Tag: Witness

Treated Unfairly?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Love of God, The Father's Love, The love of God, Unconditional loveLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2016-08-02

Scripture

Bible Reference: Job 37:23–24

Bible Text:  23–24  “Mighty God! Far beyond our reach! Unsurpassable in power and justice! It’s unthinkable that he’d treat anyone unfairly. So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all! If you’re wise, you’ll most certainly worship him.”

Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take

I believe that way too often we tend to look inward and feel sorry for ourselves. Way too often we tend to look at others, and quickly become envious of all that they have, compared to what we recognize in our gifts, talents and possessions. Then we tend to ponder why we are so undeserving. We identify with how Job was feeling after his ‘world’ was stripped away from him. Throughout this book of Job there are many lessons for us. In today’s verses, I believe it is important that we see that true friends are very honest with us, and they may not just tell us what they think we want to hear. It would have been much easier for Job’s friend to go along with the way that Job was feeling; or to make promises to Job that he may, or may not be capable, or willing to make a reality. Unfortunately, we do this all the time friends. We feel sorry for folk and tell them things like: “Don’t worry, everything’s gonna be alright”; or “I will pray for you”; or “I will come and visit you so we could talk”; or “You look so good that no one would ever imagine that you are serious ill”. However, when we are hurting, we tend to look inward and feel sorry for self. Like the world is against us, and that we are being treated so unfairly. I believe that the best thing a friend can do, is to help us get our eyes refocused on Jesus, and His undeniable love for us. We may never understand, at least at the time, why things are going the way they are, but if we can refocus on the love of God for us, that it is unchangeable, and unshaken by circumstances, and that He made us with great purpose in mind, then we might begin to remember all the ways that God has blessed us, and is continuing to watch over us and care for us. Friends, the adversary (Satan) is doing his very best to distract us from the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ, and the many ways that Jesus loves us. What better way to do this than to tap away at our mind and try to tear down the very blessings that God is showering upon us every day? Jesus loves us more than anyone or anything we could possibly imagine, and this was not just for the period He sacrificed His life for us on the cross, but right straight through eternity. So let us therefore, always fix our eyes on the Author and the Finisher of our faith; the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end; JESUS, the Holy Son of God!

Prayer

Lord, thank You for reminding me that “poor me’ is not a term used by folk who are children of the most high God; the King of all kings; the Savior of this world! We are so blessed and set apart as such a holy people, that we must always keep our eyes fixed on the Author of all these blessings. There is a lot of ‘Light’ at the end of this sometimes ‘dark’ world that we live in – the Light of the world, is Jesus! As our Light; our Savior and our Lord, please help Your humble servants to keep our eyes and our minds fixed on You, and not allow Satan to interfere with our happiness. We need You daily Lord, and we look forward to eternity with You loving Father, 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!

Stand Your Ground

On By Ed AlgreenIn Stand Firm, Take a stand1 Comment

Thursday, 2016-07-28

Scripture

Bible Reference: Revelation 13:9-10

Bible Text:   9-10 Are you listening to this? They’ve made their bed; now they must lie in it. Anyone marked for prison goes straight to prison; anyone pulling a sword goes down by the sword. Meanwhile, God’s holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground.

Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take

If I was to compare a person to a Chameleon lizard, I would probably say that it’s because the individual fits into any crowd as if he belonged there. The unfortunate part is that I might automatically assume that they are of the same attitude and character as the crowd also. Often we might fit into this lifestyle, for fear of indifference that may lead to persecution, abuse or even death. Our scripture is reminding us that we are to be passionate about our faith, to make sure that we stand true to God in good times, around good people, and in tough times while around people who would just as soon see us disappear. Friends, if we are unable to remain faithful to our God in both of the above scenarios, then we should question the depth of our relationship with God. We often teach around our churches that our mission field really begins the moment we walk outside the doors of the church building. The challenge for each child of God is to be as bold about our stand for Christ outside of the church as we are inside. Are you able to take a stand for Christ and be transparent about your faith, no matter what audience you are surrounded by? While I believe that God wants us to identify with our unsaved family and friends, I also believe that He wants them to truly identify us for who we claim to be, whether in the presence of like saints, or in a crowd that opposes the very thought of Christ. Where do you stand friend? Is it obvious to the world whose you are? Is your life a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ whether you open your mouth or not? Are you ready to take a stand for the Lord? If your friends know that you are married, why would you not want them to meet the One that you have surrender the reins of your life to? Take a stand friend!

Prayer

Lord, if our football teams caved in to opposition as easily as we do, they would never win a football game. Yet we expect to win the lost for the kingdom while still living like the world. Please forgive us for belittling the sovereignty and deity of our Savior. For a life totally dedicated to You, it should be very obvious to the world whose we are, and for whom we will take a stand. May we never be found in contempt. Lord may You be glorified in us today, even while we may be in the presence of friends who have not accepted You yet. I ask these things in the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord, 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!

Whom Then Shall I Fear?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bold Confidence, Boldness, Fear, Overcomer, VictoryLeave 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: Acts 7:54–56
Today’s Bible Text: 54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: God’s Word is holy, so it will highlight sin, and it will make sin very obvious. Some preachers will speak in parables to you, where they will use the Word of God but speak in current day, and or very gentle terms to say the same thing that God declares. However, there are some preachers who will simple tell it like it is and let ‘the chips fall where they may’. There are some who witness in this manner also, for some will live their Christian life with hopes that others will see and believe, while others will boldly be in your face with the truth of the gospel and wondering why aren’t you getting the point. I admire Stephen for his boldness, but more than that, I want to draw your attention to the fact that regardless of any fear he may have felt, when he looked towards heaven and fixed his eyes on the Father and the Son – his eternal destination, there was absolute peace, and absolutely no more fear. In fact, he just blurted out what he saw, and that was truly adding ‘fuel to the fire’ in what the Jewish leaders were already feeling towards him. Friends, let’s stop and think for a moment. If we only find freedom to speak when we’re in the safe company of other believers, how shall we impact the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ? If we stumble, mumble and fall when faced with the opposition, will we ever convince them that we truly have access to the power of the God of this universe? If God is with us inside the four walls of our churches, shouldn’t we have every confidence to believe that He is with us when facing the enemy (Satan)? If there is any doubt, I would dare say that we are overcome with fear that he that is in the world is greater than He that overcame death and the grave so that we may have hope and assurance of salvation. Where do you stand friend? Who are you fearing, or who stops you from sharing the saving grace of Jesus with those that you come into contact with? Are you prepared to share, even if it may lead you to death (stoning and ridicule like Stephen encountered)? If God is for us, whom then shall we fear?

Prayer: Dear God, we believe in You, please help us in our unbelief and lack of confidence that You are who You truly claim to be. May we be filled with the same boldness that Your servant Stephen was filled with, so that others will see and believe. May our lives be so filled, and so opened to expressing Your love for us, that the walls of unbelief and doubt that Satan erects before this world, will be torn down. May blinded eyes be opened so that the world might catch a glimpse of the salvation that comes from You alone. I ask these things in the name of Jesus, the Christ – my Savior, 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

The Gospel Message

On By Ed AlgreenIn Boldness, Gospel, Hope, Preaching1 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: Acts 2:38-41
Today’s Bible Text: 38 Peter said to them, “Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Then God will forgive your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is for you. It is also for your children and for the people who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 Peter warned them with many other words; he begged them, “Save yourselves from the evil of the people who live now!” 41 Then those who accepted what Peter said were baptized. On that day about 3000 people were added to the group of believers.
The Bible Translation: Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)

My Take Away: These verses form the whole jest of the gospel, or the purpose for churches today. The gospel is preached, or shared with individuals, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, their hearts are stirred, and they accept Jesus as their Lord. I know that this sounds extremely simple friend, but in and of our sinful selves, we want nothing to do with Jesus, or anyone else that will challenge us or the way we live. Conversely then, whenever we hear the Word of God taught or preached, and it prompts us to question or to want to change our way of life, it is at that point that we need to listen to Peter’s response in verse 38, for it is God speaking to us. I believe that the church today is just as relevant as it was in Peter’s day. I believe that people need the Lord today as much, or more than, anyone ever needed the Lord before. I believe it is more critical than ever before that Christians, and church leaders, be sincere and persistent about preaching the Word of God in its simplest form, so that the world will know without a doubt who Jesus is. I can assure you friend, that Jesus really loves you, and so do I! I’ll be praying for all who might read this devotional today that God would be active in your decision making, for only He can change the heart of a sinner. Praise God He did it for me, so I know for sure!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for making a way for us to one day see You and spend eternity with You in heaven! Thank You for those, like Peter, and our current-day pastors who diligently deliver the message of Truth from Your Word. I pray that more of us, as recipients of that message, will share our faith with others, for the same gospel message that impacted our lives can be enjoyed by many others that we come into contact with, if we will be bold enough to share. Bless us this day with Your grace the boldness and power to share that which we have been blessed with. Please touch our pastors this weekend with power from on high, so that the world might hear and believe. In deepest appreciation for Your love and Your message of hope, I ask these things 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!

2016

Reflective of Jesus or…..

On By Ed AlgreenIn Godly example, Reflective of Jesus Christ3 Comments

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: Luke 6:43-45
Today’s Bible Text: 43 “A good tree does not produce bad fruit. And a bad tree does not produce good fruit. 44 Every tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. You won’t find figs on thorny weeds. And you can’t pick grapes from thorn bushes! 45 Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts.
The Bible Translation: Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)

My Take Away: I would like to encourage you to re-read the above verses without trying to apply the words to a friend or relative, for I want to encourage you to allow God to speak with you personally about this subject today! Here are a few things that God is dealing with me on about this teaching:

  • When I act ungodly, or say things that I later regret, what type of tree am I – really? For God is teaching me here that I am recognized by the type fruit (character, outward expressions or words) that comes from me;
  • If I am truly a child of the King, then He expects to see me produce ‘fruit’ that reminds folk of Jesus. For God is good, and bad ‘fruit’ should not come from a ‘good’ or Godly person – or least one who is endeavoring to look like Jesus every day;
  • There is a saying, that if something looks like a duck, smells like a duck and acts like a duck, it probably is a duck! If my life produces thorns, and I become very irritable at having folk around me – in fact they could practically feel the thorns, then chances are that I am not a ‘good’ God-fearing, loving, Christ-like person (or tree) that folk will want to be around. I could only imagine that they would never relate to me as a child of the King;
  • Just as I can evaluate a salesperson at a local store and jump to my own conclusions as to the ‘heart’ of that person, so it is with others as they evaluate the things I say and do. For what my heart is full of, so will the words of my mouth and indeed my whole character will reflect the same.

There is a song that I like to reflect on around Father’s Day ‘I want to be just like You’. That is my desire today, that I be more like my heavenly Father in every word or deed, so that I may be faithful in reflecting the depth of my heart, and that my life might truly be reflective of Jesus in every way. I would lovingly encourage each of my readers to commit to something similar as you allow these verses to speak to you today!

Prayer: Father, I believe that we are designed to act the way that we want and say the things that we want. I am reminded this morning that this is pretty automatic, in that these things come from deep within our hearts. Lord, I humbly plead with You today to so fill my heart with all aspects of Your character, that it will overflow in the words that I speak and in every action of mine today. Lord I want others to see You, especially in and through the things that I say and do. I pray that my readers will gain a similar desire today, so that Your army will leave our homes and families but yet reflect You in every way to all that we come into contact with as we enter our workplaces, shops or other business-places.  Fill us Lord, so that we might be used by You for every mission field today. For I ask these things in the all-powerful 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 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

The Word–Like Light to a Dark World

On By Ed AlgreenIn Impacted by the Word, Light, The WordLeave a comment

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? We live in such a dark, cold world, but praise God we know and represent the only true Light of the world. In this devotional you will be reminded of the importance of allowing THE Light of the world to shine through you every day!

Today’s Bible Reference: 2 Peter 1:19
Today’s Bible Text: 19 So we have seen and proved that what the prophets said came true. You will do well to pay close attention to everything they have written, for, like lights shining into dark corners, their words help us to understand many things that otherwise would be dark and difficult. But when you consider the wonderful truth of the prophets’ words, then the light will dawn in your souls and Christ the Morning Star will shine in your hearts.
The Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take Away: Based on an encounter by Peter, he spoke with great assurance in his text about how his eyes were opened – much like light being brought into a dark room, and how his life was impacted by that experience. I felt compelled by God to recognize that this is what I am faced with each day. I recognized that unless you, my Christian friend, and I stop our selfish view on life and get serious about seeking God’s His love and His faithfulness, and then share that with everyone we come into contact with, how else will our family and friends know? How will they know that there is a Light just waiting to brighten their dark world and fill their life with encouragement and hope? Friends, how will they know if we don’t tell them? In a more personal perspective, how are you doing in your daily, personal, intimate experience with God? Are you going so fast and furious that you are hoping God would catch up with you and impress upon you how much He cares about you? Friends, remember that God loved us so much that He allowed His very own Son to die a cruel death so that we might have a chance at heaven and enjoy eternity with Him. In appreciation for all that God did, what can be considered too much to ask of you in return? Are you ok in telling God at the end of the day that it just wasn’t a priority for you to meet with Him that day or study His Word? Throughout the Word of God, we are encouraged to tell everyone about this same Jesus and how He has impacted our lives. We may not be impacted because we hear the pastor tell us about God at a weekend service. We may not be impacted because of the awesome, Christian parents or grandparents that we have. There’s a song that says it well: ‘Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path’, but I am convinced that this not only happens to enrich our life, but to create a glow in us that tells those around us that we must have the Light of all lights deep within us. God’s light within us must not only serve as a light for our path, but as a hope for others who see that light. Be intentional about letting Your Light shine brightly today so that the world will see and believe!

Prayer: Loving Father, thank You for providing the means for us to be saved from this old sinful, dark world. Please help us to be conduits of the love You have promised to those who need Your forgiveness and Your love, and not an obstacle that sheds no Light into this dark world of sin and hopelessness. May we stay close to the source each day, for it is only through a connected, vibrant relationship with the Light that we can ever expect to ‘glow’ and impact those we come into contact with. Lord, may they see the Light of the world today as they encounter this messenger of the Light. I ask these things in faith, believing in the only true Light of the world, 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

Being Refined For The Glory Of God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Changed, Evidence of Faith, Persecution, Share God’s Word2 Comments

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? You may be going through times of spiritual refining so that you may be drawn closer to the Lord, or brought back on track in being more like Him. Read more and be blessed!

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 4:12–14
Today’s Bible Text: Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others.
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: I found it intriguing how God covers all of life’s possible issues or scenarios in His Word. I believe that He truly intended for us to know that His Word is our central reference point in life. It’s our ‘everything’ manual! Throughout God’s Word we read where God’s people were picked on and often killed because of their stand for the Lord, and while I realize that most of us meditating on this devotional today may never have experienced persecution for the sake of the gospel, I do believe that it still goes on in our world today. I don’t believe that Peter is suggesting that we go off looking for trouble, in order to prove anything about our Christian stance, but I believe that God is getting it across to us that His very Son went through persecution, and if we are seriously trying to imitate Him here on earth, then we should expect the same treatment that He received. However, He wanted us to know that when this happens to us, it will serve to refine us, or strengthen our will to serve God with even greater determination, or remind us of why we are serving our great, big, wonderful God! The refining process always hurts, but the glory at the end of the journey is worth it all! May I suggest that you look at indicators of refining, as encouragement in knowing that God’s not finished with you yet, but that He is still very actively involved in growing and maturing you in His service, for His ultimate glory!

Prayer: Father, it almost sounds crazy that we would rejoice when we feel picked on or abused for our Christian work, but I also believe that it would seem even more crazy if we were not seeing some reaction to Your work that we do. After all, no reaction would often indicate that our work, or even our words, are not a whole lot different to what people hear every day in their jobs or even on the street. I strongly believe that if we dedicate ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, and stand up for we believe He is leading us towards saying and doing, then that will be totally strange to a lost person. Christians, please don’t take that as a bad thing, for why would an unsaved person want to hear from us if we are no different to what they hear from their unsaved buddies? Please dear God, make us more like You, even if it makes us totally different to those we may be called upon to share Your Word with. We want them to see Jesus, and for them to be impacted by Your love that was expressed so vividly throughout Your Word. We need You heavenly Father, please bless us as we go our way 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!

2016

The Main Attractors

On By Ed AlgreenIn Evangelize, WitnessLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE – John 12:17-19 – New Living Translation (NLT): 17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”  

THOUGHTS: Like the folk in Jesus’ day, we also have many folk today who are anxious to know what this ‘Jesus’ is all about, that they keep hearing friends talk about. But I wonder, what are they seeing? Are they seeing any difference in Christians than what they see in their sinner friend from work or in their friends they meet at the local bar? Let’s take a moment and consider some of the similarities and/or differences between the folk in the story told by John and in our particular scenario today. Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the grave, and they were spreading the good news to others they came into contact with. Now granted, most of us may not have actually seen someone brought to life, but what about the answer to prayer for various challenges in your life that you have no explanation for, other than a miracle from God? Here’s my challenge for you: how many family or friends have you shared the good news about this miracle? If like me, I bet you’re ashamed to respond that you have shared no where near as much as you should have, considering the unbelievable miracle(s) that occurred in your life. So friend, what have we done to encourage those in our realm of influence to gain a desire to want to see, or meet our Jesus? Just like the Pharisees did, wouldn’t it be exciting to hear Satan’s cohorts give up in disgust, or throw their hands up in surrender, because there is nothing else they could think of that would help them regain their power over God’s children? Friends, the unsaved will be encouraged to see our Jesus, if they believe that we have enough value in our relationship with Him that might be attractive to them. But how will they know, if we don’t make that known? I was challenged in reading this because I realized that the welfare of others may be contingent upon my openness to share the goodness of my Savior. How about you?

PRAYER: Lord God, thank You for hearing our prayers and answering so powerfully in so many ways and in so many circumstances. Please forgive us for keeping that awesome news to ourselves and not sharing that openly with our friends. Just as John shared how the crowd showed up to see You because of the publicity by those who saw Your miraculous works, I pray that the ‘crowds’ today will have a greater desire to meet You and know You, because of our witness and the awesome story of Your great works. I ask all this in the wonderful name of Jesus, the great healer and miracle worker, 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!

The Value In Experiencing God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Honest, Sincerity, True, WitnessLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (The New Living Translation – John 9:24-25): 24 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.” 25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

THOUGHTS: Try asking me what it was like to land on the moon the very first time, and I would have to look to the internet and/or the local library to find information on the first landing. No doubt I would share some of the personal feelings of those first pioneers as they landed and as they walked around on the surface of the moon. Now, think about the difference in that story versus the response I might write to the question: “what is it like to live in the Bahamas?” You see, I am originally from the Bahamas, having lived the first 33 years of my life there. So I don’t need to do research in order to share a valid response with you. In my response to the first question I would share feelings and facts from the hearts of the first adventurers that landed on the moon. In response to the second question, you would hear about those things I personally experienced, and more about the physical descriptions of the beautiful waters and beaches. You will quickly discern the passion in my response, because my life was, and always will be, impacted by the people and places of the country where I was raised. In our Bible verses today, we see where a man who was once blind, is passionate about Jesus who impacted his life forever. For through His majestic touch, this man could now see for the first time in his life. In fact, the man is getting very frustrated because the Jewish leaders are trying to convince him that the healer is a fraud and that there must be something erroneous about his experience. Friends, this is representative of what happens in Christianity. To those of us who have surrendered our lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ, we have experienced His saving power; His love that was poured out for us on Calvary, in spite of our sin and evil ways; and the eternal hope that is ours to one day unite with Him around the throne of grace in heaven. Anyone carrying the title without the personal experience or interaction with their Master and Lord, can tell you about a Savior they read about or heard testimony of, but they can be easily swayed and distracted to another story that may sound more convincing. A personal experience is embedded in us and will help us to stay firm in the faith and true to our commitment until the day we are called away to be with the Lord in glory! As in any relationship, this experience will only happen as we dedicate ourselves to true and honest servanthood to the One we have surrendered our lives to. I pray that each of you reading this devotional will stop the pretense and seek a personal relationship/experience with a very personal, yet powerful God, through His Son Jesus Christ. Please use information in the ‘Footnote’ to contact me with any questions this may have aroused for you. It is super important that we each seek and experience a ‘personal’ relationship with Jesus. Today can be the day for you, friend!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for reaching down from the glories of heaven to touch my life in such miraculous ways that I can declare today that I know my Redeemer Lives, because He is Alive in me. Lord, may this be evident in every aspect of my life so that others will experience the risen Lord, and not just hear about an event that may have impacted my life. Although I know that You are our main defense against the enemy, I believe that our personal and intimate relationship with You brings peace, solidarity and a witness that will stand firm against the attacks of Satan and his earthly cohorts. May others look to us with a hope today, and not consider us just another hypocrite. I thank You for saving my soul Lord Jesus. May my life exemplify You so vividly today that others will be convicted of their sin and want to know you personally. I ask these things in the strong name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord, 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!