Hope Even In Your Storm

On 2016-07-262016-07-26 By Ed AlgreenIn Hope, Peace, TrustLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2016-07-26

Scripture

Bible Reference: Matthew 14:28-31

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

Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take

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

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

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

Prayer

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

Footnote

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

Is God Pleased?

On 2016-07-25 By Ed AlgreenIn Missions, Pleasing to God, Reaching the LostLeave a comment

Monday, 2016-07-25

Scripture

Bible Reference: Ezekiel 22:30–31

Bible Text: 30 “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. 31 So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!”

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

There was so much going on in the day of Ezekiel, that God was hopeful that He would find a good cell of churches or Godly people that would convince Him not to destroy those who promoted the evil of the day. This led me to question whether God might feel like we (the church) are doing enough in our day that He might feel like the sacrifice of His precious Son was worth it. I am encouraged when I hear of what churches are doing outside of their four walls, but this is often limited to very few. Unfortunately, most churches are so caught up in denominational-ism that they are not allowed, or unwilling to tarnish their beliefs by joining hands with another group for the good of the community. In God’s statement through Ezekiel, He was looking for some hope that His message was penetrating the hearts of the people. Nothing was said about which ordinances we adopted or how we decided to administer them. Friends, I believe that we get so caught up in the small things of our specific churches, that we forget there are people in our community who have not accepted the simple love of Jesus, so they are dying and going to Hell without ever being told otherwise. Often we acknowledge needs across the world, and we send missionaries thousands of miles away to minister in God’s name, but do we do enough in our own communities to satisfy the concern of God? Are we truly bridging the gap in our own communities for God? Will God find us faithful to the tasks He has laid out for us, and indeed save our land? If we are satisfied that we have reached our communities, then we need to make sure that our state and our country is also in order. We need to be willing to let God work through us at all levels, so that all will hear and believe, God being our helper!

Prayer

Lord thank you for placing us in our respective communities with lots still to be done. How will the people know, if we don’t go out and tell them, is the thought offered in another part of scripture, that I feel is so applicable to what is taught in this lesson today. Please help us to continue thinking outside of the box of selfish desires and outside of the four walls of our respective churches, so that the world will know who Jesus is. Please make us keenly aware of the needs of our communities more than any other mission efforts we may undertake. For as our hometown people know and believe, we can join hands to reach the state, country and the world. Thank You Lord for the opportunity to serve in Your army. Use us now to be Your instruments of change. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Footnote

How to Find ‘Real LIFE’

On 2016-07-232016-07-24 By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Biblical Decisions, HeavenLeave a comment

Saturday, 2016-07-23

Scripture

Bible Reference: Ezekiel 20:11,13

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

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

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

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

Prayer

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

Footnote

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

Accountability

On 2016-07-22 By Ed AlgreenIn AccountabilityLeave a comment

Friday, 2016-07-22

Scripture

Bible Reference: Ezekiel 18:30–32

Bible Text: 30 I will judge each of you for what you’ve done. So stop sinning, or else you will certainly be punished. 31 Give up your evil ways and start thinking pure thoughts. And be faithful to me! Do you really want to be put to death for your sins? 32 I, the LORD God, don’t want to see that happen to anyone. So stop sinning and live!

Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take

I want to try something a little different today in my blog, as I want to illustrate the various ways that we are held accountability, and the subsequent results, so that together we will get a better understanding why God also holds us accountable:

Home:
- Unless we take our roles seriously, and treat each one appropriately with love, respect, care and understanding, we could very easily lose our spouse or our children or even our parents. We are accountable to each other, or we lose them;
- For the safety of our homes, we lock doors and windows, and some may even have alarm systems. Unless we take time to do these things, we could attract robbers and wind up with injuries or losing the contents of our home;
Work:
- Unless we follow the rules and expectations of our employer, we could very easily wind up losing our jobs. We are accountable to them for satisfactory work, in return for the right of being paid a salary;
Church:
- Pastors and leaders have a responsibility to God to preach the Word and provide opportunity for their congregation to worship God. Failing to take this responsibility seriously could lead to personal discipline from God, but also result in losing the church because of missed opportunities to meet the needs of members and/or followers;
God:
- In the verses we are looking at this morning, God said that if we continue on sinning, we will be punished, and this may even lead to death;
- God also said that unless we start thinking pure and upright thoughts, we will sin and it will lead to His strong hand of discipline.

Friends, God is not pulling any punches here. He is very forthcoming in telling us that the consequences for our evil thoughts and our sin will lead to eternal death (Hell with Satan). Jesus provided for us the way of redemption, which is the way to eternal life and the glories of heaven with He and the Father. It just don’t get any better than that! So why not hold yourself accountable to doing the right thing. Accept the love offered by God. Ask Jesus to be your Savior and Lord, and aim to live victoriously in His grace and wondrous love. This can happen today friend! In fact, you are not promised a minute after the very time that you ready this blog, for we are promised only the very moment in which we find ourselves. The next minute could find you standing before the throne being held accountability for your decisions made here on earth. Make it count friend, and do the right thing – now, while you have the opportunity.

Prayer

Father, You’ve given us the rules for this life that could result in where we will spend the next life. Having also given us the will to make our own decisions, You hold us accountable for the choices that we make. Please speak to those who know you already, but that You are holding accountable to live the life prescribed in Your Word. Please also speak to those You have created and made Your Word available to them, but they have rejected it and continue to live in sin. Please encourage each one today with the truth of Your Word, and help us to make appropriate decisions that will draw us closer to You. I ask these things believing with all my heart that You can do all things! AMEN!

Footnote

God’s In Control

On 2016-07-21 By Ed AlgreenIn All-powerful, Awesome God, Celebrate God, Chosen by God, Control, God our Helper, God our Provider, God's Power, Power of GodLeave a comment

Thursday, 2016-07-21

Scripture

Bible Reference: Job 34:10–13

Bible Text: 10 If any of you are smart, you will listen and learn that God All-Powerful
does what is right. 11 God always treats everyone the way they deserve, 12 and he is never unfair. 13 From the very beginning, God has been in control of all the world.

Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take

If, at work, I’m at the controls and operating the computer during a demonstration in the presence of an audience, I tend to be a little tensed and nervous at times, hoping that I’ll click on the right link, or get us to the next screen quickly and accurately. Recently I was at someone else’s office and they were ‘driving’ (operating the computer), and they quickly told me how stressed they were! Let’s consider that illustration together with the Word of God in the above verses. Wouldn’t it be easy to deduce that we would be a whole less stressed if we allow God to be God, instead of us trying to take that role on by doing things and making decisions without Him? Friends, we must always remember that, without our help, God created the universe; hung the stars in space; handled all of the intricate programming for the earth to spin just right so that we would receive the right amount, and duration, of sunlight. Recently I saw a photo of a waterfall coming down from a very high mountain. How is that possible? We usually dig deep into the ground for a well of water, do you suppose that anyone ever thought to go and dig at the top of a mountain? This is one of those unexplained wonders of the miraculous hand of God! So friends, why do you suppose that we fall into the tricks of Satan by thinking that our aches, pains, finances or other circumstances are beyond the ability of God to help us place in order? For those of us who have given God control of our lives, we are super blessed to be His child/His chosen one! He has already shown enough love for us that He sent His Son to Calvary as proof of His love and to provide a means of us getting to join Him in heaven, Can you even imagine how much more He has in store for His children? While this is reviving and encouraging for the believer in Jesus Christ, this should also be an answer to many who are stressed to the limit and need the hope of One who is greater than all of their concerns! May I encourage you to read my ‘Footnote’ for tips on how to know this Jesus of mine, this Strong One who has been in control of this world from the very beginning? I can assure you that you will never regret it!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Creator of this world and of every human being, thank You for accepting us as your children, and for allowing us access to Your throne. Please help us to place our faith and trust in You and Your awesome power. Our issues often appear very large and insurmountable to us, but when we consider the awesome works of Your hand, we can rest assured knowing that we’re in good hands.Thank You Father for loving us enough to care so much about us. Please help us to show our appreciation and respect of your power, by giving You full control of our lives. Lord, rule in us and show Your power through us as we share Your love with others. In the wonderful name of Jesus I ask these things, AMEN!

Footnote

Are You Ready For Your Blessing?

On 2016-07-18 By Ed AlgreenIn Idols, SacrificeLeave a comment

Monday, 2016-07-18

Scripture

Bible Reference: Ezekiel 11:18–21

Bible Text: 18 ….. I want you to clear the land of all disgusting idols. 19 Then I will take away your stubbornness and make you eager to be completely faithful to me. You will want to obey me 20 and all my laws and teachings. You will be my people, and I will be your God. 21 But those who worship idols will be punished and get what they deserve. I, the LORD God, have spoken.

Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take

I have a relative who got saved and immediately went home and broke up his music records and tapes, and burnt up all of his cigarettes that he had on hand. He felt like these were ‘idols’ that would tempt him back into sin. In our scripture today, there were many Israelites that were scattered away from their home country and God told Ezekiel that He would bless them after they returned, provided that they first clear the land of the idols. This made me think about what idols may be interfering with our blessing today. I know, we don’t have the huge idols that our people go up to and worship, as if they have power to help them overcome some issue they might be going through. But friends, these chosen verses today really spells out what types of idols may be applicable to us today, for God actually explains to Ezekiel what He will do to actually bring the people more in line with himself. Here are some of the things, with a few ideas from me:

Take away stubbornness – Isn’t this brought on by us wanting our own way? Wanting our own will, instead of totally surrendering to the will of a righteous and holy God?
Eager to be completely faithful to God – I wonder what all God would need to de-clutter from our lives so that we might be completely faithful to Him? How about things like: televisions; phones; tablets; cars; boats; finances; shopping; etc? Friends, when you stop and think good about it, God (and the things that tend to draw us closer to God) often takes second place to many other things in our lives, some of which I just gave you as an example.

Isn’t it unfortunate that God really only moves into first place on our priority list, when a need arises that we can’t solve via Google, or that our TV shows really haven’t addressed yet? I realize that all of this probably don’t apply to all of my precious readers, but may I ask you anyway to consider the following: First thing each morning, do you reach for your Bible, or some idol (device)? After getting your cup of coffee or tea, do you stop and get energized for the day mentally through the Word of God, or do you depend on what you are fed from your idol (TV; Mobile Device; Newspaper; etc)? In spite of God’s Word declaring that we should assemble ourselves together for worship and fellowship on our Sabbath, which of your idols tend to interfere with that? God said that He would really bless when we get rid of our ‘idols’. May I encourage you to take a missions trip to a third world country where many of these idols are not readily available and see how this might feel? It’s amazing how we easily find uninterrupted quiet time with the Lord! It can be done friends! Are you ready for your blessing?

Prayer

Father, You have blessed us beyond measure and I thank You. It is so unfortunate that we are now idolizing the very things that You have blessed us with, and often to the extent that we are excluding You, or at least distracted from all that You have to share with us. Please open our eyes to all that we have allowed ourselves to become, and instead help us to become more in love with the One who sacrificed His very own Son so that we might have a way into heaven. Lord, be glorified in us today. Help us to place aside our ‘idols’ for very specialized and personalized time with You. I ask this humbly in the Name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, AMEN!

Footnote

God Will Give Us What We Deserve

On 2016-07-16 By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Choices, SurrenderLeave a comment

Saturday, 2016-07-16

Scripture

Bible Reference: Revelation 2:23

Bible Text: Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I would encourage you to click on the Scripture Reference and read the related verses to the one published. You will realize that there is good and bad that results from such a statement as the one I used as my title for this devotional. It’s the same as every other aspect of life, for when you are called to the principal’s office, or to the boss’s office, you could receive a pat on the back for the fine job you are doing, or you May have been called in to be disciplined for the bad you have done. What then shall we do? Some find it ‘fun’ to continue living in sin, in spite of knowing about the end result. For others, we acknowledge the love of our Father and His awesome goodness to us, so we surrendered all that the world offered for all that God offered through the sacrifice of His precious Son. The change that resulted when Jesus moved in, has caused us to gain the desire to love, live, talk and act like the Savior who took up residence in our lives. Because Jesus showed such love and concern for us, we too should have a strong desire to pray for and encourage our friends who have chosen to accept the mediocre life that this world has to offer them, as it leads to eternal punishment and separation from God. Friends, this should keep us on our knees for our lost ones. Yes, we have good news and bad news in this passage today. On which side of the ‘fence’ are you? This is not based on a lotto as to who will gain this precious life filled with God’s Holy Spirit. You have made your decision. Fortunately, as long as you are alive you still have the option of changing your decision to receive eternal damnation, for a life forgiven by God and alive in Him. May I encourage you to use your good judgment and make decisions today that will guarantee your eternity? Make it count friend, meet my Savior and surrender to Him. This is THE only way to guarantee your eternity in Heaven – according to the Bible. I’m looking forward to seeing each of you there!! Drop me a note using the below email link and let me know that you’re in! Let’s rejoice together today!

Prayer

Father, I know it must hurt You to know that You have sacrificed right down to Your very own Son so that we may have peace on earth and eternity with You, yet some are satisfied to go on living without accepting Your precious gift. Please touch hearts today. I really would like to see all reading this devotional today be sure in their own heart that they have surrendered to You and are living according to Your Word. May it be so, please dear Jesus? For I ask this in Your most worthy name, AMEN!

Footnote

Toughened For The Battle As We Serve

On 2016-07-14 By Ed AlgreenIn Determined, PreparedLeave a comment

Thursday, 2016-07-14

Scripture

Bible Reference: Ezekiel 3:4–7

Bible Text: 4 The LORD said: Ezekiel, I am sending you to your own people. 7 They are Israelites, not some strangers who speak a foreign language you can’t understand. If I were to send you to foreign nations, they would listen to you. 7 But the people of Israel will refuse to listen, because they have refused to listen to me. All of them are stubborn and hardheaded,

Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take

Friends, there are a few substitutions I would like for you to make in the above verses: (1) Substitute the name of Ezekiel with your name, and (2) Substitute the reference to Israel or Israelites with the name of your country. Now re-read the verses with these substitutions. Hopefully you will see why this is just one more reason why God’s Word is so applicable to our current day, because people are still people – just as prone to sin and be hardhearted as indicated to Ezekiel. Although facing the same obstinate people as Ezekiel faced in his day, we may often feel like our country folk today are much worse at times! I believe that there are many times that our pastors and church leaders may often feel like throwing their hands up and saying ‘What’s the use’, until they read a story like this where God told Ezekiel that He would make him as stubborn and hardhearted as the people, but in a good way, so that he would toughen up for the task ahead. Friends, it is easy to cave in to the will of the people so that you may stay on good terms with them, and therefore feel like such a good cooperating citizen, but when we do that we become as bad as they are in their habits and likes and dislikes – in other words, we quickly become just like them in the face of a holy and righteous God. Friends, I am convinced that if God sends us, He will prepare us for the battle, and He will toughen us up to handle the scars of battle. Perhaps you are ready to give up your fight to imitate Jesus Christ in every aspect of your life and ministry, because of the opposition you are facing. Please be encouraged by the words of God to His servant Ezekiel, and know that this is the same God that we serve today. Let me encourage you to call out to God, and watch Him toughen you up for the battle also!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are holy and righteous, all-powerful and honorable in every way. You have prepared us for the tasks You have assigned us to, so please help us to keep our minds de-cluttered from any attempts by Satan to distract us from Your work/assignment. Many times it appears like there may not be an chance of success, but please help us to trust in You and allow You to do Your part in reaching the lost. We could never ‘save’ anyone. Please help us to do the work assigned to us and then watch the work that You will blossom in those lives. Please give us strength and wisdom every day to do Your perfect will, and may You receive glory for all that is accomplished through us, AMEN!

Footnote

Be Kind to God’s Messengers

On 2016-07-112016-07-14 By Ed AlgreenIn Forgiveness, Persecution, PerseveranceLeave a comment

Monday, 2016-07-11

Scripture

Bible Reference: Acts 26:10–11; 13–14

Bible Text: 10 ….. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. 11 Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.

13 …. as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. 14 We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

In some translations, the word ‘persecute’ is used several times in the few verses referenced. Here’s what that means: “to treat (someone) cruelly or unfairly especially because of race or religious or political beliefs“. I feel like God opened my eyes and reminded me that when we treat God’s messengers with contempt, then we are actually persecuting the Lord Jesus himself. This reminds me of a loving parent who feels condemned when their child is persecuted or ill-treated. So what is our lesson in this? After all, we don’t go about ‘persecuting’ our religious leaders. Or do we? How often do you hear corners of conversation that tend to chew up the sermon from your last service, or the dress code of the pastor, or the makeup on the worship team leader, or the audacity of the pastor to say what he did during his sermon? Is that complimentary of God’s messenger? Is that the precursor to a time of prayer that the group will have for their pastor? I’ve always said that one will get as much from a sermon, as they have prayed into it. Do you feel like we tend to persecute the pastor because God didn’t respond like we expected to our prayers for His messenger who stood in the pulpit? Friends, over in 2 Chronicles 7:14, God said that if we would humble ourselves and pray (not belittle or try to humble the pastor), and if we would seek His face, and if we would turn from our wicked ways, then He would hear from heaven, forgive our sins and restore our land. Notice the personal application there? Nothing about God taking care of all that we feel are inadequate, or who screw up at every opportunity. Friends, I believe that these scriptures are warning us that we have a full-time job doing all that God expects of us, so if we find that we are ‘persecuting’ anyone, then we are meddling and need to get back to the basics. Take care of self first, then perhaps we will not be near as critical of everyone else. Please don’t shrug this off as being super applicable to all of your friends. Allow God to search your heart and convict you of your sin and shortcomings. I believe you will find that there’s lots there to keep you on your knees for a very long time, including praying for your spiritual leaders. There just won’t be time enough to persecute others.

Prayer

Lord God, You created all things and You are above all things. Thank You for sending messengers, Your angels, to minister to folk like me, even though we tend to persecute the very ones that You send to bless us, love on us and warn us about our sinful lives. Please help us to love these ones, in spite of them not meeting all of our expectations, and in spite of our sinful desire to persecute them. I believe it is obvious that Paul was not the only one that persecuted Christians. Please dear Lord, rest Your hand upon Your children today, beginning with me, and help us to accept Your power and desire to help us succeed in this Christian life, so that we may serve You better and more fully. We are your messengers as well, please encourage us to treat other messengers in the same way that we want to be treated. May Your kingdom come oh Lord, and may we be ready and obedient in every way, every day! AMEN!

Footnote

Attitude of Prayer

On 2016-07-092016-07-09 By Ed AlgreenIn Power of Prayer, PrayerLeave a comment

Saturday, 2016-07-09

Scripture

Bible Reference: Habakkuk‬ ‭3:2

Bible Text: “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”

Bible Translation: New International Version (NIV)

My Take

A Very short verse today, but a lot is being revealed to us about the attitude of Habakkuk as he entered into prayer before the God of this universe. Because this is still very applicable to us today, I wanted to draw a few things from the verse to our attention:

I have heard about your fame – For any of us attending church, or reading the Bible or fellowshipping with each other, we have probably heard about the miraculous hand of God, and how He has answered prayer already. Knowing that our request is not the first He is being presented with, gives us a reference or reassurance to fall back on. Try verbalizing that friends. Let self know that the same God who has answered many prayers already, is the same One beckoning for all who are weak and heavy laden to come unto Him. He wants you to bring your petitions before Him;
I stand in awe of Your deeds – Our bottom jaws should drop when we consider the unique power of our God. Imagine, He: healed the sick; restored sight to the blind; raised the dead; overcame death on the cross and rose again, so that we may have eternal life! That’s our God, friends! Do you know Him?
Repeat Your miracles again today and let me be a witness to them – The confidence of knowing that our God is so powerful, so awesome, and loves us so much that He would repeat His miracles even in our midst, is nothing short of overwhelming. Our faith grows beyond measure as we see God’s miracles performed right before our eyes!!
In wrath remember mercy – After all of the above, aren’t we reassured that we can ask God for such impossible things as giving us peace in the midst of our storms, and for showering His mercy on us even in the middle of total wrath and mega problems! That’s our God who calls us to Himself!

So friends, whom then shall we fear? What issue or problem, what governmental issue, what worry or doubt shall we burden ourselves with, instead of surrendering them at the feet of Jesus?

Prayer

What a reminder of the God that we serve! Praise the Lord! We consider all of the worries and concerns that seem to bother us Lord, but after reading this verse today we can only conclude “Whom or what shall we fear?”. Our God is an awesome God and it is You that we place our faith and our trust. Please help us to always be in awe of Your presence and Your power and Your love for Your children. May we always commit ourselves fully to Your care, Your direction and Your wisdom, knowing that because of Your love for us, we are in the best hands. We are such a blessed people! AMEN!

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