Tag: Surrender

A Nation Blessed By God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Humble, Humility, Live in peace, Peace, PrayerLeave a comment

Friday, 2016-07-08

Scripture

Bible Reference: Zechariah 8:15–17

Bible Text:  15 I am determined to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid. 16 But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. 17 Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the LORD.”

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I believe that the blessing that God had for Jerusalem is a good indication of the blessing He has in store for your nation today friends, but I believe that the warnings and conditions are just as applicable. We serve a holy and righteous God, and I believe that His Word clearly shows us that He will not condone sin, unrighteousness and unfaithfulness. In fact, in these verses God declares to the people of Jerusalem what He is looking for, and I believe that these things are still applicable to us today. Here are a few things that God demands of a nation expecting to be blessed by Him:

  •  Tell the truth to each other – another scripture says that we should let our yes be yes and our no be no. Never give a reason for doubt in anything you say, knowing that it is the truth and nothing but the truth. It is a rare thing today for folk to trust everything we say. This would be a clear indication to them that God must be influencing us;
  • In your courts, render fair decisions that lead to peace – I don’t believe that this indicates that our judges must let things slide, but I do believe it means that they should judge fairly, and without bias or prejudice, based on the laws of the land. When the law is fairly placed on everyone, in spite of their skin color or their financial means, then the people will live in peace knowing that they have been fairly judged;
  • Don’t ever plan evil things against others or tell lies under oath – When we scheme to hurt someone or treat them unfairly, we often bring in other sins that tend to help us apply the planned evil. God will have no part of that. When we love someone back into our good graces, our relationship will last much longer and blossom with goodness and joy!

Friends, think about it. For God to bless our respective countries even when the above sins are blatant, is like asking Him to turn the other cheek and let us have our own way, without regard for His holy instructions for us. I want to encourage Christians to stand tall in your faith; know what God demands of us and our nations; and pray daily for the growth and stability of God’s church, as this would be our encouragement to know that our prayers are being answered for our nation. 2 Chronicles 7:14 might be a good scripture to pin in a spot that will be a visible reminder to you every day, that if our people will humble themselves and pray, then God will……

 

Prayer

Dear God, please touch Your children once again today, please? For Your Word is very clear what we must do in order to see Your rich blessings poured out on us, yet we continue to live such sinful lives without proper regard for the King of all kings. Every time we listen to the news, we hear of such horrific happenings. Please help us to not shrug off these things to a God who must have forgotten us, but instead help us to look inward, and to look to Your Word for guidance as to what must be blocking our blessing. We are reminded that You will not bless or condone sin. Please help us to example righteous living before our unsaved family, friends and coworkers, for we may be the only ‘Jesus’ that they will have eyes for that day. Your Word is a lamp unto our feet – please help us to take that literally and seek to follow the way prescribed for us in Your Word. May You be glorified in us today, is my humble prayer that I ask in the name of the only holy and righteous One who set the example for us, 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!

Your Story

On By Ed AlgreenIn Evangelize, Witness, WitnessingLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2016-07-06

Scripture

Bible Reference: Acts 22:6–8

Bible Text:  6 “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’  8 “ ‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
“And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I believe that workplaces, and just about all groups in general, were probably a buzz with stories from the holiday weekend events. From the backyard barbecues to the fireworks to the parties. I bet everyone had a story to tell, whether prompted or not! Paul had the opportunity to tell his ‘Story’ about how his life was eternally changed, and he didn’t hesitate, even though he realized that he was in a very vulnerable position and could have been killed for acknowledging that it was Jesus who impacted his life. Fortunately, we live in a much calmer and tolerable world, where we may get some weird facial expressions, or possibly some verbal opposition after sharing our story, but how often do you hear a Christian sharing their story? We have become such a weak, uncaring, selfish, bunch that we just as soon keep our awesome news to ourselves, to avoid confrontation with someone running from the Lord. Wait a minute, is this not the same as standing idly by, seeing our friend enter a busy street, without seeing the oncoming vehicles, but we feel helpless to shout out to them, or snatch them back from the traffic, because we don’t want to get our feelings hurt if they shout obscenities back at us. Will you truly be able to sleep that night if they are killed by the oncoming traffic? Yet we lie down at night without any guilt about a friend possibly dying that night without the comfort of the Holy Spirit and destined for a dark and dreary Hell. Since we have no control over when our friends will be called from this world, shouldn’t we be busy about the Lord’s work and share our story with everyone at every opportunity? 

Prayer

Lord God, please impress upon us the urgency of the hour for all of us living on planet earth. Please draw our attention to the spiritual needs of our friends and help us to feel compelled to share our story with them, so that they might know the reality of a life truly dedicated to You, and therefore destined for eternity in the safety of Your arms. This is all GOOD News, so help us to not listen to the tactics if Satan that tries to prevent us from opening our mouths, when we need to. Lord we will all be eternally grateful in knowing that our family and friends are by our side, and not headed in the opposite direction towards eternal damnation and destruction. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! 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!

Respond To The Work Assigned By God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Committed, God's Will, God's WorkLeave a comment

Monday, 2016-07-04

Scripture

Bible Reference: Acts 20:22–24

Bible Text:  22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

This is a lot for us to think about on this special day – US Independence Day! Let’s first look at Paul’s scenario: He was on his way for a ministry that he was convinced God had called him to. Where? –  Jerusalem; Job Description? – Unknown; Fringe benefits? Jail and suffering; Why should he continue on to do this? – because his life would be meaningless if he knew God had assigned something to him, and he chose to do anything else but that work. So let us look inward, and how we are responding to our God assignments. Would we be willing to go into an area of our own country that is extremely poor, or always in the news because of the extreme criminal activity? How about to another country where they have not been able to keep up with the modern day conveniences that we are accustomed to? Having your doubts? I probably would have also, but notice that there is no indication that Paul had any doubts. How about assignments right around your own church? Do you willingly accept them, knowing that your life might very well be miserable if you don’t accept the work that God has in store for you – to tell others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God? ‘Unqualified’ was your best response? May I encourage you to read the above verses again? Paul was headed out on a journey not knowing what God would have him do, so do you think he felt qualified to do it? Friends, as children of God, striving to obey the will of God, we make ourselves available to Him to be used for His ultimate glory. For such a specialized work as that, do you suppose for a moment that He expects you to do it in and of your own strengths and abilities? He wants our availability, not our abilities! Oh that we, the children of the most high God, might learn to move and act in faith, and learn to allow God to move mightily in and through us, perhaps then our relationship with Him might be stronger, and His work become more effective even through us. Won’t you consider being a ‘Paul’ today? Go where God sends you and do what He orders you to do, friend. It’s all for His glory anyway, so let’s facilitate the work, God being our helper and guide.

Prayer

Merciful Father, Master and Lord, You have everything under Your perfect control, yet You use even us – your children to work through us, like You did with Your servant Paul, to tell others about Your grace, Your love and Your saving power. Lord, please help us to respond to You with confidence, know that You can use even us to accomplish Your perfect will. Please give us strength to brush aside the attacks of Satan that cause us to find excuses when it comes to answering Your call. There was no excuse when You were ordered to the cross for our sacrifice. You did it because of Your love for us. Oh that we might love You enough to do Your will and share Your Good News with a world that is dying and going to Hell. Please touch Your children once again Lord, May it be today. 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!

Well Grounded in Your Faith

On By Ed AlgreenIn Acknowledge God, Blinded, Bold Confidence, Born AgainLeave a comment

Saturday, 2016-07-02

Scripture

Bible Reference: Acts 19:1-2

Bible Text: While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers.* 2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

It seems like we have been taught to be tolerant of almost anything in the name of ‘peace’ and ‘goodwill’ towards all mankind. While I believe this has its place, I believe that it will really be awkward when we stand before God and try to explain why we didn’t take our responsibility as a ‘Christian’ very seriously. Why would we settle for knowing that our friend didn’t ‘make the cut’ – is resting in torment in Hell because we saw their downfall, had the answers for a better life, but didn’t love them enough to share the Good News with them? Friends, in today’s standards, if presented with the same scenario as Paul, I believe that most of us would have walked into town, saw these ‘believers’ jus as Paul did, but we probably would say something like “well, you have your beliefs and I have mine, blessed be the name of the Lord, now let’s get on with life”. Please understand that I am not suggesting that baptism would save anyone, but what I am saying is that there are so many ‘preachers’ going around talking to our unsaved friends, and their message is not always from the same gospel that Christians live and breathe. Friends, there are tons of false religions around today, so if we are sincere in our desire to see our family and friends saved, we had best get serious about getting the true gospel of Jesus Christ to them. Getting into heaven has nothing to do with denominations or any other religious ideas about the Bible or similar book, it’s simply about accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior and having an ongoing relationship with Him. The Bible says repeatedly that THE only way to heaven or eternal life with Jesus and His Father, is through accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord. I hate to question even my readers today, but just as Paul questioned ‘believers’ I must also challenge you to obey the Word of God, and ensure that you can recall a specific time when you surrendered your life to Jesus – you will need that to flash at Satan anytime that he tempts you or causes you to doubt your salvation. If you have truly made that commitment, are you enriching that relationship every day through your communication with God? Listen to His voice as He gets your attention while reading His Word. Talk back to Him in prayer. Communicate with Him! Do you truly know Him friend? Will He recognize your voice when you call out to Him?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are so patient with, and kind to us, and I thank You from the bottom of my heart for that. Thank You for also being so forgiving of us, yet I know from Your Word that this is not an automatic thing – You still want us to communicate with You. It is so unfortunate that some have taken Your Word so trivial and using it as trickery to attract others into false and deceptive beliefs. Please touch the hearts of those that will read this devotional today and all my friends and family. May they become so grounded in Your Word that their faith will be unshakable. May our relationship with You become stronger and better grounded every day. For I ask these things in the precious name of Jesus, 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!

On Being ‘Religious’

On By Ed AlgreenIn Religious, SalvationLeave a comment

Thursday, 2016-06-30

Scripture

Bible Reference: Acts 17:22–23

Bible Text:  22 So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

If you walked into a young man’s bedroom, and he had the walls plastered with large posters of young ladies, some dressed and some barely clothed in a swim suit, might you conclude that the young man is a true ladies’ man, or that he is a good, loyal, faithful husband? How about if this was a young man from your Sunday School class, would you be more, or less convinced that he is a religious person? If you met a store clerk who wore a cross on her chain and appeared to have a great attitude, might you conclude that she was a very religious young lady? How about when you walk into a church on the weekend and see hundreds of attendees, surely they are religious, right? Friends, Paul had to address this misconception of being ‘religious’ and how it may trick someone into believing that they are a born-again Christian because they feel like they are ‘religious’. I believe that the Holy Spirit prompted me to remind this audience that there is only one way by which you are saved, and the only way into heaven is when God is convinced that you are saved. The one way that you are saved is by getting before the Lord Jesus Christ, asking for His forgiveness of your sin, and inviting Him to take charge of your life – total surrender on your part. This is totally scriptural and can be supported by scripture, so it is gospel truth. I believe you will conclude none of what I have described to you fits the image that you may have around being ‘religious’. However, one will assure you of your eternal destination with the Master of the Universe, and the other (being religious) will do nothing more than confuse you and your friends about what you truly believe and whether you have given any forethought into your life after the struggles and challenges of this earth. Please don’t get me wrong friends. I am not saved to prove anything to my friends who truly love me, but because I am saved they can tell from the life I live and the hope that is evident in my character, that I have a hope, I have a future, and it is in heaven with my precious Lord and Savior. Would you please put your mind at ease, and the concern of your friends and family, by seeking out Jesus today? Enough with being religious, try to button up this critical decision by surrendering your life to the Master – today!

Prayer

Father God, You are so awesome that You not only created us and gave us a very successful life to enjoy here on earth, but You went a step further by providing the means for us to be assured today about our future with You. Although not automatic, yet You knew that it was not something that we could attain on our own, so You provided Your Son as a living sacrifice for our sin. So that through Him, we might become sons and daughters of the most high! Thank You for loving me with such passion and grace! Thank You for assuring me that it’s OK to share this message with friends who can make the same decision as I did, and they too might be assured of their salvation. Lord, may this be the day of decision for all who reads this devotional. 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!

God Uses Lives Totally Committed To Him

On By Ed AlgreenIn Salvation, Totally committedLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2016-06-29

Scripture

Bible Reference: Acts 16:27-30

Bible Text:  27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

In yesterday’s devotional we looked at the thought ‘Prove It’. It seems like God would have us continue along this theme, and I believe it’s because He wants us to see how impactful it would be when His children consistently follows His will in total obedience. Imagine for a moment the scene at the jail that night where Paul and Silas were. The Word says that they were in chains, yet they were singing – sounds like there was no time for moaning and pleading for self pity, but always time for worship and praise to their Father in heaven! In fact, these warriors were well aware that the same God that gave them power to heal the sick, and work miraculously among the people they ministered to, was right there in that jail cell with them. They knew that God was well aware of the discomfort, cold and dampness of that cell, and I believe that Paul and Silas knew that God had a plan for them, even right there in those extreme circumstances. Friends, consider that versus the attitude that most of us would have assumed. Just imagine how upset we would get that our tireless efforts to help and/or minister, landed us in jail. Furthermore, we are not ‘criminals’ like the rest of the murderers and or thieves in that jail, so why are we in chains and beaten, and not privileged with a proper bed? Now think with me just a little while longer. There was an earthquake during the night, and doors are flying open and chains are popping loose. Will anyone beat us getting out of the first door opened? After all, wouldn’t you assume that this was in response to your diligent prayers! But notice what Paul and Silas did, and how God used them. The very jailer responsible for having them chained and mistreated, came to them and asked to be introduced to the God that they served! Wow! What if someone who has been watching your actions or your walk with the Lord, came up to you today and asked to be introduced to Jesus? Wouldn’t that be awesome? I believe that it will amaze us what God can, and will do with servants that are sincere in their faith and stay true to Him even under circumstances that we don’t understand at the time. Let’s give it a try today friends. It might surprise us what God can do!

Prayer

Lord, please direct our paths today. We want to have the boldness and dedication of Paul and Silas, even under circumstances that would appear challenging at best. Please fill us with Your love and Your assurance to know that You will be with us through every walk of life, especially during those times when we may question, but yet You may have a purpose to reach a lost one for the kingdom. Please help us to remain humble, yet obedient in every way. 

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!

Prove it!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Follower of Christ, Proof-positive, ProvenLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2016-06-28

Scripture

Bible Reference: 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Bible Text:   12 you should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Bible Translation: God’s Word Translation (GW)

My Take

There is a six-year old in my life that will often say “prove it” whenever we respond to a question differently than he expects! In this short verse Paul is not only reminding the church at Thessalonica to not forget all that he and his missionary friends taught them, but he encouraged them to live their lives as evidence that they accepted his teachings with confidence, and in full obedience to what the Word of God instructed. This is very applicable to us today friends, for we attend church, perhaps Sunday School and perhaps even a Bible study or two each week. Should there be any possible reason why we would live our lives contrary to all that we are being taught? Furthermore, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are not just doing that in expectation of a free ticket into heaven, but we are essentially committing to a life that will duplicate all that Jesus lived, and all that He taught us through His Word. Think about it: Jesus lived the same way, for He said that He only spoke the words given to Him by His Father and He only did those things instructed by His Father. If we are committed to being Jesus’ followers, shouldn’t we be doing the same thing? The world will look at us for proof that we are who we say we are. Will they be convinced about you today?

Prayer

Dear God, it may seem unwarranted, but it seems like this world needs proof for everything before they are convinced that things are as we say. I believe that it is all the more important that Your children not only speak of You based on stories from the greatest book ever written, but if Christians truly believe in You, then we will live out what we believe in. If Your love is in us, then our lives will exude Your love in every action. If Your words fill our hearts, then our words will be filled with Your grace and Your love. Paul told the church to prove their faith to everyone they came into contact with, by the way they lived, loved and spoke. Lord, may our words and our actions prove to the world today that Jesus rules and reigns in and through us, so that they may have a desire to know You personally. 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!

Simple Instructions For ‘Right’ Living

On By Ed AlgreenIn Example, Example of Christ, Genuine example of Jesus, Godly example, ObedienceLeave a comment

Monday, 2016-06-27

Scripture

Bible Reference: Micah 6:8

Bible Text:  8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

In this scripture today, we can see where God is yet again addressing the question of many who are wanting to please God, but yet live like the world. I know, that’s not you, but before your give up on this devotional today, let me encourage you to be patient with me as I draw some parallels. There are three commands given to the Jews, and I believe these are still very applicable to us today:

  1. Do what is right – sounds like a very simple command, but let’s examine where this comes from. In verses 6 and 7 we see where the people were asking what is it that God would like for them to bring, or sacrifice, in order to please Him. Please recognize that they could have sacrificed half of their livestock holdings and still be very ungodly in their attitudes and their actions towards others.  In today’s society, we hear a lot at funerals and at social events about individuals are are great financial providers, or perhaps heads of state. One would walk away thinking that they must be God’s top person on earth as they are ‘good’ in every way – according to the speaker! Additionally, we are continually trying to convince ourselves of how pleasing we must be to God after attending at least one church service this month, or because we gave a satisfactory amount in the offering. In each case, we may have missed the point if we haven’t daily lived doing what is right in God’s sight. Are we truly following His ways and doing what He commands?
  2. Love mercy – In each of the above self-righteous actions, have we truly shown mercy to everyone that God has placed in our presence? Jesus showed mercy to everyone – especially those that society rejected and shoved aside. Do we practice enough mercy, or are we a part of the crowd who will push the poor and unfortunate aside? When last have you been identified as an agent of Jesus – even to the dejected?
  3. Walk humbly with God – I see this as being one who is fully committed and obedient to God. I believe this is the individual who moves from a life of doing our own thing to please self, and moves to an obedient life responding to every command of Jesus. Friends, as we study God’s Word and strive to follow in His footsteps, we will look and sound more like Jesus. We may even be mistaken for Jesus to a world that is in sore need of Him. Walking humbly with God means that you are willing to walk behind Him and let Him guide you and therefore take all the credit for anything you might accomplish. After all, you would be showing the world that everything is given to you by Him and for His glory – only.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You demonstrated an obedient spirit, filled with mercy, as You walked this earth. You reminded us many times that You only spoke the words that were given to You by Your Father, and that You did only those things that pleased Your Father. As Your children, trying to follow Your will and Your desire for our lives, we realize that we must learn to live just like You. Please touch us today with Your power and Your guidance so that we might desire to walk like You and talk like You, especially before our friends who are looking for Godly examples here on earth. If You are in us, then Your character, Your love and Your example will pour forth from us. So please fill us to overflowing today Lord, so that others may see and believe. May You receive glory from all that is accomplished through Your children today, 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!

God’s Purpose Fulfilled at Our Amazement

On By Ed AlgreenIn Clean Heart, Heart, Jesus, Know God's Heart, Surrender, What The Lord Wants1 Comment

Friday, 2016-06-24

Scripture

Bible Reference: Jonah 1:14–16

Bible Text:  14 Then they cried out to the LORD, Jonah’s God. “O LORD,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O LORD, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.” 15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! 16 The sailors were awestruck by the LORD’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

In much of what we hear about the story of Jonah, I believe that the part that really stands out revolves around how God got Jonah’s attention when he tried to run away from Him. However, let me share with you a little ‘nugget’ that I found in our referenced scripture this morning. I found where God was able to use this distraction to also speak to the hearts of a few sailors who may have otherwise continued in their blindness towards the living God. I’ve been on a ship before when it hit very rough waters, and I could see the panic in the eyes of the sailors when they realize that their ability to turn the situation around is virtually impossible, and way beyond their capability at that time. Therefore, I could only imagine how the sailors from the boat on which Jonah was riding, must have been in a very similar challenge – they must have panicked at the extreme waves and bad weather they were forced to deal with, while also being concerned about the safety of their passengers and themselves. I was impressed how the sailors tried everything possible before finally deciding to throw Jonah overboard. They asked the passengers, and Jonah, to pray to their gods for wisdom and safety. Then after hearing about Jonah’s God, the sailors chose to speak directly with God about the situation including, asking for their forgiveness should they have to pitch Jonah overboard. I found it interesting that they were fine with dealing with many gods in looking for a resolution, yet they settled for speaking directly to the God of Jonah. However, the most important find in this is in verse 16. The sailors were so amazed by the power of God Almighty, that they vowed to serve Him! Friends, I believe that this rough bunch of guys surrendered their lives to the awesome God that Jonah knew and worshiped! May I also remind you that this is the same God that I share with you every day through these devotionals? My prayer is that each of you will recognize God through these devotionals and, like the sailors, commit yourselves to my Savior and seek to serve Him the rest of your days. I implore you to consider this proposition friend. I stand as living proof that Jesus loves even me, and He especially loves you and wants your heart –  fully surrendered  to Him.

Prayer

Father, You are awesome in every way! Stubborn though we are, yet You have ways of getting our attention so that we might recognize Your greatness, and our need for a Savior. Father, thank You for using even us to reach the lost so that You may draw them to Yourself. Thank You for the story of Jonah and for opening our eyes to the similarities of how we also run from Your assignments and therefore miss opportunities to reach the world for You. Lord, may this be a day that we can be used as mere instruments in Your powerful hand to reach those that need visible evidence of Your grace and mercy. Merciful Savior, may You be lifted up in all things that we partake in today, is my humble plea and request. 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!

Correlating Prayer with Answers

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, PrayerLeave a comment
Thursday, 2016-06-23

Scripture

Bible Reference: Acts 12:5; 14-15

Bible Text:   5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him

14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

In verse 5 of this chapter of Acts we are told that the believers were diligent in prayer for their Brother (Peter), who was in prison. Now, after hearing about the death of James, one can only imagine how urgent, deep, and sincere this time of prayer must have been by these fellow believers. We’ve been there and done that, right? There have been very serious times of prayer for very urgent matters that we may have been willing to set aside meal times, or other obligations, so that we could get together in deep, sincere prayer. Most of us may never have prayed for the safety and/or life protection for a friend because of other friends being murdered for the sake of the gospel, but no doubt we have had urgency of prayer because of circumstances that we knew were way beyond our control. So now let’s move beyond some supernatural events that took place inside of the prison where Paul was incarcerated, and look at an interruption that came to the group praying. There was an annoying knock on the door. Can you imagine that someone would have the audacity to actually go and knock on the door of a group praying? Can you imagine the aggravation of the group praying, when the servant girl returned to tell them that Peter (the one they were praying for) was at the door? If she was losing her mind, why would she lose it with this bunch of ‘serious’ prayer warriors?!! So I wonder what this group was really hoping for from God? That He would feel sorry for them in their anguish? That He would comfort them by saying that He would look into their request? I wonder what’s on our mind when we pray? Is it just words that might help our hearts feel better that we have asked, and we could rest knowing that our obligation is over? Do we ever pray with one eye opened so that we could watch for the answer to our prayer request? It really could be that fast, right? Might I dare remind you that if we ask the God of creation, the God of this universe, the Healer of all things, for anything that matches His perfect will, then we must be prepared for instant answers – if He so chooses? Can we learn to pray with that sort of urgency and expectancy?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You taught us to pray. You gave us an avenue where we can share our concerns with You and place our petitions before You. Thank You for reminding us through Your Word that we are not just leaving a note at the foot of the cross, but actually having an open dialogue with the Creator – the Master and Lord of this universe, and that You are not like us, where You need time to think about it, or check with Your mentors, but that You may very easily begin the process before the words ever even leave our lips. Please help us to be a people of faith – true faith, where we are always thankful, but never surprised with Your response to our prayers. Lord, we stand amazed in Your presence because of who You are, not because of what You have done, or might do for us. Thank You for hearing our prayers – our concerns and our desires. May we always be prepared to praise You as we see Your hand at work in marvelous and wonderful ways. 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!