and commit to follow His ways. Please reconsider your relationship with God today, won’t you?

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, I am very much in need of Your leadership and direction today. Thank You for standing ready to help me as I seek Your face, for there are so many circumstances that I feel helpless in and so many decisions that I feel so unqualified to make. However, I know that just how You loved me enough to die on the cross for my sins, I believe that You will lovingly accept my hand outstretched to You today. Please lead me, guide me, direct my paths, teach me Your ways, lead me not into temptation, help me to put away childish and earthly thoughts and instead allow You to lead my every step. Please forgive me where I have been too selfish and proud to look to You first in everything. Please touch the lives of those that may read this devotional and feel equally as challenged by it as I was. Draw us close to You dear Lord.

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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