Tag: Why are we here?

Preparing for Jesus’ Return: Lessons from John 1

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, Evangelize, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Tuesday, December 17, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Quoted from the Living Bible (TLB) and found in John 1:22-23

THE SCRIPTURE READS
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!’”

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
In my earlier years of ministry, I recall leaving the bedside of a church member I had visited and prayed for, and as I departed, I recall her family member asking her whether I was her pastor. Although overwhelmed that I had left that kind of impression with the family member, I knew that I was merely a servant of the most high God who visited the sick and shut-ins as a means of reminding them that someone still loved them, even while they laid on a bed of affliction wishing that they could be at church encouraging others. John the Baptist showed us in today’s Scripture how to respond to a question like the one asked of my friend. You see, there will be times that you are anxious to share about your Lord with those you come into contact with, and they will question, who do you think you are to come and share your religion with them. It’s a fair question, for they are a sinner, but so are you, it’s just that you have been saved by the wonderful grace and awesome forgiveness of the Savior of this world, in response to your asking. I believe a good way for us to think about our redemption from sin, and our desire to share that with others we come into contact with, is to compare the scenario to an approaching storm. If I heard about a hurricane, or a very bad winter storm approaching my area, and it gripped my heart to prepare as best I good in order to protect myself and my property, I would also want to quickly tell my neighbors and others in my neighborhood, regardless of how crazy they may think about my desperation and move to protect everything and everyone around me. For the believer in Jesus Christ, we know and believe what the Bible teaches, that Jesus will return one day, and/or we will be called out of this temporary body and sinful world one day, to be with our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ and His Father, God. So, we prepare for this inevitable fact by asking Jesus into our heart, since He is the ONLY WAY into heaven. But then, our unselfish thoughts, and our love for our neighbor, kicks in, and we find ourselves desiring to ensure that our friends are also prepared, by knowing how to ready themselves for this glorious event. In this latter event, we become very much like John the Baptist – a messenger crying out in this wilderness of sin here on earth, telling others of the impending return of Jesus and how He will determine who goes with Him. This should impress upon believers to help our friends see and understand the only way to ready themselves for heaven. I believe it is evident that God wanted us to see what John the Baptist went through and how he handled his situation, for God knew that we too would be faced with the identical situation in our earthly lives. For us to reject God’s plan for us as believers, would be the same as if John would have raced the Jewish leaders and priests away without a care for their eternal destiny. Praise God, John didn’t take the latter stand, for he cared for his neighbors, even if they meant evil for him and his ministry. So should we make it our business to make sure our neighbors, family and friends are ready for the return of Jesus Christ? Unfortunately, the alternative is way more desperate and concerning, for we would hate to see them enter into the hands of the evil one where they would receive eternal damnation and punishment by Satan and his evil ones for all eternity. So, the choice is clear, follow in John’s example and share Christ in every aspect of our lives, even if it may turn to mockery, scorn, or question for us.

PRAYER
The urgency of the hour is beyond anything we can comprehend today, for we tend to put off for tomorrow anything we don’t feel like dealing with today. But Lord, I pray that You would constantly remind us of the tips You left for us in Your Word, that no one knows the day or the hour of Your return when You will take Your children home to glory. Therefore, it behooves us to not only ready ourselves for Your imminent return, but to also assume that it could be today. John the Baptist felt this urgency, so he went about his work of sharing Christ with everyone, even those that he knew were out to have him killed. Please Lord, help us to stop worrying about what our family, co-workers, friends, or acquaintances will think or say about us, but to always share the good news of Jesus Christ, the One who will return at any moment to take those who are ready, on to heaven to be with He, the Father and the Holy Spirit. By glorified in us, oh Lord, and allow unbelievers to see Jesus in person in their interaction with us. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. I would also suggest that you speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com and share your good news! Perhaps one of God’s servants will 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. 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 being a part of that, while also growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Why Are We Here?

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, September 8, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Ashford, AL 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 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) IS FOUND IN Titus 1:1-3

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: From Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I was sent to lead God’s chosen people to faith and to the knowledge of the truth that leads to a godly life. My message is based on the confidence of eternal life. God, who never lies, promised this eternal life before the world began. God has revealed this in every era by spreading his word. I was entrusted with this word by the command of God our Savior.

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: The Holy Spirit directed Paul to acknowledge who he was in relation to Christ. Some in the position of Titus may have challenged Paul to ‘state your position, then talk to me’. Paul didn’t just answer that question, but he also clarified why Christ sent him, or why he was in such a position to challenge Titus. I challenge you to consider the question posed in my subject today, as you meditate with me on this devotional, ‘Why am I here’? Also be sure to consider ‘Why might God have me here’?

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: I borrowed this title from a pastor/friend of mine who posted just these words in a recent Facebook post. It caught my attention and caused me to search the Scriptures for the reasons why God placed me here, and then to consider how much of that am I adhering to. Titus knew the heart of the man he had joined forces with, to spread the Good News, but for the readers of God’s Word thousands of years later, we might certainly want to know why Paul felt at liberty to fill the position of: mentor to Titus; servant of the Lord God; and evangelist; to Titus, and also to us. If you walked around your town’s public square and found a man preaching, the first thing you might ask is: who is this man? or what church does he represent? For you need to know if this man is a legitimate representative of Jesus Christ, and whether it’s worth your while to stop and listen to him. To fully appreciate why Paul found it necessary to qualify himself at the very beginning of this book, we must be reminded who Paul was – a persecutor of Christians. I believe it might be extra challenging for us if God would reveal, based on our actions and our words, who we are: to our spouse; to our children; in our homes; at our workplace; in a restaurant – in and out of town; in our home church or at a visiting church; etc. Imagine replaying a video recording of your encounters in any of the above-mentioned scenarios on your good days and also on those days when you’ve felt under pressure? I am always challenged by the determination of Paul to bear witness to the truth of God’s promise of eternal life. But if we pay close attention, we will see where Paul told Titus the reason why he shares the Good News. Friends, it was true back then, and it is still true today, it’s the Word of God that will expose sin and challenge mankind to surrender their life to the lordship of Jesus Christ in order to be saved from Hell. No amount of church attendance, giving to the poor, or any other kind word or deed will do the trick. I love the way this translation reads that Paul challenged Titus to this teaching to help people live a godly life. Paul said that was his mission. In all honesty, don’t we know without a doubt that the world today is badly in need of help to truly live a godly life? Based on our mission, our actions and our words, I wonder if we could honestly declare that we are on mission to lead the lost to Christ, and/or show them the way to live a godly life? If our heart is right with God, and our minds set on getting as many as possible into heaven with us, then perhaps we will have a stronger determination to make every moment count. Have a little talk with Jesus, my friends, and let Him convince you and help you stand ready to make a difference in this world for Him.

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: God placed us here to be His witness and to do His will. There should never be a question as to why we are here. Just obey the Father who placed us here.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Based on how we spend our time each day, or the things we spend our money on, it may be obvious that our minds are fixed on earning maximum income for our own selfish use, or on promoting self at work, church or in our community. But Lord, I believe You are showing us through Your servant, Paul, today that there is only one thing that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the folk following in our footsteps, and that’s the love of Jesus and the expression of words and actions that exemplify what You taught to us and exampled before us. Please Lord, help us that our time here on earth will not be in vain, but for anyone who imitates us, will actually be imitating You and Your teachings. People still need the Lord, perhaps more today than ever before, may our lives be worthy of Your kingdom, Lord, and for leading others to their eternal home in glory also. 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!