Tag: Unrighteousness

The Righteous vs The Unrighteous

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, Righteousness, Worship1 Comment

DATE POSTED: Monday, August 14, 2023, and I was blessed to be at 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 Amplified Bible (AMP) IS FOUND IN Proverbs 13:6; 13

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: Righteousness (being in right standing with God) guards the one whose way is blameless, but wickedness undermines and overthrows the sinner.
Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, but he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded.

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: Every time we turn on the television to catch up on the news, many of us are bothered by the evil, crime and wickedness that takes over the headlines. Some of us grow weary from this news, because we have read the Book and we know why these things are happening. But this is not new to our era, for Solomon also dealt with this back in his day. Being the wisest man on earth, and a close study of the righteousness of God, I believe we can find answers to our present-day dilemmas directly from God’s Word. Ask God to open your eyes of wisdom and understanding as you join hearts with me in understanding the words, He gave to His servant Solomon.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: I watched a movie recently where a local City Commission reacted to certain crimes in their city by implementing very stringent laws to guard against the possibility of such crimes recurring. Soon, the town was pretty much on lockdown because of the various new laws implemented, and many of the town residents soon became extremely unhappy. I believe that may be representative of many of our cities, and possibly even our churches. But Solomon teaches us how to search for the root of our problems. What does God’s Word say about these things? Are we living in full obedience to God’s Word and His instructions? Recently I have been so busy with earthly challenges, that my heavenly relationship has been hindered. I found where nothing seemed to have been going right. Until one day God opened my eyes to see how my priorities have become skewed by the challenges of this world. Nothing bad, dear friends, but yet I could see where my priorities were out of order. This is not the way exampled by God in the very beginning. He created everything that we might need to eat and enjoy, then He created man. As if everything evolved around mankind, that He made in His own image. It sure seems to me that we try everything else, do everything else, enjoy all the world has to offer, THEN if anything goes wrong, we run to the only One who could do ALL things – Almighty God. I believe that our Scripture verses today are showing us that if we try to turn things around and trust God first, call on Him first, praise God for who He is and for what He can do – first and foremost each and every day, allow God to be our Savior and Lord who will direct our every word and action, THEN He will direct our path – our righteous path, so that we may live worthy of the Kingdom and His righteousness. Friends, don’t be fooled by this world. Unholy and unrighteous people will do unrighteous things. That’s where the evil, crime and wickedness comes from that I mentioned in my introduction. Our verses indicate that righteousness will guard the life of the blameless (those who are right with God). Please allow me to suggest that should you ever find where things are going south, or you see where sinfulness is creeping in, that you immediately go back to the beginning and reacquaint yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to resume leadership in your life so that you may once again walk the walk and talk the talk that He intended for your good. Let’s all try daily to call on the name of Jesus as we strive to live righteous and fearless lives that represent our Lord Jesus in every way. If you aim for perfection and to be the image of God, while asking Him to be your strength, guide and everlasting Lord, He will direct your path to avoid the pitfall of Satan’s wicked plans that are intended to destroy and tear apart every relationship that you seek after. Be ready to say like Paul did, ‘follow me, as I follow Christ’!

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: Solomon was careful to help us understand that the blessings for the righteous stands in stark contrast to the hands-off-by-God evil that comes to the wicked. I am rejoicing once again at being reminded that I am a child of the King of all kings and Lord of all lords!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Too often we stand surprised by the unusual cruelty and punishment that comes to those who show no interest in following the ways of our Lord, but thank You Lord for opening our eyes once again today to see how You permit the unsaved to live unholy and disobedient lives as they wish, while blessing and preparing a path of righteousness for those who know, love and serve You. It is clear that You give us what we desire, even when it must hurt You deeply to see Your creation follow a path of unrighteousness and evil. Lord, I pray that for as long as You permit us to live in this world, that You will direct our path and give us boldness to represent You in everything we do or say. Please continue to teach us to not only say we are your children, but to especially live out the truths of Your Word each and every day. 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!

Your Appointment WILL Result in a Decision

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Decisions, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Righteousness, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-02-22
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 13:40-43
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: 40 So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [those things by which people are led into sin], and all who practice evil [leading others into sin], 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger]. 43 Then the righteous [those who seek the will of God] will shine forth [radiating the new life] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.

APPLICATION: Although God is working on each of us every day, and working in us as we permit Him to guide our steps, yet there will come a day for every person when we will leave, or die to, this world and we will stand before the Judge of all judges, who will determine our final destination. The Bible is very clear, and particularly in today’s Scripture, we are reminded that each of us will face the God who created us. The Bible is also clear that it will not be an embarrassing moment for your pastor, or your parents, or your spouse, for we will each stand before God individually. Today’s Scripture is very clear on how that meeting will go, so I encourage you to read it carefully and soberly so that God’s intentions will be clear to you individually. I hope that some will read this devotional who never before saw the need, or had the desire to enter a church, much less worship the God who created them. For each of us must be reminded that regardless of what our life is like here on earth, we WILL face God one day. For some, this will be a joyous time of finally getting to see the King that they adored, worshipped and served here on earth. For I believe that God will acknowledge their righteousness and welcome them to their eternal home in glory with He, and His Son (Jesus) for all eternity! For some, God will say somethings very similar to what they said to Him while here on earth – away from me, for I never knew you. I believe they will be tagged as the ‘unrighteous’, and they will finally be assigned their eternal home with Satan – a place of fire, brimstone, and agony – a place Satan has prepared for all those who lived here on earth without ever recognizing the Creator, nor His beloved Son, Jesus, but lived life like it was theirs to destroy. But I believe the saddest time will be for those who love God, for they will see the disappointment on the face of their Master, and the sadness that will come over Him as He is forced to send a child that He carefully and wonderfully made, a child that He sent His Son to save, from their attraction to sin, and rejection of Him. They deliberately chose to continue their selfish desires that brought them anything but happiness. Friends, today each of us are traveling one of the paths that I described above. In the Word of God, He is clear on the outcome for the righteous and the unrighteous, and they are totally opposite. I have family and friends who are dying at an alarming rate, so let me remind you, dear friend, that you moment for making the decision to ask God for His righteousness is not assured beyond the very moment that you are reading this text. I have included information in my Footnote that can help you change the trajectory of your life right now. I would invite you to email me so that I might pray for you as you seek God’s face. Otherwise, let me encourage you to get with a local Bible teaching pastor or Christian leader to pray with you in person. God created you; He loves you; and He will welcome your decision to change the direction of your sin-sick life. Speak to Him while imagining how much He loves you and wants you by His side. No worries about being in a specific place with a specific person while saying specific words. Just talk to God, right now, dear one.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: My decision to serve the King of all kings was affirmed in early 1975. Praise God, I am filled with anticipation as I am reminded of His ‘Welcome Home’ greeting some day soon! While I wait for that, my desire is to encourage others to give up on sin, and accept my Lord as their Savior.

PRAYER: It won’t be long now! I believe those are the words You are declaring to my readers and I today as we study this Scripture from the book of Matthew. Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Thank You Lord for awesome family and friends. Please remind them of Your love for them once again today, and how Your invitation is still open to them. Oh that they will be sobered into reality and know that their time here on earth may very well end today. May they make the necessary steps to accept You today, is my humble prayer, even though they may be convinced of the joy this old world offers that leads them deeper into unrighteousness. You alone are God, so I am encouraged that You have the power to soften even the hardest and most stubborn hearts. They’re Your children Lord – designed and created by only You. Please draw them back to Yourself today. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog 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!