Tag: truth

His Promise is TRUE

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Friday, January 19, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 6:16-19

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls….

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Some are challenged to sleep on Christmas night due to the buildup of anxiety about what they expect to see around the tree next morning! I believe we all love gifts! There are many who also do their best to take people at their word. This sometimes lead to disappointment, but at other times their hope in humanity is restored as they see commitments kept and promises fulfilled! I believe that today’s Scripture restores hope to the Christian, for we are reminded that ‘it is impossible for God to lie’! This should also give assurance to the unbeliever who is doubting and questioning whether God really does what the Bible says He would do. Less we forget, there were some huge promises made in the Bible – promises that unbelievers might find impossible to believe. Like when He told a woman who had been unable to get pregnant that she and her husband would have a child. A promise to Sarah that fulfilled a promise made to Abraham when he was 75 years old. Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90! God never lies! Through Moses, God led a multitude of people through the wilderness, while at first being chased by the Egyptian army. On approaching the Red Sea, many doubted that God could ever hold true to His promise to carry them through to the Promised Land. However, God parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could cross over to the other side on dry land, while using the opposite action to drown the chasing army! He fed the Israelites with miraculous manna when there was no human sign of food! He brought forth water when the thirsty Israelites could only see a rock! Later, God gave us the promised Messiah through a miraculous situation that only He could satisfy. A virgin bore a son – Jesus, the Christ. Friends, as I meditated on these verses, I couldn’t help but wonder at the awesome God that I serve, for I know that He is still God and that He could still fulfill everything that He promises. He can’t lie! So when He tells me that He will love me forever and forever, I have no reason to doubt and feel alone or forsaken, for God can’t lie! Because He told me that He has prepared a home for me to live with He and the Father in heaven for evermore, I can start celebrating my eternal destiny now, for my God can’t lie! For those reading this devotional and you are still uncommitted to the resurrected Christ, please let me encourage you to believe with all your heart soul and mind that Jesus died because of His love for you, and in obedience to His Father. However, He rose again as living proof that just as He now lives, we too will arise and live forever with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for all eternity. Remember, He can’t lie. So you can take this promise ‘to the bank’, for it is genuine truth! To do nothing at all in light of this truth, you are settling for the lies of Satan and, according to God’s Holy Word, you will have an eternal destiny with Satan in the pit of Hell. Cruel? Perhaps, but it is TRUTH, precious friend. You are responsible for your destiny, please make the best decision in light of the truth shared with you today.

PRAYER INSPIRED BY TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: What an awesome reminder dear Lord, that You cannot lie! This means that what You promised throughout Your Word, You will bring to pass! Praise the Lord! I thank You Lord for the promise of Salvation, and the gift You so aptly provided on the cross at Calvary. Today I can rejoice in the prospects of heaven, because I know that You cannot lie! I humbly pray that You will once again touch the hearts of those who have not changed their destiny to Heaven. Some of these are relatives, loved ones and coworkers, so they are very special to me. Please use these humble words to wake my readers out of a careless sleep that may be affecting their decision making. Draw them to Yourself, Lord and invoke a time of decision making today that will impact their eternal destination. I ask these things in the wonderful name of Jesus, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this 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 you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby 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!

Order In The Church

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Thursday, 2023-05-11
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Timothy 3:14-15
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: I hope to come to you before long, but I am writing these instructions to you in case I am delayed, so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

OBSERVATION: In our homes, we are raised with certain rules that we just fail to see the reason for, at times! In school, there’s more of the same, and also at work. There just seems to be an ongoing reason for rules, rules, rules! In starting out in ministry, Timothy needed lots of guidance and wisdom to continue leading the church in the order handed down from his ancestors. Paul offered guidance to Timothy, and the Holy Bible offers guidance to us today. Our meditation on the Scriptures today should help us better understand why we have rules.

APPLICATION: Until we understand the reasons for certain rules, it is challenging for us to change our worldly habits and follow the rules. I recently posted a devotional concerning the character expectations and integrity of a church leader. To the world, those rules from the Bible may seem unrealistic, and they may challenge believers on the reason for such rules. Sure, we can tell those questioning that it’s because God said so, but in our Scripture today we are actually told the reason for the rules and how it should be easy to understand the reason. It seems like whenever our government leadership thinks about changing certain national policies that might affect morale, they tend to ask leading church leaders for their opinion. Whenever an unbeliever walks into a church sanctuary, such as when attending a wedding or funeral, they tend to fall into place with everyone else in respecting the building as God’s place to meet with His people. From the understanding of today’s verses, it seems like Paul may have thought that questions may arise if Timothy instituted the rules he advised for the character and behavior of church leaders. So, Paul went on to explain the reasons why he wanted church leaders to be a special kind, or set apart, one who adheres to and respects the work of Christ in the local church. In some churches today, many of these rules are still in place, and here’s why: People will follow what their leaders say and do, and not so much what they demand in words alone. Church leaders will either teach, preach, or show by example that they represent a higher power – One who is above all mankind; One who has prepared a place for us to transition to when life here on earth is over; One who is perfect in every way, and has given His instructions for us to follow as we aim towards a life of perfection, like Him. Without observing the rules given by our Maker, we will instinctively follow the free reign of the evil one. Notice in the latter part of today’s Scripture, Paul reminded Timothy that the church belongs to, and should look like the church of the living God, for it is the pilar and foundation of the truth, and Jesus is the Truth, the Light and the Way. Friends, for those of you that sit in a congregation of church goers, we must all respect our leaders, but we must also keep them accountable – according to the rules and commands of God Almighty. For when they show us by example who it is that they worship, adore and serve, we will also be more apt to do the same. As a child, we played a game called ‘Follow the leader’. Perhaps it wasn’t a game after all, for we still do that at church, at work, and even at home. I believe the bottom line in what we should learn from this teaching today, is that each of us are called to ‘Follow the leader’. I must live in a way that my child will follow me and find that they are learning and following the ways of Jesus Christ. This will carry through in my workplace and in my church. Paul said that the church is the foundation of truth. I interpret that as saying that anytime one looks for an example of the Truth, they can look at the church. It only goes to say that the church must always be the church, or truth, God being our Guide and our Helper, so that others will not be misguided.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Representing our family heritage is one thing, but representing the holy Son of God is quite a challenge for us while living in the world with the opposition so prevalent. Praise God, we are children of the King!

PRAYER: Thank You Heavenly Father for Your mercies, and for Your commands and instruction, for without them, we would be deep in sin and living in the way of the evil one. Lord, some will go to church looking for love and for ideas to help improve their outlook on life. Some will search for a greater and higher being, but I pray that everyone that reads this devotional will find Jesus, the resurrected One the next time they go to church. The same One who provided salvation for all mankind from their sin and evil doing. Lord, please place it on our heart to pray for our church leaders, so that they may live in true and honest companionship with You, and in strict obedience to Your Word. Together we must be the church – Your truth, Your pilar and Your representatives that will lead the unsaved to Jesus. 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!

Live Like Children of The LIGHT

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

DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2020-07-21
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Ephesians 5:8-11
TRANSLATION: New Century Version (NCV)

BIBLE TEXT: 8 In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. 9 Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth. 10 Try to learn what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the things done in darkness, which are not worth anything. But show that they are wrong. 

OBSERVATION: Paul made it clear that Christians are children of the Most High God. We are loved by God and in respect of that love, we should live in a way that pleases God. In the preceding verses, Paul named some sins that his audience of that day were guilty of participating in and, unfortunately, I believe that we are living in a time when those same sins, and even worse, are occurring right in our neighborhoods. However, Paul was really speaking to the Ephesian church. Do you suppose our church-goers are guilty of similar sins even today? Perhaps this is worth meditating on today. Stick with me on this, friend.

APPLICATION: It seems like Paul may have had a very challenging audience to deal with in the Ephesian church, don’t you think? As you ponder that question, please stop and ponder to what degree you suppose that might be happening to pastors today. No, not at the church down the road that you have heard so much about, but right at your own church. Oh, you know everyone attending your church, so surely no such behavior is expected from your members? Dear, dear friends, having served in church leadership for much of my life, it is very unfortunate that I could tell you that not every one who enters our church doors on Sunday mornings with a big smile on their faces are as innocent as you might assume, just because they came to church. So I believe that Paul’s sermon on this subject would have been just as fitting in any of our churches, as it was to the Ephesians. Think about it, divorce rates are probably higher in the church than they are outside of the church. Many church goers wind up in prison, just like those from the outside. There are just as many vehicles that speed by us on the highway with Christian based bumper stickers as those with nasty, rude or cruel ones. However, I believe that God wanted this lesson taught through Paul to be internalized, at the time it was given by Paul, and on this very day that God has allowed me to share with you on this subject. You see, then and now, God is still against sin, and I believe that it still makes Him sick when He sees how tolerable the church has become with the sin that occurs around our churches and within. Let me encourage you to sit and chat with a Christian over 70 years of age. Ask them what is so widely acceptable now, that was totally rejected, or frowned upon, by the first church they attended. You may want to be sure you are seated and ready for the shocking response. We tend to look at the old church as having some very primitive ways that really could not survive in today’s environment. Why?? Paul taught us that individually we once brushed aside those sins committed in the dark, because we saw the light of God as it shone through the pages of His Word. And guess what, not one word has changed in the Bible. Even when current versions/translations try to make it easier for Christians today to understand the meaning behind what God had to say, the intent and meaning is still very prevalent and applicable. Therefore Paul taught that we are to shun the darkness and the sin committed therein. Instead, since we are children of the Light (the Light of the World – Jesus), then we must live like Jesus did and as He taught us to. In living like we should, it will become much more evident when sinners in our midst live in darkness. Unless the world sees a difference, then they will not see the necessity for change in their lives and in their behavior. I believe that our challenge from the Word today is that we should live so much like our Master, that the world will be drawn to Him, because they will know that only Jesus could change a dirty old sinner into a life reflecting the qualities detailed in verse 9 – every kind of goodness, right living, and truth. Praise God, I’m a child of the King! Please read through my Footnote and especially the Scripture referenced in the hyperlink, and ensure that you are a ‘child of the Light’ my friend!

PRAYER: Thank You Father for the gift of eternal life through Your Son, Jesus – the Light of the world! You knew from the start that we would struggle to live holy and righteous lives here in this old sinful world, so You sent Jesus to us as our Savior. Thank You from the bottom of our hearts. Please touch the lives of those living in the darkness of this world, may they see Jesus today, and may they reach for greater heights to know Him. Oh that Your children, who are called by Your name, will humble themselves, pray, seek Your face and Your forgiveness, then perhaps You will seek the will of the Father to forgive us our sins, heal our land and draw all men unto Yourself. We need this precious Lord. 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!

Who Are You?

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

Thursday, 2019-09-26

Bible Reference: John 1:22-25
Translation: Living Bible (TLB)

Bible Text: 22 “Then who are you? Tell us, so we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you have to say for yourself?”
23 He replied, “I am a voice from the barren wilderness, shouting as Isaiah prophesied, ‘Get ready for the coming of the Lord!’”
24-25 Then those who were sent by the Pharisees asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”

OBSERVATION: John the Baptist was in a position where he was recognized by the local authority as one who was different, and one who seemed to be honoring another king – Jesus. Was he a threat to the current leadership? Perhaps, but who exactly is he? Those were the questions needing an answer by the Pharisees. John could have run, out of fear, or he could have chosen to brag on himself. As we meditate, on this Scripture, let’s contemplate how we might have responded! Furthermore, how would we respond to similar questions today!

APPLICATION: I believe we should examine ourselves and decide how we would answer, in a variety of settings, the question posed to John the Baptist. Who are you? for we need to tell those who have sent us. OK, in a church setting where an elder or a deacon approaches you with that type of question, I believe you will first respond with your name, and perhaps your family relations, if you are from the local area. If they continue to gaze at you for more information, perhaps you will continue by giving them your past church affiliation, if any, otherwise you might share where your parents attended church. Next, you might share about your employment. Unless further provoked, I believe that’s about as much as you might voluntarily share. If specifically asked about your relationship with Christ, some might freely share, while some might squirm a bit, as they are uncomfortable talking about their religious beliefs – mostly afraid of follow-up questions, I believe. So that might be your response in a safe, Christian-type environment. What if questioned at your job, or in a public place where others are being asked the same questions? Will you respond as you did at church? Think carefully, because while in a ‘safe’ environment, it is easy to give honest answers to almost any question. One thing I would like to remind us about today is that in every scenario on earth, God is there, and listening to every response. While we hope that He will always be proud of us as we respond boldly like John the Baptist, I feel like we must always pray that we would not respond like Peter ‘I never knew the man’. Peer pressure will lead you to respond like you believe they want to hear from you. But remember, God said ‘look, I will send my Son to the cross to provide you forgiveness of your sin, and I will send Him now, even while you are still very much a sinner’. I believe God might be expecting us to be as bold as He was – willing to claim Him privately, and in public, regardless of any implications that might follow. Friends, be aware that there are times where people in the audience might chuckle about you claiming Christ as your Savior, for they may never have attended church, or been challenged with the gospel. May I encourage you to still be honest about the best relationship you will ever encounter? For there might also be one in the audience who heard of Jesus, but never experienced Him, nor anyone who has experienced Him. For you to wiggle your way out of an honest response tells that individual that there is no value in one’s relationship with Jesus Christ, and that He may not even exist. Who are you, dear one? I pray that your relationship with Jesus is at the very top of explaining who you are!

PRAYER: Dearest Lord Jesus, I humbly ask that You fill Your children with an extra dose of boldness today. I am thankful that in my country I can freely attend church, freely accept You as Lord, and declare you in public – free from the law of the land. Unfortunately, my friends and I are often challenged internally to talk about You in public places because of ridicule and our personal pride. So if asked publicly who we are, I’m not sure what automatic responses might come forth. In heaven, I believe that only one response will truly matter, so please help us to live in the light of eternity and therefore respond to earthly questions in much the same way that we will do when we stand before You. Speaking the truth, in love, may very well speak volumes to the one asking, and we want them to know Jesus more than anything else. We need Your strength Lord, because we want our boldness and honesty to speak Truth at all times. Please help us oh God! AMEN!

God’s Unconditional Promises

On By Ed AlgreenIn Promise, Unconditional, Unconditional loveLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Romans 3:2-4 (TLB)

TEXT:  2 ….. First of all, God trusted them with his laws so that they could know and do his will. 3 True, some of them were unfaithful, but just because they broke their promises to God, does that mean God will break his promises? 4 Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is not. Do you remember what the book of Psalms says about this? That God’s words will always prove true and right, no matter who questions them.

OBSERVATION:   It seems obvious that Paul had received word that the community was questioning how God could possibly trust the Jews with His Word, when some of them were so unfaithful, and they even break God’s commands at times. In response to these accusations, Paul takes us back to something that the Psalmist declared in Psalm 51:4,  that I believe is still very true today: ‘God’s words will always prove true‘! 

APPLICATION:   Most churches will show you from their bylaws that they were formed because of  various Scripture passages that spoke to the hearts of their founding fathers. Hopefully many of us surrendered our hearts to the lordship of Jesus Christ, because of various Scripture verses that spoke to us and resulted in Jesus calling us to repentance. So when we hear grumblings about our respective churches – sometimes because a church member or leader was weakened by sin, do you suppose that does anything towards weakening the church, that God built with His hands and promised to bless it?How does it impact your walk with the Lord, dear Christian? Yet we often hear that a good friend will not attend a certain church if Mr. X still goes there, or we might hear that someone’s children is not allowed to associate with Mr. X’s kids because of what he did 15 years ago.  Friends, I’m afraid that these types of silly things like I mentioned, happens all too often. Is it not obvious that we take our eyes off the one thing that is constant and forever true, and instead allow the weaknesses of another Brother or Sister to interfere with our walk with the Lord? May I remind you that in another part of the Bible, we are told to pull up alongside that Brother or Sister who has sinned, and try to help them overcome their challenges, for one day we might be in the same weakened position and need a helping hand. The basic truth that I pray God will give us for a takeaway today, is that His Word never fails, even if we do, or our neighbor next door does. So may I encourage you to stand on the promises of God, not the weaknesses of mankind. Be reminded that although a fellow church member may have shifted their friendship to someone else, you can still stand firm in the fact that Jesus said that He will never leave us alone, and that His love endures right up until the end of time. Those are the facts that you can trust friends, everything else that happens between humans are merely incidental, or can be viewed as opportunities for you to minister to them, with the help and leadership of the One who promised to love them in spite of their mistakes.

PRAYER:   In deepest appreciation and love, I am overjoyed and honored to pray to the Creator of this universe and of you and I. In fact to the One who promised to love me until the very end – no conditions. Lord may each one reading this devotional today recommit themselves to a direct relationship with You – the only One that has promised to stick closer than a brother, and love us unconditionally until the very end. As we do that, please help us to ignore the ‘white noise’ of Satan and his cohorts who try every day to distract our relationship with You, through fixing our eyes on individuals who struggle in life, just as we do at times. Teach us to be the image of Jesus to them, while keeping our eyes fixed on You and Your unrelenting love for us throughout this world and the next. I love You Lord, and I lift my voice, heart and song to You in praise this day, 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 Sebring, 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!

 

The Reason Jesus Was Born

On By Ed AlgreenIn Obedience, Reflective of Jesus ChristLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Tuesday, 2017-12-05
SCRIPTURE

From:

 John 18:37 (ERV)

Text:

 37 Pilate said, “So you are a king.”

Jesus answered, “You are right to say that I am a king. I was born for this: to tell people about the truth. That is why I came into the world. And everyone who belongs to the truth listens to me.”
OBSERVATION:
Jesus taught us great lessons throughout His ministry. In this Scripture today, when Jesus was being tried by the authorities, He still showed His compassion; His calmness; and He declared His whole purpose for coming to this world. I wonder what we would say is our whole purpose on earth?
APPLICATION:
At different stages of our lives we may have sat and declared what our purpose in life is. For example, the transition from high school or college into the working world, you may have committed to be a doctor or an accountant, etc. When you got married, you made have declared what kind of spouse you would be. When you got saved, you may have promised God a drastic change in your lifestyle or in your habits. But was there ever a time that you declared what your whole purpose in life is…..? You see, Jesus was known as ‘Truth’, and for that reason we can measure absolute ‘Truth’. I sincerely believe that the Truth that Jesus spoke of is the absolute Truth that He represents in being God’s precious Son. In other words, looking at Jesus and hearing His words, were just like seeing and hearing His Father – God. With that in mind, what is the real truth that others experience with you? Do they experience with you, what they really hear from you? Do you have to tell them that you are a Christian, or do they see that in you, and hear that from the words that you speak? As ‘little Christs’, our aim here on earth should be much like that of Jesus – to represent Him completely; honestly and wholly, so that the world may know and believe in the One who saved us from our sin and condemnation.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, I pray that Your love will shine so strongly through my life that it will be evident to the world that You are having an awesome impact in my life, then may You be glorified by all that I come into contact with. Thank God for the grace and power expressed through His gracious Son. That You Jesus for accepting me as Your gracious son. May I represent you as well, so that others may see and believe. 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!

What If We Say Only What God Says

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accountability, Acknowledge God, Ask and Receive, Commanding Officer, Confidence, Dependence on God, Godly ConfidenceLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Chronicles 11:13-14
Today’s Bible Text: Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, “Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success.” But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what my God says.”
 The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: I believe that much like our ‘worldly’ counterparts, Christians are often guilty of trying to be the popular one in a conversation, or a party, or a family, or among our friends. We all want to be thought highly of, and we would really like to be the popular one in the group. But let’s think that through for a moment. Did we commit our lives to God so that we could have one more on our side, or on our team? Do we need to have one more that we could tell what to do? Friends stop and think this through, did God need us when He created the earth, or the skies, or the heavens? What about when He created you and I, did He do all that alone – without us telling Him what to do or how to do it? I would dare say that I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ because I realized that I didn’t have all the answers; that I have no idea about what tomorrow will bring. I was convinced that Jesus was the answer to all of life’s questions, hopes and dreams. I knew there must be a God, but I also knew that He was far beyond anything I could imagine. I knew that I needed a Savior to fill the gap between myself and the Master, and praise God I found that to be the Lord Jesus Christ! So recognizing that this was a need, why on earth do I try so hard to still make decisions on my own and try to please my peers/friends? Can I possibly be a ‘Micaiah’? Friends, Micaiah’s bravery and determination to be God’s spokesman is a challenging thought for us, because as we can gleam from this story, he declared what God had revealed to him in a dream, even though it was the unpopular thing to do, and even though it led to his imprisonment, and not his place at the head of the king’s banquet table. So why is this important, you might ask. First of all, can you imagine the freedom this must have given Micaiah? He spoke exactly what he knew the Lord had given him to him say. No guilty conscience, but a freedom in knowing that the God of the universe was then controlling his mouth and his words. Can you remember taking a message to your young siblings and adding the words “hey, don’t look at me, that’s what daddy said. I’m just the messenger”!! What if we took that stance in all walks of our Christian life? But wait, that’s exactly what God expects of us. We surrender our lives to Him, because we trust Him to be totaly in charge of all aspects of our life. Are you ready to let Him do exactly that? Our stresses would be greatly reduced, and God will actually make a lot more difference in this world, if only mankind would step away and let Him be God!

Prayer: Oh Lord, may we do exactly what You taught us in and through Your Word today. Micaiah’s boldness proved to us that it is important that we allow You to perform Your mighty works without interference from us, and in spite of what might be the popular or even demanding thing to do. Lord, we mess up way too often and I believe that we stand in the way of Your perfect decisions and will, way too often. Please touch the lives of Your saints today and give us boldness to stand firm for what we believe, and confident in whom we believe. You are Lord of all – or really not Lord at all to those who doubt Your power and who run interference in all that You want to accomplish in and through Your people. Please forgive us Lord, and please redirect our thoughts to one of total dependence on You. I ask these things in the name of the one and only Savior of this world, Jesus, the Christ! 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!

2016

Coming Soon!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Come Soon, Ready to GoLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (The Contemporary English Version – Revelation 22:6-7): 6 …These words are true and can be trusted. The Lord God controls the spirits of his prophets, and he is the one who sent his angel to show his servants what must happen right away. 7 Remember, I am coming soon! God will bless everyone who pays attention to the message of this book.

THOUGHTS: Often the entertainment world will use the term ‘Coming Soon’ to build excitement about an upcoming movie that movie makers may have invested millions of dollars to produce. Perhaps a popular entertainer has been booked to perform near you, and this same phrase may be used to build excitement and help you invite friends to attend the event near you. In this passage of scripture, I feel like the phrase was used to both warn and build excitement. A warning because God knew that He had created humans prone to procrastinate – wait until the last minute to do something. Throughout the Bible we have been taught about our Master and Lord. Told about how He sacrificed His one and only Son, Jesus, so that we could enjoy eternal life with Him in glory. There are still way too many folk who keep that promise in the back of their mind as an alternative, or option, should they ever feel like their end is nearing. I feel like we should carefully weigh the impact of what will happen to those who have chosen to ignore this warning. Think about the opposite of what was said in verse 7. Not good. However, when we think about the excitement that builds in the minds and lives of those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and are obedient to the things told to us in the Bible, this phrase brings the excitement of expectation and impatient anticipation. We just wish that Jesus would go ahead and come now, so that we don’t have to worry about stuff like another possible financial market crash, or a hurricane that looks like it is quickly approaching our shores, or possible medical challenges that seem inevitable. In fact, when you’re ready for an event, you often wish that it would go ahead and happen! Friends, I feel like the excitement often prods us to reach out to others and share the coming news/event and to invite our friends to participate. That’s called ‘evangelism’ or ‘witnessing’ in the Christian’s ‘world’, because we don’t want anyone to be left behind. We also get very tired of the negative impact of the adversary in our everyday walk of life. In fact we often cry out ‘Come Soon Lord Jesus‘!

PRAYER: The promise is real and the anticipation is building oh Lord! Please Come Soon, and take Your church away from this wicked world, for we want to be with You. We want our heavenly home and we want so badly to be absent from this world and present with the Lord. This scripture today has inspired me to think less of the everyday concerns of this world, and instead, keep my eyes focused on the light at the end of the tunnel! Thank You for the reassurance, the reminder and the excitement that builds every time that we are reminded of being in the presence of our Father, the forgiveness of our sins, the reinforced truth of God’s Word and the anticipated worship time around the feet of Jesus! Come Soon Lord Jesus! I worship You and ask these many things in the worthy name of Jesus, For Thou Alone are Worthy, 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 read through Biblical truths on How To Know Jesus, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will 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 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, Sebring, FL! 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!

Let The Love and Truth of God be Evident in Us!

On By Ed AlgreenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Bible – New Living Translation

Psalm 106:6–8

6 Like our ancestors, we have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly!

7 Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord’s miraculous deeds. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea.

8 Even so, he saved them — to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power.

Thoughts:

I believe that way too often we look down our pious noses and try to convince ourselves of our greatness, and our sinless lives. Friends, whenever we feel that boastful and proud again, may I encourage you to look around and count the family, friends, coworkers or neighbors that have seen enough of Jesus in us that they have surrendered their lives to Jesus and to the leadership of His Holy Spirit, because of our actions and/or words. It is so very easy to look at someone and immediately analyze their problem, without first acknowledging our own, and seeking forgiveness for our own sin and littleness. It is unfortunate that we can train pets so well and they can generally be very obedient, however when it comes to training ourselves to be obedient to God, our Master, our designer, our Savior and our Friend, we suddenly take on a superiority complex as if we are in charge. Friends, just as God held back the Red Sea for our ancestors, why don’t we recognize His awesome intervention in our lives every day? You see, for our world to be impacted, our friends, family, coworkers and other contacts must see and hear the evidence of Jesus in our lives. They will not be impacted simply by us telling them about the miracles at the Red Sea or how Moses struck the rock with his rod and God produced water for His people. Our lives and our witness give validity to the Word of God. It’s the living witness of who God says that He is. Our unsaved loved ones must see this, friends!

Prayer:

Lord, I am reminded of a story about a man who had a lot of faith in a friend that he could push a wheelbarrow on a tight rope across the Niagara Falls. With all that faith, his friend invited him to ride in the wheelbarrow as he pushed it over the Falls!! This is the type of faith it took for the Israelites to follow Moses through the bottom of the Red Sea while the waters were rolled back. We are also faced with similar challenges each day and we make decisions that prove where our level of faith is. Dear Jesus, I am convinced that others will not be impacted to follow You if they see doubt in us, and if they see us living a double life, I pray that You will touch the lives of Your children today and convict us of our sin and our shortcoming. May we follow You through the little things and through the major crisis events. Today marks the anniversary of a terrible disaster here in the USA, a day that showed a lot of people their need for Your love and Your power. I pray that it will not take another disaster to draw the people to You, oh Lord, but rather, may they see Your love and our faith in You so prevalent, that they may be drawn to You, our Savior and our King. Please touch Your children who claim You as Lord today, then I ask that You please consider using Your servants to reach others, because of their faith that might become more and more evident every day. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus, my Lord and King, AMEN!

NOTE: 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 so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will 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.

Intent of the Heart and Obedience to the Word

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Faith, God our Helper, God’s Word, Honesty, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ, RighteousnessLeave a comment

Scripture: Matthew 5

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!  Matt 5:17-20 (NLT)

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

I believe that today we know many who try everything to get around the law, or they try to see how close they can come in doing something without getting arrested or caught for actually doing the crime. Take for instance speeding on the highways. We know that we could get a pricy ticket if we are caught, so we purchase a ‘fuzz buster’ to tell us when we are approaching a highway patrolman. Now in God’s records, can we be accused of breaking the law of the land? Of course we can. Just because we may hide behind a ‘fuzz buster’ or a lie, or anything else, God knows what actually took place. In fact, Jesus taught that even if we are angry enough to murder, we have sinned, even if we didn’t actually pull the trigger, or plunge the dagger. These were the type of folk that Jesus was teaching in this passage, and I believe that as I described, our folk that He would be teaching today. Even though I can’t think of how this applies to me, what caught my attention is verse 19, where Jesus teaches that if we ignore in the least, one of His commands, and we teach others to do so, then we would be considered one of the least in His Kingdom. I trust that I will be devoted to serving Christ to the fullest and obeying His commands each and every day, and that this will be so evident in my life that others will not be misled. If our hearts have been hardened to the Word of God, may we be blessed with a man of God to preach the Word to reveal our shortcomings this week.

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

Father I know that many times we will do something often enough until we will lose sight of whether it is wrong or not. I pray today that You will open my mind and my understanding to anything that I may do that is not in line with Your Word and in obedience to Your commands. I pray that my every word and every action will be from a heart devoted to You and with the intent of leading others to know You and understand Your teachings. Please touch my heart daily and give me the desire to obey Your commands, followed by the actions that would display the intent of Your Word.