Today's golden nugget: MAY 18
A HIGH LEVEL OF INTELLENCE OF UNBELEIVERS
How depressing it can be for a minister to approach a school or university with the message of the cross.
"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (1Co 2:1-2)
Paul felt depressed after preaching in Athens. In Acts: 17 we find him in Athens on Mars Hill in the amphitheatre with all the intellectual pagans. Although there were so many there listening to the message of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus and others from the dead. Only a handful followed him and got saved. In this audience Paul thought surely all their knowledge and interest in learning; they will consult me and want to learn of Jesus, the cross and His resurrection, but no, very few and very little results of all of Paul’s efforts.
Perhaps you too have felt the same when you are telling others of Jesus and what He means to you. They don’t care, they think, “Okay for you but that faith thing is not for me.” You can be disappointed. Paul’s last words in the verse were “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” In other words don’t give up, keep witnessing to others and praying for those who you have witnessed to. When you are so full of love for them you cannot be any longer disappointed, you will start giving thanks today for these people in your life to love. Amen.
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From Revbon
NUGGET: JAN 1
LET GOD’S PEACE SERVE YOU
Dear Friend can you remember that day when everything was going wrong. You got angry or depressed just hoping this day would be over and you could go back to bed.
We don’t want to remember those days but they did exist last year. But now we can go to the Bible and comfort ourselves with God’s Word.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (Col 3:15)
This verse is very good to start off a new year. Instead of giving in to your emotions, be strong, shout “Stop!” and let the Peace of the Lord serve you and fill you. On the other hand if you let your emotions rule your day, you may suffer with worry, insecurity, fear and doubt. Actually the decision is yours in this new year.
When you let God rule your heart your body and your mind then “be ye thankful.”
The “Peace of God” can be a watchman over our emotions and should be our watchman. Since His Peace can serve us and fill us, we can rise above the flesh and our emotions. Those dark days will be overcome by the light of Truth. The flesh does not have to steal our joy, our health or our peace if we refuse to surrender to those dark days. Turn it around giving thanks for the presence of the Holy Spirit which fills us with the “Peace of God” and have a happy year. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 2
WHO IS YOUR BENEFACTOR
Staying strong and feeling great everyday can be a problem for all of us. After all we all need someone to step in and be our benefactor when we feel weak or ”done in.” But the foremost concern I have about my day is just how close I am with the Holy Spirit.
"For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." (Php 1:19)
Actually it is when we are close with Holy Spirit that our strength returns; He is our best benefactor for our spirit. Physically tired and mentally exhausted we can carry on with whatever God has planned for us today accompanied by His Spirit. In His Word Paul encourages us that through prayer our strength can be renewed. Through prayer we can tap into a Super Natural Source of power. This power gives us an unlimited supply to answer our daily needs.
The Greeks used the word supply differently than we do today. A comment “on the behalf of the choir.” There is a tale about Greek actors committed to their theatrical performance, they practiced and had no money and could not pay for the theatre. A wealthy man heard of the dilemma and came to their rescue. Paid the theatre and extra for themselves, he was their benefactor, he didn’t even want them to pay him back, he just wanted to help them. Therefore he supplied their need “on behalf of the choir."
Paul wrote “and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, that supply is on behalf of us. That is an enormous contribution of the Holy Spirit, (our Benefactor) to meet our daily needs, to restore our strength and to encourage our spirit.
When we start our day, armoured from Eph 6, prayed up and covered with the Blood of Christ, our benefactor, the Holy Spirit will lead us throughout the day.
Jesus is our wealthy Benefactor. His walking with us and talking with us, fills us with joy, peace and thanksgiving. Jesus Christ is our supply of Faith when we are in doubt, of Power when we are weak, and with Joy when we are sad. Jesus is our Benefactor and supplies us with all we need and desire today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 3
BROTHER REBOOT
Sometimes things can look very dark and hopeless. How many times do you see them like that and turn around and count your blessings. In other words you “reboot”. When things don’t seem to be moving forward, we need to rewind or reboot and get a new start and new look on the situation.
"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." (2Ti 1:6)
To reboot spiritually is to recall the way in which God has been in control in the past. To remember how He faithfully answered your needs in the past.
Our minds get blurry when confronted with a new challenge, a new problem or circumstance that we really can’t cope with.
When we are struggling in the valley we forget about the light behind the mountain, the sun is shining but we can’t see it because we are so low down in the valley behind the mountain. In other words we need a new start button a reboot to see what God has done in the past and know He is ready to do it all over again for us.
Timothy was so fearful for his life along with other persecuted Christians; he needed encouragement from Paul sitting in prison. Wow was that who would encourage him absolutely, Timothy was just looking at the mountain but Paul remembered the sun shining behind it. In fact Paul reminds him of the faith of Lois his grandmother and Eunice his mother, that same faith was instilled in him. That faith was Timothy’s family inheritance. As he rewinds his memory he can reboot and start again. New day climbing the mountain out valley to see the light on the other side. Hallelujah.
There are always memories for us Christians that will stand out in our mind and that will lighten those dark days, those valley struggles. We will find remembrance of God's faithfulness as it builds up our faith that He will do it again and together we get to the top of the mountain.
We can also use our testimonies to help others that are struggling in the valley. That is why the Lord is so awesome and why we can just reboot and those gifts from Him will show up again and be back on Page One today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 4
DAILY PRAYER
I am not sure about everyone I know on Face Book, but I am sure about the majority of them, that prayer is the walk they have daily with Jesus. I said “daily" because I take the time in the morning to check up those prayer warriors I am friends with. Not a day goes by that there are not at least 5 prayer requests on Face Book and I pray for them. Then my church has prayer requests on our prayer chain and I pray for them. Prayer is a part of our Christian nature when we love others. We don’t need to know them,
God knows them and sent them our way to love and pray for.
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Eph 6:18)
When I wake up( which is always too early to get up) and these requests are dinging on my phone, I make that my first half hour of prayer, then I close my phone, I lie back in my chair and pray in the Spirit until I fall asleep again. In my way of thinking I have laid the foundation for the day ahead of me
Then I put on the music, read the Word of the Day or just talk to the Father about anything, and everything. That is when He starts telling my tasks for that day and what He wants me to write about as well. OK, so it is not the same for everyone, but that nature we develop of daily prayer is for everyone with training. Yes, training and choice, making prayer a central and significant, part of your daily life. here's an example of that; what do you think when you hear a siren? I have trained myself to pray a short prayer when I hear a siren.”Father please intervene in this problem help them Lord and bring Jesus into it. Amen.” The siren is gone and the prayer has been said. Training to pray is very important for a Christian to please God. This training requires discipline also.
My dear husband Pastor Al (who is now with Jesus) and we fortunately had 10 yrs together and we lived a prayerful life. In fact our last words were prayer, we had nothing more to say at that last time we were together except to talk with Lord. His last words to me, “We will trust in the Lord as always." From that day to this that is still my life.
Why is prayer sometimes the last thing that we say when we are in a dark area or our burdens are very heavy and we forget who told us to unload them at the foot of His cross and give thanks? Nope, we think if we carry our burdens that it will be easier for Him to answer prayers more serious than ours. How foolish is that?
Paul told us to” pray always”. Perhaps you are having difficulty understanding how he meant that. He meant it in the Spirit. Our minds or not capable of capturing every need that Spirit knows of. He can pray through us in tongues covering more area of needs that we can count. That also takes training to turn to Him for prayer and release your human thoughts surrendering to Him. I believe I have covered what Paul was saying about prayer, but when we developed our trained prayer habits we understand even more of what he was teaching us on daily prayer today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 5
ARE YOU HURTING HIM?
How close are you with the Holy Spirit? Is He your friend? Is He your best friend? Most Christians will quickly say, ”Oh yes I believe in Him." Well I believe in the President, but I have never had a meal with him or a trip with him, I haven’t even had a conversation with him; I cannot call him a friend because I believe in him and voted for him. No, to call someone my friend, I must have a relationship with them and an ongoing relationship.
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Eph 4:30)
Paul has a very important message here in this verse. In fact I think survival in a Christian life would depend on this verse. How could we survive without the Holy Spirit? What does your best friend mean to you? How careful are you to not upset them, because you know what would upset them. Some friendship can go so far as to telling lies, living a lie, or using a lie to keep a friendship. I am sorry to tell you that your best friend can hurt you or hate you.
Paul had many good friends and sadly they hurt and fell away from his friendship, out of disbelief or fear. That is why Paul considered the Holy Spirit his closest and best friend. His goal was to share this with all his friends, but unfortunately it didn’t happen.
Paul tried to tell the churches about how the Holy Spirit can be a friend or a foe. He wanted to explain how that could happen.
Sharing the goodness and fruits of the Holy Spirit, he wrote, ” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” (Gal 5:22)
Paul wanted all the churches to receive the Holy Spirit as their first love from the day they got saved. But on the other hand they must understand when the Holy Spirit has something to say, they must let Him speak. Ignoring Him or as Paul said “grieving Him," will reduce the power that is available to those that are saved.
The Holy Spirit loves the saved, He longs to spend time with them and bless them with all the goodness of God. So why are not Christians benefiting from His fellowship? Obviously the problem is that Christians don’t recognize Him ‘Churches' don’t teach on the Holy Spirit, they don’t expect to receive the miraculous gifts He has for all believers.
Some Christians do not honour the Holy Spirit as a person, so therefore they have no chance to honour Him as a friend. The Holy Spirit is grieved and therefore so is God. There is no separating the Trinity it is one equals three. When one is honoured all three are honoured.
Another way to grieve the Holy Spirit is deliberate sin. When we are saved, washed and sanctified because we surrendered all to Christ for our salvation, then back-slide to the world, sin becomes our sense of right. That is what happened to my good friend after about 25 yrs. She back-slid back into the world. We have no fellowship now, but I pray she will come back to Jesus.
That same pain I felt and feel is how the Holy Spirit feels when we grieve Him. Therefore our first thought in the morning should be how I can please You today Holy Spirit and be sure I won’t hurt You. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 6
LISTENING TO A SMALL VOICE
I have a small voice inside of me that brothers me. That voice is always nagging at me, telling me what I shouldn’t do that I want to do. I want it to be more quite and leave me alone.
Actually I have to admit that voice keeps me on the right path. All those temptations that I need to pass up are the one that voice nags me about. Sometimes I thank it, because I didn’t fall for those temptations.
James reminds us that we need to check ourselves and our thoughts and actions every day. We need to nourish ourselves on God’s Word the “bread of life” and push away the worldly desires. In fact when we read it as he wrote it sounds very undesirable to me.
"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." (Jas 1:21)
I don’t like the way James worded that. If I fall to temptations I am in a pit of “moral filth and evil”. No, No, I am a child of God; I couldn’t fall into such a pit, could I? I need that “small voice “on my side, if only I listened to it.
Ah, there you have it we are in control we have a choice to stay on solid ground or mauler in the filthy pit. Yes as a saved Christian that was our first good choice, but we have to always be on the lookout for the enemy whispering ”sin is fun’’. He hangs on until we blast him away with God’s Word.
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" (Mat 4:10)
If I have filthy rags on me I can quickly disrobe and push them away and put them in the rubbish. Or I can wear them one more day. What a choice? These filthy rags will not fall off on the own, you must act and discard them from your life.
The Lord has a new suit of clothes for you; actually He has armour for your protection. This armour is ever so much stronger than that small voice that has been helping you. This armour can resist all temptations and all evil.
"Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." (Eph 6:11)
When we read what Paul tells us about our amour in Eph.6 11-17 we will be so encouraged and so grateful for how we can be dressed. We will so enjoy wearing it that we will no longer need a small voice to tell right from wrong and the enemy can’t even shout at us, because with our Helmet we can’t even hear him anymore. As long as we stay clothed with God’s gift, with God‘s armour we are protected and sanctified against the world today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 7
SPIRITUAL BOREDOM
I can remember my husband feeling very low and confused for him the harvest was the most important task of the week. He spent many hours every Tuesday preparing his sermon for Sunday. But for him having a person give their life to Christ was his greatest weekly achievement, he was sure that was why he was called to his ministry and it thrilled him when we had a new convert on our prayer list. I too was thrilled with him for the harvests. That was encouraging but it was not growth.
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (Jas 1:22)
One of the favourite sayings of mine is, ”practice what you preach." Truly believing with all your heart the Word of God is not always so easy. The world, in other words the flesh, work on our logic not on our faith. Because of this our faith suffers and diminishes. Our Spiritual life ceases to grow.
I have a dear Christian sister that has been to all the big churches and knows all the well known ministers. In fact she has ten boxes of Christian books in storage. She has served with many charities and lived at many Christian Missions. When I suggested that we attend a new Bible Study, well it was new for me, her answer was I’ve done that Study why do it again?
Truly I am sorry for her; she is so spiritually bored that she doesn’t think she can get anything new and exciting from a study of God’s word. Every discipleship teaching has a hidden golden nugget. That is what I always want to discover each time there is a new teaching a new golden nugget. That is what excites me and as long as I am excited about studying God’s Word, I can’t get spiritually bored.
James is referring to those who attend Sunday services and other fellowships but although they are present and hear what is being shared, they have not listened to the extent that it makes a different in their thinking and their Spiritual life. In time stagnant water will begin to stink. Nothing can survive in that water; nothing can be refreshed in the water. The same for our Spiritual life nothing can survive, nothing can live without a new refreshing from the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.
James is saying don’t be there to fill your seat, don’t just be there to show you have attended. Now attend with your whole being to listen and revive your Spiritually bored life to a thriving faithful, joyful and God pleasing life today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 8
UNDERGARMENT OF SIN
Honestly I remember being in school and seeing by best friend remove her dress and her undergarments were dirty. I wanted to say something but I couldn’t I was only 10 and didn’t know how to say anything and still not hurt her feelings. Now I am older I can make myself understood but not always liked when I comment on something that is dirty and needs cleaning. I can also comment on something I hate, although I never use the word hate.
"Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven." (Jud 1:23)
Jude tells us when we see something wrong or unclean, speak up and offer kindness but do not tolerate the sin. He says hate the sin. The sin stinks. Back to undergarments, they are the closest apparel we wear next to our heart, soul and spirit. These make up our inward man. If our inward man is penetrated with sin then in time it will presently thrive with sin. Taking no notice of the filth that consumes it. Because of the habit of just covering it up with the pleasant outward man or garment. It will work for a while until the stink comes and the cover-up no longer covers the filth.
Jude tells us that we, as saved sinners, have to approach these stinky sinners. He always is speaking to believers in the church, how sad to know that there are believers with filthy undergarments.
Through the Holy Spirit we can, if we want to, kindly but firmly show these believers the right way, the clean way and the sweet way to come to church and discard the Undergarments of Sin today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 9
THANKSGIVING EVERY DAY
How often do you give thanks? Perhaps you give thanks at the table before eating, or you give thanks for your relationships, your family, your home and work as well as your church. Well if you are thankful for all that you are a very good person.
Paul had a different idea when he spoke of thanks.
"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." (Eph 1:16)
The most obvious things to give thanks for are all the above, but the most heartfelt thing to give thanks for we learn from Paul, he said he was thankful for the prayers that others prayed for him. He knew that his strength under those horrible circumstances of being in prison and with that horrible treatment, could only keep him going with the prayers of those who truly loved him. His priorities were thinking of others before himself. Giving thanks to others when you have little food, no warmth and chains on your feet is almost an impossibility, yet his thanksgiving never ceased.
"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you." (Col 1:3)
In this verse Paul turns around giving thanks to the Lord for answering his prayer for his loved ones in the church. He tells them he is always praying for them and mentioning them in his prayers, and for that he gives thanks to Lord for them.
Paul gives us a perfect teaching of how to prioritize our manner of thanksgiving. His example is there for us to follow with our thanksgiving every day. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 10
FOLLOW THE LEADER
When I was little we played “follow the leader “I was the tallest, I was the oldest so everyone had to follow me. I was not always nice to my friends. But for some reason I always had friends. They looked at me as their leader and more, their protector.
Paul speaks kindly of the Holy Spirit as our leader, but even better he declares us as the “Sons of God."
"Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Rom 8:14)
First we have to choose who we are willing to follow. My friends choose me not because I was the best leader, but because they had no other one to follow at the time. As ”sons of God” we still have a choice to who we are willing to follow. First we have given our lives to Christ, and then we must learn from the Word of God how to surrender to the Holy Spirit as our leader. Learning from our daily reading God’s Word we keep our thoughts and our eyes on our leader and willingly follow Him. At times following the Holy Spirit can be agonizing as you may have to suffer to obey His leadership. Perhaps that is what the Lord meant when He said, "Take up my cross”; He was referring to our obedience.
Our place is to follow the Holy Spirit. We are to be obedient to His commands and to put Him first and stay in our proper place behind Him. We learn true humility as we practice to put ourselves and our own agendas in second place and put the Holy Spirit in first place of our lives, that is the best way to consent to Him and “follow the leader“ today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 11
RUBBISH TO RIGHTIOUSNESS
What rubbish do Christians carry with them that deny them righteousness? The stinking attitudes that we may have can separate us from the blessings we should have from relationships with other Christians. We may have these attitudes without being aware of what is keeping us from enjoying others company. Ask yourself why I am not included in that relationship. James wrote to us in this verse.
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (Jas 1:21)
Examining ourselves to see if we are carrying our rubbish to church or our workplace can only be revealed with the Holy Spirit through prayer.
We are naturally praying for others but how often do we pray for ourselves in heartfelt repentance. When we pray for ourselves after that manner we give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to show us our faults and rubbish attitudes that need healing. We can then check ourselves and discard those attitudes that are disliked from others in our environment.
Little by little those stinking outside garments that others see on us will fall away. We will be so aware, with the help of the Holy Spirit, of what is uncomfortable with others that we will begin to shine through our bad attitudes to revel the righteous man that is saved and sanctified with Christ. That is our goal to shine for Jesus.
Most of those distasteful attitudes are always directed to “myself” therefore others feel that we have no concern for them or their needs and will retreat from our company. Daily prayer and repentance will start to bring Jesus forward in our lives and conversation. We will shine for Him and the rubbish will vanished when the righteousness appears today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 12
PHENOMENAL POWER
As you know the Power of God is phenomenal, that is His power. Although the Bible, in the Old Testament, we read of His power far beyond anything man could possibly achieve. We all need a source of power to resist the darts the enemy has direct in our path every day. When we surrender all to Christ is when we receive His power. He cannot fill us if we are not empty of “self." We repent and ask forgiveness the day of our salvation, but that same manner of prayer should be our daily prayer. The filling of the Holy Spirit is the filling of God’s Power in us. I need the Holy Spirit to pray for me every day, He does that in “tongues." As my direct messenger to the Father I can feel His strength filling my mind and spirit. Also I sense the power of God strengthening my body in my senior’s years. Paul writes like this.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Eph 6:10)
Our soul, spirit and body are in need of that supernatural strength, that phenomenal power of God.
Successful combat against the enemy on a daily bases can only succeed with that supernatural power. To be strong in the Lord is to be close to Him walking in His path and when we stumble He will lift us up and renew our strength. Prayer is the direct contact we must use daily to stay in His presence, to receive His power and to regain His strength. All our efforts will fail if only we regard our acts to impress God. Today He wants our hearts and in return He gives us His Phenomenal Power. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 13
ENCOURAGEMENT VERSES DISCOURAGEMENT
When we know of someone in our church that is having some problems, do we always offer help? In other words when we see someone discouraged do we try to encourage them?
Even when a person feels that their Faith is not as strong as it should be they need encouragement. Perhaps they are struggling with something that they prefer not letting everyone know of. Paul tells us how we should encourage others.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more." (Heb 10:25)
As Christians we must always look after family in Christ. We have brothers and sisters that need our love and strength to encourage them out of dark situations in their lives. We don’t forsake them, we assemble ourselves with them.
When we miss someone in church, we need to concern ourselves of why they were absent?
Take time and call or text to reassure them you care about them. If you don’t contact them the enemy will. The enemy knows when he can cause someone to be on their own away from Christians, he can tell them lies that they will start to believe. Depression, discouragement and disbelief can all be linked together keeping them out of church. Christians must link together to demine such feelings in others. Church is for fellowship; therefore it is the fellowship today that must show engorgement to reverse discouragement. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 14
SPIRITUAL BATTLE
Christians that love the Lord and their family in Christ all have a Spiritual battle in our walk with Jesus. The enemy keeps watch for every opportunity to cause chaos and misery in our lives. The way in which he does this is attacking our spirit. He knows when he can break us down to disbelief and doubt; he has a strong hand on us. With Paul he knew well of the enemies tricks.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another." (Heb 10:25)
Knowing a brother or sister is dealing with a spiritual battle it is our Christian love to help that person. Perhaps giving a testimony, encouraging them to understand, we all have these problems but that although we have these battles we also can claim our victory winning over the enemy. Spiritual battles strengthen our Faith as we take our banner of victory and grow in our spirit closer to the Lord. Only with our church warriors standing together until together we claim that win.
When the enemy faces the Church of Christian Soldiers he must back down and bow down. His evil spirit attacking our Christian spirit is actually challenging the Holy Spirit within us. He knows he has no power against the Holy Spirit so he attacks our spirit. As a legion of soldiers bearing the banner of Jesus clothed in the Amour of God and proclaiming the Word of God we go as victors over the Spiritual battle today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 15
PREACH, ACTION
There is a comment, “practice what you preach” I can change to what you preached. We all as Christians go to church read the Word of God and perhaps listen to some service on You Tube. That is all very well, but what actions do we take afterwards? Are we practicing what we have been hearing or reading?
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (Jas 1:22)
James puts it like are we doing what we have been instructed to do through the Holy Spirit? Are we doers in action to follow God’s leading or are we just lingering back hoping someone else will do what is needed. In the church there are many things to do and there is always a need of more volunteers to help. Paul also comments on this.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:10)
He goes a little bit further into it. Not just doers but workmanship means we have talents in doing special tasks. Those tasks are to do good works for others benefit, for God designed it for us to use talents for His Glory. Yes for His glory not for ours, recognition for obedience will be our reward in Heaven. We don’t need that recognition when we can rejoice for the talents God has given us. Also we must remember God created those talents by the millions so each of us has at least one to be grateful for. Paul says each of us are ordained to our ministries, tasks and talents, therefore we must not waste any of them.
We need to take action and practice what has been preached today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 16
YOUR PRIORITIES
We know that Paul had to be a very good spiritual father to Timothy. Timothy was a fine minister and leader of the church, but he was wearing himself out for all tasks he took upon himself to keep the church going properly. Paul was very concerned for Timothy’s spiritual well being as well as his physical health. Paul wrote to him.
"Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and them that hear you." (1Ti 4:16)
The first thing Paul says is that he wants Timothy to look to himself and his ministry. Christ’s ministry can’t survive without daily substance from God’s Word.
Church leaders must be nourished daily with “the bread of life” from the Word. Also to strengthen our prayers we need time to spend with the Lord. Paul instructs Timothy to take heed for his spiritual welfare and those under him. Paul knew Timothy may have lost track of his priorities. Serving the Lord can be so time consuming that we are so busy serving we have no time to examine our priorities and arrange them in proper order. Perhaps there are some that will say that the time we spend in our quite time, our prayer time and reading the Word is selfish, but we will have nothing to give if we don’t take something for ourselves first. It is in that time that we develop growth and sustain our place in God’s Kingdom, and that is to be our First Priority today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 17
BRIDGE IS OUT!
Well we all come to paths in our lives where we find we can go no further. We find that if the “bridge is out “our plans come to an abrupt halt. We have two choices wait for a new bridge or go back to where we started. Both of these are very disappointing and we cry out to the Lord, “Why has this happened?” With fervent prayer we started out quite sure all our plans are God’s plans also. Paul has been up against this circumstances many times, twice when he wrote to his friends in the church of Thessalonica.
"Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us." (1Th 2:18)
Actually Paul was hindered because the journey was very dangerous for him to be recognized on the road. He was a man that served God Jehovah and yet he was considered a “wanted man." He knew that Satan was hindering him from making this journey. Are we disappointed with the Lord when reach a sign “bridge out “or are we aware that it wasn’t God that broke the bridge. So back to start, we pray and take the Bible for more instructions. What I find is amazing that although we only had two choices seeing the bridge, God has many choices. Instead of going back to start we can call on Him at the bridge and wait to see what He will do. He can fix it today, build a new one or dry up the creek. Satan never has the last word. Even when his big sign says “bridge is out.“ Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 18
DEAD END
There is a comment ”between a rock and a hard place” not much comfort in that. We all have been there in our lives; we have very emotional experiences physical and spiritual things that can be very hard to come through. We find ourselves not knowing which way to turn to get some consolation for the pain we are going through. In fact many times we think we come to a “Dead End” to a full stop.
"But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raises the dead:" (2Co 1:9)
Paul speaks of death, like he and his friends are all sentenced to death already. No judge has done this but it is the emotional state of suffering that he and his friends are going through that brings him to these devastating thoughts. You ask where his faith was.
Although at the time Paul was thinking this was a ”dead end” for him, that is when he wrote to encourage his and their faith. They knew that God raised the dead and if for some reason his work would be stopped by death God would raise the dead again. Paul wanted his friends, the brothers and sisters, in church to not lose heart in their Holy work. What they were doing was serving the King of Kings therefore they must not come to an abrupt end. God would let them know when they were finished with their servant hood. God changed their situations so Paul was rescued. Once again their faith was alive and they experience the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit. As long as we cling to our Heavenly Father who we can call on and stand in hope of Him to bring us through the darkness into light. So when find ourselves at the “dead end” we can look beyond and there will be a new path from the Lord for us to follow today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 19
THROUGH THE SAME BLOOD
Paul loved so many of his friends and comrades who were serving the Lord as he was. He loved them like brothers, so therefore he called them “brethren."
"I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren." (1Th 5:27)
Paul knew that his “born again” friends and comrades were saved by the same Jesus that saved him. He knew that the same blood that cleansed him also cleansed these men. Therefore through that same blood he called them all his brothers. This also means two men born of the same blood of Jesus “brethren” In this epistle Paul wanted them to remember how they are bound together.
Paul and the majority of his brethren were suffering in prison or in hiding from the authorities; even their neighbours could be their enemy. I am sure this reminds you of the news today of the “persecuted church” and our brethren that are living under persecution daily. In the days of Paul the term “brethren” was used in the military. The General would imply that his soldiers were brothers in battle and therefore they would be more concerned to watch out for each other. They always marched two and two instead of single file. They met the battle for one cause for their king, Paul and his brethren met their battle for King Jesus with their lives and through their inseparable blood line. His blood. When we meet our battles, we need our brethren through the blood of Christ today and forever. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 20
CLAIM YOUR WIN
How many times I have heard people say “I never win”. How sad to have that outlook on life. These same people always play the game or the lottery. But why play without believing you may win.
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Rom 8:37)
Self confidence is a very important attitude one must have to be a conqueror. Not only do you expect to win but you also expect to win big. Winners always have a future goal to conquer. It was not very easy sitting in prison or in chains with rats and the cold around him and yet with a winners attitude Paul can write “we are more than conquerors through Christ” he was overcoming what some people may say ”there is no hope," Paul writes we are already winners or conquerors. At bad times in our lives we would not be thinking that someone loves us. But Paul continues to encourage by stating Jesus loves us. Paul was a conqueror and so were many others in his church. The converts are adding to the church daily and the Jews and Gentiles were living in brotherly love. Paul tells us, he fought a good fight and ran a straight race, and he knew when his work was coming to an end. He also knew he could claim his win and the reward waiting for him with Lord. Today we too are conquerors fighting a good fight when we claim our win” as the good and faithful servant. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 21
GIFTS FROM THE FATHER
How many times do we get a revelation? Maybe you say never. But that is not really true because we all get revelations. Revelations are when we touch on wisdom, which we all have done in our daily lives. Perhaps we get an idea that saves us money or is good for our health or good for our home. You see we all get revelations that come to us to help us have a better life. A revelation is not something new, but only to you, because you were given the wisdom to see it.
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him." (Eph 1:17)
Paul always wants to encourage his church, writing this to them lifts up their spirits. We all want wisdom and we also all want wisdom from God to increase our knowledge and walk with Christ. This verse from Paul is his way of showing his love to them, giving them a blessing. He wants them to grow so the world around them will seem smaller and their environment with Christ will be bigger. Their faith will grow with spiritual wisdom and revelations.
They always need encouragement and prayer in their dangerous positions. Spiritual wisdom was the supernatural insight they needed from God for their own protection every day. The revelations they get securing them in Christ and helping their ministries in all areas gave them increase in knowledge of the Heavenly Father and His Kingdom. This knowledge is what spread throughout Christians and created a stronger Christian message throughout Europe and Asia. That same knowledge and wisdom is available today to all of us. Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to take hold of all His gifts. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 22
THIS IS NO GAME
Can you think of anything more dangerous than risking your life for game? There are those that will take a pistol with one bullet in the chamber and play the game. This person is so bored of life that they may have to risk all to be satisfied. A one to five chance that the bullet is not in the next chamber and they are dead. You may call them a fool but they are no more foolish than a believer in Jesus playing with sinful fire.
"Snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." (Jud 1:23)
Wow! Jude gave a strong command here; he is speaking to the church, to believers. He knows there are those in attendance that are compromising with good and evil. He is giving a direct order to those that are consistently on the narrow path, to be aware of their loved ones or sisters and brothers that are on that wide path.
A believer that is in church because it is a social gathering is not there for the right reason. He needs to recommit his life to Christ and repent for his manner in which he has compromised good and evil in his life. How can this come about? Jude has told us how “snatch them out of the fire." To do that we must pray for them, love them and witness to them about the Kingdom. They know who Jesus is, but they don’t really know about His Kingdom. Perhaps they have not been baptized and took their public stand of commitment to Him. I always make sure when that person that has just been baptized gets a big hug and I welcome them into the Kingdom.
For those that are not living or walking with Christ are in need of our daily prayers. How many of us pray for our children prodigals once saved and they are back in the world. Once you are born again through the blood of Christ you never lose that identity, but the consequences can be very hard and painful if you go back into the world and live accordingly.
The fervent prayer of a parent, waiting for their child to return to Jesus, is never wasted. Some time that prayer is for years but it is never wasted. Whether that child or that loved one suffers consequences, emotional, financial, and physical, with an addiction, poverty, or sickness, they can always come back. They will recognize in time that life is not a game to play without having to pay. Never give up on them, pray for them today to bring them to God and back in the Kingdom. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 23
GOD’S WORD ABIDES
How often does the Word of God come up in your conversation? Do you feel there are Bible verses abiding in your spirit? When I come to your house will I see for myself the way in which you live your life? When I hear your conversation or your music and TV, will I hear what is important to your heart? When I see what you read, will I see what is important to your mind? This also goes for me if it was you visiting me.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching." (Col 3:16)
This verse from Paul covers all I have said above. There is no other place we are more intimate than in our house. All we own is in there; all of importance to us is under the roof of our home. Therefore the Word of God should be in each little space in our home, and in our lives. Our fellowship is important also to be with other Christians that love God’s Word. We can remember many things, titles, address, and phone numbers, names, with all this in our memories, do have room for God’s Word to be there also. Do we have a special place for God’s Word to abide in us or dwell in us? To have that special place, we have to work with the Bible every day, to have God’s Word Abide in us and we can start today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 24
FEATS OF FAITH
The Old Testament has the most beautiful records of Faith among the Patriarchs of old. Just reading the eleventh chapter of Hebrews is so encouraging at the time when we feel very alone or faraway from the Lord.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Heb.11:1)
The author of Hebrews was claiming the truth of how these Old Testament men and women embraced their faith and obedience to Lord. They hoped and they believed in most cases long before they saw what they believed for. Therefore they were undoubtedly believers that what God had call them before their faith manifested itself in their lifetime, no matter how many hardships they endured. They endured fights and conquests with enemies, family and nations, but their faith faltered not.
Perhaps our fights are not so serious outwardly but inwardly we are in strong battles against emotions, relationships and physical and spiritual needs. If this is true then we need to recall some of the hardships mentioned in chapter eleven.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses," (Heb.12:1)
As we read this chapter we need to also go back to their stories and lives in the Old Testament, so that we stop regretting our own self-pity. Oh yes, when we begin to go back today to these men and women, our Feats of Faith can be strengthened by their Faith. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 25
ENSNARED IN MATERIALISM
How much do our belongings mean to us? Whatever are our belongings comes under the heading of materialism.
"No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer." (2Ti 2:4)
I don’t know how a Roman soldier stayed out of civilian affairs. They had houses for their wives and children; to me I look at that as their civilian lives. But they also had their commander that they must obey and put his orders first before any others thing in their lives. Their duty as a soldier came before homeowner, husband and father.
What a dedication they had to the cause they were to fight for. Paul wants us to have that same dedication to the Lord before our materialistic lives consume us. He wants us to stay free of being ensnared of the worldly temptations and pleasures that can eventually lead us out of our dedication to the Lord and into false god servants. Even our own family and loved ones can occupy to much of our time that needs to be concerned with what our Commander Jesus requires of us staying away from sin in the form of materialism. Even today ensnared in Materialism can trip us up so we will not reach our goal to be the ”good and loyal soldier of Christ." Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 26
HAS GOD CALLED YOU?
If God has called you, you will know it. The evidence of His calling is the results of your afflictions. Well that does not bring very good news to a believer that wants to serve Christ. When that word from God comes to you giving you direction, in most cases it is a direction out of your comfort zone.
"Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering." (Heb 10:32)
We all love the Lord and truly believe that when the He calls there will be smooth sailing, but not so. When He calls we will find ourselves on a bumpy road, but not on our own, He does not smooth the road, but He walks it with us. That is if we are willing to take on our task He has called us to do. The Lord knows if we were on a smooth road we would not be strong enough to travel the bumpy road which would delight the devil. Oh no! God always provides and protects. Sometimes we are not looking where we are going then we will trip up and in some cases fall down. That will hinder our progress to full fill God’s call for us. When we do fall that does not indicate failure, we only persevere, to get up, shake off that dust, anoint our wounds and continue with the Lord.
Has God called you? Are you sure the way you are going in the way He has called you? If you find yourself today slowly moving on a bumpy road, hallelujah, you’re going in the right direction with Him. Amen
NUGGET: JAN 27
DELIVERANCE FROM YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Your environment can be one of two things for you. If your environment is decided by other people, that could be very dangerous for you as a Christian. Sometimes the people that are creating this bad environment for you can be family or loved ones. Therefore that can present a life of compromise that is fatal for a Christian.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross." (Heb 12:2)
There is only one way that we can save ourselves from being influenced by these bad environments such as smoking, drinking, cussing, and sexual activities that we may have enjoyed earlier in life. That one way is focusing on Jesus and the cross, which will take away our interests in this environment the devil and world presents to us for our own pleasure. Our pleasure should be based on the joy that Jesus redeemed us from the clutches of the devil. Our Faith in Jesus and our acknowledgement of His love can overcome the world and the pleasures of man. So the one environment is destructive for a Christian’s failure. The other environment focused on Christ is constructive for a Christian’s growth.
Yes our salvation through Christ Jesus has given us deliverance from that sinful environment and has established a sanctified environment for the children of God today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 28
UNTIL DEATH DO WE PART
When Jesus was with His disciples, they had no idea what the future was going to be for their master and teacher. They only knew as long as they had Jesus with them in their everyday lives, they had more healings, miracles, adventures than we can imagine being with Him. But then He took the Viva Rosa path to the cross, and they were alone without their teacher.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (Joh 14:18)
We have lived more than 2000 years after Jesus died. The disciples thought now Jesus is dead we are left on our own, in other words they felt like orphans. On the other hand Jesus told them He wouldn’t leave them as orphans, He said, "I will not leave you comfortless, I will send you a comforter that will be your new teacher, and guardian." When He ascended to His Father taking His place as the King of Kings, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower His followers and that includes us this 2000 years later. Today we have the Holy Spirit, the comforter, our guardian here on earth until death do we part and then we will live again. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 29
ROYAL REPRESENTIVIES
Who are we speaking of as royal representatives? Don’t be shocked but that is you and me, Heavenly representatives of Christ Jesus here on earth. Well as we know we all have a Heavenly Father which makes us children of God, which also makes us royalty perhaps that is a lot to take in when we look to our own lives here on earth. As for me I get excited just while writing this.
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." (2Co 5:20)
It is so true that the Heavenly Father and Jesus have Heavenly business here on earth and they need us to carry out our tasks that are assigned to us through the Word or messages from Heaven.
Ambassadors live in foreign lands, they are born in one land and assigned to work in another land. Like us we are born in the Spirit and we are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, assigned here on earth to work for our King. What we have to do here on earth is to please our King. That is up to us and our decisions to serve Him.
Oh what Joy, when we are waking in morning and starting our day as His ambassadors, as royal representatives of the King of Kings, we should be giving thanks to the Lord, thanks that we can be His servants, and thanks that we are His Royal Family today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 30
STEADY SINNERS
Sadly there are steady sinners in the church. What I mean by this is there are believers in Jesus that have not given up sinful lifestyles. Saved, Sanctified believers need to live separated from the worldly temptations that still already exist with Christians.
"And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire;" (Jud 1:23)
The Apostle Jude was very concerned about the believers that were still compromising their Christian lives with sinful lives. He was so direct in correcting this problem in the church that he tells the leaders to put fear in these believers. What fear he his referring to is respect to God and the life God wants for them if only they will willingly give up their sin. Then he also tells the leaders to” pull them out of the fire” that is not a request that is an order.
Jude wants these believers to understand how dangerous their double lives will take. They will burn. The leader’s prayers and guidance with the Holy Spirit needs to find a breakthrough in their church. Recognizing these sinful lifestyles to the assembly, hoping that will wake up these believers that are steady sinners. The church today would horrify Jude with the compromising they have developed with sin and the world. If you are compromising with your first love with Christ, you may burn. I want to pull all steady sinners out of the fire for their salvation and Christ’s sake today. Amen.
NUGGET: JAN 31
DOOMED TO FAIL
Have you ever felt like you were doomed to fail because of all the problems around you? I did before I got saved through the blood of Christ. I think that was the best day of my life. No, I take that back, today is the best day of my life telling others of my love for Jesus. 1975 Jesus became my King, my Lord and my Master.
"But thank God you've started listening to a new master." (Rom 6:17)
Enough about me what about you, are you doomed today? If so I have another name for your problems, you are a slave to sin. Sin is the reason you are doomed. Failure also comes with fear and doubt, sin is the base for both of these. Nothing is impossible for God if you make it possible to Him. Giving over your heart to Jesus is freeing you from your slavery to sin. Therefore you are doomed to success instead of failure.Jesus can free you from the master of sin and claim you as His own. Change your situation today from being doomed to failure to success and be strengthened in Faith. Amen.
DAILY NUGGETS
For February
From Revbon
NUGGET: FEB 1
GOD’S BILLIONAIRES
Don’t we all wish we were rich or richer? I think it is normal that we think like that. I really like watching some people win money or anything of value. Sometimes I day dream about what would I do if I were rich. I forget that the riches I really want and need to be blessed with are not in my wallet or bank.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." (Col 3:16)
Paul knew that the church was always suffering financially; they were suffering in their families and in the poverty. Paul as always wants to bless them. He knew they had no money, little food, always hiding from the authorities, he knew their situations and he wanted to encourage them. What lovely words to say “you are rich in Christ, His word will feed you and comfort you and build up your church.” We also are God’s rich children through Christ.
When those brothers felt the comfort of Christ they praised the Lord and then they gave thanks and begin to prophecy, laying hands on the sick the deaf and the blind. That was that same prosperity of Paul’s churches. When our church is so rich in Christ, that we are showing our family, our neighbour, and the world the same prosperity, that Paul’s churches experienced, through their riches in Christ. We will shouting we are God’s Billionaires today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 2
REDEMING THE SLAVE
I know it is not easy for you to think of yourself as a slave. It was not easy for me either. But that is exactly what we are until we are redeemed. In the slave market, there must be a wealthy man that wants to purchase a slave for different reasons. Perhaps you didn’t know that each owner had special tasks for certain slaves, their age mattered, their strength mattered and their gender mattered to each owner.
"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Tit 2:14)
Then there were those that were very rich and wanted to see justice, by purchasing a slave and giving them freedom, nothing else mattered for them. They could chose to leave or to work for a wage and live on the rich man’s property. In others the rich man redeemed the slave from a life of being a piece of property to being a person of identity.
How about us as slaves at one time? Were we redeemed or just purchased. The answer depends on who the rich man was in your case and mine. Jesus purchased all mankind and redeemed them on the cross paying their life time debt with His blood. Willing we can go with Him and live on His property and serve Him forever. Or we can go and live our own life without Him .That means we will have no protection, no provision, no security. Being with Jesus is everything to me and I hope the same for you. When He was on the cross dying for us He cried out, "It is finished.” Which meant, “redeem the slaves,” the payment is done today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 3
DEMONIC DIVISION
Have you ever felt like you had a demon controlling you life? I don’t think all demons are just for insane people. There are emotions in our lives that are very strong, right or wrong, they have a lot to do with controlling our lives. Demons want to take hold of our emotions and cause division and confusion for us. They want to hit every area of our lives where they know we should have peace and love.
"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (Jas 3:16)
James is giving the solution to division and confusion, but he does not give us the root of them. The root of them is envy and strife. Those two emotions can cause us a very unhappy life. The reason is envy is the beginning of division of hate. And where there is hate there is strife. Look into your own life, do you hate anyone? How did that happen? Perhaps you once loved them, what emotion took control of you to bring you to hate them now?
I know that the very thought of those you hate causes strife in your heart and you have no peace. In other words you have a demonic division in your life causing you to suffer with hurt, brokenness and unhappiness. That is the goal of the demon. James turns this around when he states, "The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with." So now today with prayer let us cause an end to the demon’s goal. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 4
FINALLY GETTING TO THE BEST
Paul had news that things were not going very well in the Church of Ephesians; they were grieving him and the Holy Spirit. There was so much sin going on among these believers. He has told them everything which is proper in God’s House throughout the first five chapters. Then in the sixth, which has always been my favourite, he tells them how to prepare for spiritual warfare.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Eph 6:10)
He felt after telling them of preparations’ for all the future attacks that the devil has planned for them, there was nothing else to say. And yet there was, because he couldn’t just leave them like that. He knew how the devil had been slithering into their church, with lies, and the stealing that was grieving the Holy Spirit within these believers. He was sure the majority of the brethren were praying, teaching and dressing daily in their armour of God, ready for warfare to be a church of victory over all the evils. But still there were those ignoring their armour and following their own teachings outside of Paul’s instructions. Paul wanted the believers who were faithfully following him, to know he had not given up on their church or his brethren there. He wanted them to be strong as the Lord is strong for them. His last message to them was finally the best for encouragement to win over the enemy in their own church, and that same message is for us today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 5
MIRACULOUS MESSAGES
Have you ever had a message from God thinking, “That is a miracle, why hasn’t that come before?” I have had that happen to me so many times, usually waking me up or not letting me get to sleep. What is going on? The answer is God has had the answer to all the time, to your questions, on direction or information that you have prayed about daily.
"9 But as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him. 10 But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God." (2COR. 2: 9-10)
I know who has visited me in the middle of the night, my best friend the Holy Spirit; He is the messenger that comes with good news. His message is many times a revelation that answers our prayers also. Knowing when we seek the Lord for direction or a need that He is already on the case and that He is preparing the right moment to reveal the answer to us, is a miraculous message that we have so anticipated to get. When we get it we are in awe of how direct He is with us, and how peaceful and thankful we are with His answer today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 6
SOUND MIND
When you are fearful is when you have lost the peace of God. But not only have you lost your peace, what has happened to the mind of Christ which God says we can have with the Holy Spirit. Paul knew Timothy was concerned about his life. No doubt all the Christians in Ephesus church were in danger for their lives at the time of Nero's insanity. All Paul wants to do is encourage Timothy and the church.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2Ti 1:7)
When we rebuke the spirit of fear we accept the Spirit of Faith and with the Holy Spirit present we develop the power and the sound mind Paul speaks of. That sound mind is also the mind that gives us the peace of Christ that removes all fear. Faith in the Lord secures our thoughts and keeps us focused on Jesus. Today with the power of the Holy Spirit we rise above our fears and settle on a rock of comfort and love, resulting with the strength we need for a sound mind. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 7
LEGAL AUTHORITY
Have you ever thought of yourself as person with legal authority? Legal authority comes with a name, a position and security. You as a Born-again Christian, child of God, filled with the Holy Spirit have legal authority in the Name of Jesus, as an Ambassador for the Kingdom and a Victor for Christ.
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Col 2:15)
The cross was the open show that Jesus made public, triumphing over sin, death and all evil. Well He did it, so we can do it. In Jesus we can triumph over all evil, including the power and principalities that belong to Satan. We want good health, good relationships and good prosperity, all we want is what is good, and all God wants for us is good.
Our legal authority in the name of Jesus gives us the title of a victor in the Spirit instead of a victim of the flesh. However, though Jesus won over evil on the cross the devil is still active, trying daily to get back his own with his attacks on us. Face it, face him, and use your legal authority in Jesus Name today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 8
THE TWIST OF THE SWORD
When we speak of swords we think of Roman soldiers or someone Medieval, lots of violence and pain. As you know there are so many types of swords, some very long and heavy others shorter and easier to handle. Whatever, they all were made to inflict good or evil. Paul speaks of a sword made for good, the sword of the Spirit.
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Eph 6:17)
The Word of God is the heaviest weapon, we as Christians have to cut down evil. Paul calls this sword a “double edge” sword, one edge His Word the other edge our word. Our word is strong and fearless when it is one with the Word God. This kind of a sword was not long and heavy it was like a dagger with a corkscrew at the point, so it was a fatal weapon when it came in contact, it finished off the adversary. You had to get very close to use that dagger, and one twist of it was the end for your enemy. I like thinking that I can use the sword of the Spirit, and with just one twist and the devil once again has lost the battle and Jesus has the victory today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 9
UNTIL DEATH DO WE PART
When Jesus was with His disciples, they had no idea what the future was going to be for their master and teacher. They only knew as long as they had Jesus with them in their everyday lives, they had more healings, miracles, adventures than we can imagine being with Him. But then He took the Viva Rosa path to the cross, and they were alone without their teacher.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (Joh 14:18)
We have lived 2000 years after Jesus died. The disciples thought now Jesus is dead we are left on our own, in other words they felt like orphans. On the other hand Jesus told them He wouldn’t leave them as orphans, He said, "I will not leave you comfortless, I will send you a comforter that will be your new teacher, and guardian. ”When He ascended to His Father taking His place as the King of Kings, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower His followers and that includes us 2000 years later. Today we have the Holy Spirit, the comforter, our guardian here on earth until death do we part and then we will live again. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 10
JUST REWARDS
We know that God has rewards for us in Heaven. Did you ever think about the rewards He has for us here on earth. Faithful believers cannot go out into the world without telling about Jesus. In some cases that can be dangerous.
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward." (Heb 10:35)
But the protection God provides is a reward for our faithfulness. The provision He provides for us is because we are His soldiers. The strength and power that we get through the Holy Spirit is also a great reward. We think of only a crown and golden streets as our rewards, but we must think and give thanks differently. We have as Christians, serving and loving Jesus, daily rewards. Just count the miracles the healings and the deliverance you have had in your lifetime from the day you got saved. Perhaps you don’t think of yourself as a pastor, prophet or apostle, but they are not the only ones that receive just rewards. Give thanks and you will easily be able to count your just rewards today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 11
SPIRITUAL BONDAGE
For a Christian loving the Lord and wanting to serve Him this title is scary. Being in spiritual bondage is like being a prisoner to darkness, the devil. I am afraid there are many sisters and brothers in Christ that are still wearing these chains of bondage.
"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (1Jn 3:8)
It is our mind that Satan first tries to attack us with lies and deception. Yes, good faithful Christians can be deceived and set in bondage of the lies of darkness. In other words they are stuck behind a stronghold in their mind. Once the devil places the lie it is not easily removed. Spiritual bondage starts with the mind, then can affect to soul and at last the body. Depression is bondage. Insecurity is a bondage as well as sickness can be a bondage. All of these bondages are started in the mind; all have to do with spiritual thinking. Jesus came to break the bond of bondage on all mankind. The world finds comfort in bondage but Christians find misery. Call upon Jesus, He sets the prisoners free, He heals mind, soul, and body, He breaks down and away all spiritual bondage. Hallelujah He is our Saviour today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 12
TORNADOS AND HURRICANES
Wow, I lived in Florida for 10 yrs, weather conditions were always our concern. I don’t know why some Christians don’t think God is concerned about weather conditions. Here with Mark we have a confirmation that the Lord is in control of the weather. But at the same time He allows some things to happen and only does He know the reason why they happen.
"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full." (Mar 4:37)
"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mar 4:39)
When we read that there was a great storm and the Lord calmed the winds and waves, we understand a little of the reason for the storm, because Satan did not want the Lord to deliver the man that was in chains and insane with demonic spirits. Satan tried to stop the Lord from arriving to this point of destination of glory to God.
In the same way we look at that day for Jesus, we need to look at our stormy days. We actually had newscasters telling us this is the month of tornados and hurricanes, they predicted them. I lived there and prayed the Holy Spirit would blow those storms away or calm them down. I lived through them all in our mobile home park undamaged, and completely protected against 4 hurricanes while I was there. Yes, Christians pray when you hear those predictions coming over the news, God is listening and concerned about tornados and hurricanes where His children live today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 13
BARGAIN BASEMENT BARGAINS
Very seldom will we find a quality piece of china in a bargain basement sale. We need to go to a shop of fine china that is very costly to get the same dinner service that the wealthy like having in their home. What we find in bargain basements is usable but not as attractive, in most cases this ware is defected.
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (2Co 4:7)
Before we met Jesus and gave our lives to Him, we thought we could do anything we needed to do to make ourselves happy. We spent most of our time trying to gain happiness. We were defect earthen vessels that Paul speaks of, and yet we were made to last until our day of rebirth in Christ. The great potter broke us and stareds making us from a new beginning. When we became the new child of God, He could use us. He could place His Spirit in us, His power in us and His love in us. He could do it all and we could do nothing good without HIM. We became a fine piece of china, costly, from a bargain basement defect, now only worthy of the KING OF KINGS table today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 14
DIVINE LOVER
How much do you desire a lover? Of course you may have a lover that loves you, but do you desire more of them than you are getting? The love of man can never compare to the love of God. The divine lover that wants and desires you is the Holy Spirit, His love cannot be compared to any person.
"Do you think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us lusts to envy?" (Jas 4:5)
You know what it is to have a desire for a person or a thing. Your thoughts are continuously on that you desire. Thoughts you have are base on lust and envy. Well the Holy Spirit has lust and envy for you. He wants to be your divine lover. He wants you to think constantly on Him. Therefore He wants to be your constant companion. Those who love you protect you, guide you, and provide for you. That is what your Divine Lover the Holy Spirit wants to do also, if you will let Him today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 15
BATTLE SCARS
When I think of battle scars pertaining to Peter, Paul, and the disciples they suffered so much in their physical bodies as well as many others that followed Christ teachings and were called Christians. The Romans and the Jewish leaders thought they could put a stop to Christianity by beatings and killings of Christians.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh." (2Co 10:3)
Today the suffering continues in many nations, the beatings, killings and now beheadings are all part of Satan’s ultimate path he has taken to dispose of God’s Kingdom on earth. We will all be scarred in time because he is not going to let one Christian be free of his wrath. On the other hand we have the Victor and the Victory on our side. So if we bare battle scars, we also will wear a Crown and sit at a place at the KING OF KINGS table. Daily battles with our enemy, he will afflict scars on us every day, sometimes very painful but never fatal. Our battles scars against the prince of darkness and for the Prince of Peace confirm our position with Him in Heaven today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 16
SAYING YES TO YOUR BEST FRIEND
Do you sometimes wonder who your best friend is? After all I am sure you have a list of good friends, but which one is your best friend? Perhaps you have a friend from your childhood, and you like doing everything together, spending free time together. That sounds great. Is your best friend Christian, do they believe as you do, are they saved?
"Quench not the Spirit." (1Th 5:19)
I had a best friend, we went to the same church, but after 20 yrs friendship she backslides back into the world and the materialistic lifestyle from her past. I pray for her everyday and she has never befriended me on FB. Perhaps the same has happened to a strong relationship in your life.
The Holy Spirit wants to be your best friend; He wants to spend time with you. He wants to guild you and be your constant companion. The Spirit wants to be so alive in you and work through you and be always with you. We all need to listen, obey, and follow the Holy Spirit. By all means we must not quench the Spirit. We must say, "Yes," because He is surely our best friend today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 17
OTHERS HAVE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE NOW
Have you thought about the fact that exactly where you are now in your walk with Christ or your battle with Satan, others have been there also? These others have gained victory over the place where you are. We have always had the desire to move on from where we are. That is because we are saints and wish to rise higher every day.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses." (Heb 12:1)
Paul was always trying to encourage the church. He wanted them to know that all the trials they we going through, others had been through before, and they have come out, rising to the clouds. Actually the word “cloud” pertains to the highest seats in a stadium. To get to these seats takes a lot of energy and strength to make the climb. Those who are the wittiness’s are seated in the “cloud section” have had to use all their strength to get up there. They have been faithful and obedient to Christ. Although many times the devil has whispered to them, "You can’t make it up there,” they persevered and made it.
There has always been a cheering group up there shouting, “You can make it, keep going.” Anytime that we feel this is too hard I am not strong enough to overcome these problems, not faithful enough to overcome the darts of the devil, not good enough to be up with the saints in the cloud section. Just remember they have been where you are now. So you can look up and see where they are now, is also your goal today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 18
THEY MAY LAUGH AT YOU
I am aware that you as a Christian enjoying a relationship with Christ are meeting people that have a little laugh and a comment, "Oh, you are religious," then you say, “No I'm a Christian, I have I have a relationship with Jesus, just like a friend." Then they tell others and you don’t hear from them again. They don’t say anything to your face, but they will with a laugh and sheepish smile, you get the message.
"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1Co 1:27)
Well, what to with these people is to pray for them, and bring them to the Lord. Paul tells us that there are foolish things that can confuse us. We want friends, sometimes it is important for us to commune with unbelievers at work or at play.
The thing I have noticed with the unbelievers they always talk about themselves. Yes, that is the high point in their conversation, when the high point in our hearts is to talk about Jesus. No more confusion when we know who we are and who we serve. Goliath laughed at David, he was young, skinny and not much to look at as a champion for Israel. But that is who and what he was, a champion for the Lord Almighty. Next time they laugh at me or you, we must remember that we have the "champion of champions” on our team and we can have the last laugh today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 18
SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND
Are you seeking God? It is amazing how easy it is to find God. And so many seek Him and have found Him. Does that sound like a mystery to you? Yes for those who have not found Him it is a mystery. But for those who have found Him and are seeking a full relationship with Him it is still a mystery.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Heb 11:6)
How you build a relationship with God, is the same way you would build a relationship with a new friend. You would want to spend time with them, talk with them, invite them to your home, these are the things you would do to build a relationship with a new friend and same to build a relationship with God. New friends require some special things and so does God .He requires your faith, He wants you to spend time in His Word, and to be in your home and your life and talk with God. God wants to reward you for diligently seeking Him and that reward is that you have found Him today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 19
GUILTY UNTIL FORGIVEN
Now that we are new born-again Christians we can still look back to those days when we did not know our Saviour. We didn’t know Him, we didn’t talk to Him, we didn’t even want Him in our lives. All that has changed now, because we found out that Holy Spirit was always on our case.
"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." (Joh 16:8)
You remember how you had bad feelings about something you had done, well who do you think was bothering you about that. John is telling us who was coming and who would reprove sin. Yes of course he was speaking of the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit that convicted you when you were sinning. He came to you to bother you until you surrendered to Jesus, until you committed your life to Him. First you cried out “forgive me”; you knew how guilty you were of sin. Perhaps you done nothing criminal but you were guilty of hurting others and yourself with sin. We all were until we surrendered to Jesus our Saviour. From that day that we were judged and forgiven, we became righteous in the eyes of God. John was the revelator; he knew that you and I were going to get that second chance from the Holy Spirit today, that chance from being guilty of sin and to be forgiven through the cross. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 20
DIVINE WEAPONS WITH DIVINE STRATEGY
We all know the old hymn “Onward Christians Soldiers," have you ever thought of yourself as a soldier, battling against the devil in God’s army?
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. (2Co 10:4)
To battle the evil spirits of darkness we must have divine weapons. We must also be clothed in a divine armour. In Eph 6: 13-18 Paul gives us a description of our divine armour. Starting with our “Helmet of Salvation.” The only way you can take on the divine armour is after you are saved at the cross. So then we can continue dressing, the ”Breastplate of Righteousness" and the ”Belt of Truth,” which are connected together. Then we have our shoes of the “Peace of Christ," we will carry our weapons the ”Sword of the Spirit” and the “Shield of Faith." All this armour is very important to bring a victory against the devil and break down his strongholds.
Then we also must listen to our commander the Holy Spirit. In that battle-room of the Father where, with the Son and Holy Spirit, has planned the battle strategy to win the war. As we submit our energy and strength to persevere against God’s enemies, we reap the reward of that victory for God today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 21
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Paul refers to this sword as a “two edged sword." That type of Roman weapon was a shorter type “dagger” which had to be applied at close range.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword." (Heb 4:12)
What is the closest weapon you have? Yes, it is your tongue. And the same for God. His spoken word is the strongest weapon. When His Word is spoken it is passed on to us, so that we too will use our strongest weapon, our mouth. First edge is God’s Word, His prophecies and we pass His words on to declare victory. The sword is a weapon to remove the enemy, to kill him off, to free the prisoners and to win the land for Christ. God gives us His weapon and commands us to use His weapon today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 22
YOU ARE NOT ALONE, YOU HAVE A PARTNER
We are never so holy that we are not in need of the Holy Spirit. Actually He has offered to be our partner. We all want to be independent of others interfering or help. But there comes a time in our lives we must ask for help. Many times we go to the wrong source of help and therefore that help ends up as a disappointment and failure.
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." (2Co 13:14)
If we change direction and come to the source that the Lord has provided for us in a divine partnership with the Holy Spirit, we will find that our strength and faith will increase, because then there are two, which is always better than one. So here in this verse we have it all. The grace that we are in need of because of sin, the love we are in need of because of loneliness and the communion we are in need of because of insecurity. We have the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that is answering all our needs, and giving us a divine partnership that we can truly rely on today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 23
LIFE OF OBEDIDENCE
When we became Christians, we found out that there were a few rules to follow to please the Lord. Jesus said “If you love me you will obey me." Here I am, a women of 30yrs, and heard the same from my parents all my life.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight." (Heb 12:1)
As a new Christian, born-again, I had to understand that I needed lots of instruction of what the Lord now expected of me. To begin with faith, trust and obedience. Growing up I had my parents tell me what to do; now I have the Word of God telling what to do. As a child I tried to get away with as much as possible. Yikes! I found out that it is not as easy as a child of God to try those shortcuts.
Paul tells us there have been many “cloud of witnesses“ that have also had to learn the teachings of obedience by laying aside weights. Those weights I have found out pertain to sin, bad habits, lousy attitudes, doubt and fear. All these weights lay heavy on us as we are just beginning to walk with Christ. But there is one consolation, we can turn to a lifestyle of obedience. We can learn to apply the rules to our own desires. When we desire to please God we find it easier to obey Him. Then today there will be more joy, peace and love in our new lifestyle of obedience. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 24
HIS NEW HOME
Did you know when you opened your heart to Jesus; someone made your heart their new home. When I say someone I am referring to the, "Holy Spirit."
"For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1Co 6:20)
Paul tells us we were bought with the price of Christ’s blood. In other words the most costly price asked of mankind was paid at the cross and we were redeemed. Our soul is not any longer ours, our spirit is no longer ours, our body is no longer ours, and we belong to a new owner Jesus. He has placed the Holy Spirit to manage His new property, you and I.
Yes, the Holy Spirit has moved into your heart for one purpose, to glorify God. He lives with us to comfort us, to guide us, and at times to convict us. He is also there in us to speak through us, at times in our tongue, or other times in His Heavenly tongue. Jesus knew what we were going to need as His servant and His soldier, we are in need of His power which is now in us through the Holy Spirit. We want to treat the Holy Spirit with the same respect that we would have for a Royal visitor in our home. But now, Praise God, the Holy Spirit is not our guest. Today He has now taken full residency in us, and has made us His new home. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 25
KINDS OF PRAYER
Paul tells us that there are kinds of prayers.
"Praying always with all (kinds) prayers." (Eph 6:18)
The prayer of faith is a very strong prayer. Jesus said faith can move a mountain. When we pray in faith we are asking the Lord to make all decisions over our request. We believe that our request was answered on Calvary and will be manifested in God’s timing and at His will. For one that is sick we anoint them with oil as we pray in faith.
The prayer of intersession is always directed to the needs of others. Starting with loved ones etc. It can be spoken for their provision, deliverance, healing, also for the church and world leaders.
When we get personal we pray for signification. We want a special request of God; we need Him to lift us up and away from the world environment. The prayer of Jabez is a very good prayer to pray ask for consecration and sanctification for your spiritual life for ministry and servant hood.
Power is in unity and the prayer of agreement is powerful and can break through strongholds, such as deliverance, healing, provision also rebuking lies from the devil.
Prayer of thanksgiving is a form of worship to the Lord.
These are the some of the prayers Paul was speaking of and today we should make them ours also. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 26
YOUR OLD PHOTO ALBUM
We all have a past; I mean a past before we gave our lives to Christ. We all have family with the old photos from our past also. Paul knew that his duty to the church and brethren was to encourage them to do better.
"Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:" (Eph 2:2)
Paul was a little harsh with this verse accusing others of serving the devil and being bad and disobedient. He knew how important it was for his brethren to walk a straight line, not swerving to left and right and compromising with the enemy. They all had temptations from family and friends to turn from Christianity back into the world. Paul just wanted to remind them of their old lives and habits. He was not doing it to judge them, he called them children, and he loved them all. With this verse Paul is reassuring them that they have control now and don’t have to revert back to who they were back then, back then was no longer of any importance to the new life they had with Jesus.
What about us, sometimes we look back in the old photo album. Do we look with regret or with relief? Do we look at that person with shock or with a smile? We don’t have to go back to the past because with Jesus we can just go forward to the future starting today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 27
LOOK UP YOUR REDEMPTION IS HERE
I hope that you saints will always preach the “message of the cross." There are sadly so many churches that preach everything on Christianity except the cross. Paul was certain about teaching salvation and redemption because of the cross.
"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree." (Gal 3:13)
When we were under the law we were slaves to the law. The blood of Christ washed away the law and broke the bonds that were holding us like prisoners. Through the grace of God our sentence has been scratched and we are redeemed. We are not just free for a season we are free for life.
Wearing a cross around your neck is a sign of what happened at Calvary. Throughout the day you may touch your cross and kiss it as it reminds you of where you were and now where you are because of Jesus. We are not only redeemed for life, but we have a friend for life, because He gave his life for us. If you look around you see mankind in bondage, but if we look up, we see our redemption is here. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 28
SERIOUS MATTER WITH GOD
Have you ever thought how serious a backslider has made a big mistake? A believer that returns to the world, living a worldly life is in serious trouble with God.
"Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (Jas 4:4)
God has never stopped loving the backslider, but what happened is the backslider has stopped loving God. For this reason whoever has returned to their past life before their conversion promising their life to Christ, has become a serious matter with God. You remember God saying, “This is my Son listen to Him.” In other words God was saying, listen to Him, follow Him, obey Him and love Him. Those who have chosen to forget these commands are losers.
God does not stop loving losers, He just can’t back them. God knows that those on His team are winners, He see the losers and remembers when they were on His team. This is sad for God. Do you remember the father with the prodigal son? He was waiting everyday for his son to return. That is like God waiting and hoping for the backslider to return, to repent and to receive his redemption. Until his return his absence is a serious s matter with God. And today it should also be a very serious matter with those who have left God. Amen.
DAILY NUGGETS
For March
From Revbon
NUGGET: MAR 1
RECEPTACLES OF HIS POWER
I find it very sad when I hear a leader or pastor instruct their church they must pray harder or repent more or give a special offering to receive the Holy Spirit‘s filling. We know that God gives His Spirit the same as He gives His Grace.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Eph 6:10)
God loves to give gifts and to keep on giving. Gifts are for the taking and thanking, nothing more. We don’t have to beg God for His gifts, or repent to receive His Grace, or even make a special offering for what God wants us to have. He wants to fill us with His Powerful Spirit.
Sadly some Christians don’t understand what that can mean with their lives. More power, more prosperity, more power, more boldness, more power, more healings, all Christians are in need of more power that is theirs with the filling of the Holy Spirit. Our greatest desire as Christians should always be to want more of everything God has for us. To be receptacles of Power will so enrich our lives and our spiritual walk with Christ today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 2
THE DEVIL AND HIS TRICKS
I know that it is so easy for us to blame the devil for everything that is not going well in our lives. But come on, he is not always to blame, is he?
"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2Co 2:11)
Paul tells us that the devil has devices that we should be aware of. Honestly the devil is a whisperer, he suggests something wrong and off, we go for it. We can’t blame him because we are so weak. So how do we get smart and stronger? We can only stay closer to Jesus and listen to Him so that whisperer will not get through to us, even if he shouts. That same devil tempted Jesus and what did He do? Jesus rebuked the devil with the Word of God, “It is written.” If He can do that, so can we. We have the Word of God and we can use it when the devil whispers or shouts. Our strength against him is to declare the Word as our defence. Let the devil come with all his tricks and we can pack him and his tricks off with the Word, “Get thee behind me Satan.” Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 3
IS BEING RICH REASONABLE FOR US?
Everyone wants to be rich. Of course being rich is a heavy responsibility.
"That in everything you are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:" (1Co 1:5,6)
Paul is tells us we are rich, but perhaps we have lost concept of what he is telling us. We are thinking in material terms. He is telling us that our riches are not material which can age, defect, and disappear. How wonderful to know our riches are forever ours and eternal. But at the same time with these spiritual riches we still have responsibility. Paul says the testimony of Christ needs to be told. Who has that job? Yes we do, we are the rich ones that have the wealth of Heaven to spread out to others. That wealth is the Gospel. The Gospel can enrich all mankind. Can make everyone prosper and grow. The Gospel can heal the sick, restore the broken hearted and save the lost. Perhaps material riches are not reasonable for us, but spiritual riches are not only reasonable but are precious to us today. They are our goal. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 4
ARE WE SLOTHFUL CHRISTIANS?
There is an animal called a Sloth. The creature moves very slowly It sleeps a lot also. It is not lazy, it is just slow.
"That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Heb 6:12)
We don’t have to be lazy to be slow. On the contrary we may be very busy, so how are we slothful Christians? Look at all that you're doing in the church, in your ministry, with your family etc. No one can call you lazy, so how can they call you slothful. A slothful Christian has lost his zeal, his excitement, his goal. He is doing what the Lord has asked of him, but his joy no longer exists. We need to get back to the beginning where our desire was to please God. Our desire encourages us and excites us about every task we have as His loyal servant. If others don’t see that excitement they too will become monotones and slothful. In only a short time we will be known as the slothful church. Remembering the promises of God to each one of us will bring back the excitement in our lives and our church today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 5
A LUKEWARM CONDITION
The term “lukewarm" leaves us with the question, what is it good for? In the winter you want warm and in summer you want cold, so is there any time you want lukewarm?
"So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth." (Rev 3:16)
Lukewarm water doesn’t pleasure the palate, nor is it great to bath in, and it can’t make a cup of tea. John tells us it is disgusting.
No church wants to be lukewarm, accused of making the Lord spew them. How can we restore the fire of the Holy Spirit to warm up our ministries, our testimonies, our prayer groups? When the church is bound together with true fellowship like a committed family in Christ, the fire may burn again. The heat will rise and the church will strive and grow today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 6
CAN YOU MIMIC GOD?
I understand to mimic a person you must study them very well. You must know something of their character.
"Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children." (Eph 5:1)
To follow anyone in their footsteps is to get very close to them. Paul is telling us to follow God, to be His followers. Is there anyway that we can follow Him close enough to start to mimic Him? Paul says we are dear children of God, if so then we should know Him very well. After all He is our Father. Most of us know our father, most we know our father’s character, and we could mimic him.
Perhaps there are Christians that you wish to mimic; you think they are very good and holy people. That is OK if you only want to see them as a good example to follow. We can and should learn from each other. We can and should also learn from God so that we can be a good example also. Studying God’s Word will reveal His character and His person. If you want to mimic God you must study His Word, fellowship with His family and attend His church. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 7
YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE THE HOLY SPIRIT MAD
Are you aware of how much the Holy Spirit desires to have us? James has a special way of telling us.
"Do you think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us lusts to envy?" (Jas 4:5)
When we think of the lust that the Spirit has for us, we think wow, how can the Holy Spirit lust. For us that word refers to something bad, but it is not. The only thing bad can be what we lust for. Then James mentions envy, another word we try to stay away from. But when it comes to the Holy Spirit, He is lusting for us because He wants to make sure we belong to Him. He also is envious if anything would stop us from not listening to Him or serving another master. So to keep the Holy Spirit from getting mad is to please Him. To listen to Him, serve Him and love Him. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 8
WE NEED REST WHEN WE ARE STRESSED
Do you find it is hard to get a good night sleep when you are stressed? I can’t sleep or rest when I am stressed or have a problem that occupies my mind. Paul has a nice way of telling us to rest, and relax.
"And to you who are troubled rest with us." (2Th 1:7)
We may think we have troubles, let me tell you the early church had big troubles. Those brethren were risking their lives for spreading the Gospel to others. In fact their own family and neighbours would turn them in for a price. Paul went through the same kind of persecution when he was in Asia. Now he wants to comfort the church and encourage them to have faith and relax.
We also need to learn to relax in the middle of any dilemma that has us stressed. How to take a break and let go of our problems is only accomplished with our trusting in the Lord and resting in Him. God did a lot in six days then rested on the seventh. He does not expect more of us than that either. He knows we need our rest, what can you do to relax, read God's Word, listen to worship music, or perhaps prayer relaxes you. Sometimes I try them all, and they work and I get off to sleep and have my rest when I am stressed even today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 9
THE END WE CALL “THE LAST DAYS”
Have you heard that now is the beginning of the “last days” Do you believe that, I do.
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2Ti 3:1)
Normally Paul was always encouraging the brethren of the church. But here he scares them. He knows what they are going through, and yet he is telling “this is a piece of cake” wait until you see what is coming in the last days, the end of times. Everything coming will be harmful, hurtful and horrible. His first words are “pay attention I am warning you of what is on the way.”
Paul warns that in the future there will be the ”end of times” and at that time there will be a perilous environment. Perilous refers to wild, vicious and uncontrollable. Today we see those things happening, but only a very small part of what is to come. So with this warning from Paul through the Holy Spirit, we can see how much God loves us and wants us to stay awake and alert. He wants His people to take responsibility, to warn others, minister the Gospel and
harvest in the saved for Christ. That is our opportunity today, to protect our loved ones when the end is near and the last days are here. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 10
HAVING PATIENCE TO REACH YOUR GOAL
Everyone has a goal, but not everyone reaches their goal, because for them it is beyond their reach. So how do we reach our goals? First we ask God if our goal pleases Him, does He want the same for us as we want for ourselves.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. (Jas 1:2,3)
Goals are not easily reached, a lot of faith and patience is required to make it. There are always “pitfalls” in our way. Paul calls them “divers temptations” He suggests that with faith and patience you can do perfect work and you will see that your goals can be reached. Therefore you will be filled with joy in the Lord wanting for nothing. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 11
WHERE DOES MY HELP COME FROM?
Are you in a church or even a business where you find "you had to do it all.” I agree sometimes because of certain knowledge this may be the case, where you are short of the people that have been trained as you have been. But in most cases we do it all because we think we know it all.
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Rom 12:3)
My son had this happen at his work .He was trained and had been there for many years but he got tired of doing everything and said, “Why hasn’t somebody else had this training? Where is my help coming from?” But he had no help until he asked for it. Lesson learned and now everything has changed, he is much happier and now he will speak up.
The same thing can happen in a church. There are many that attend and are there to serve or help but aren't. There are others that serve and don’t ask for help. Still another group are those who truly think no one can do this as well as they do, so they don’t want help. These groups are not really working in unity the way God wants the church to be. So Paul addresses them all. He says that all three of groups if they are in our church, think to highly of themselves, as too highly to serve or help, too highly to ask for help and too highly to share with helpers. A quick fix could be when Group 1 says IF, I come a little earlier on Sunday I could help with setting up the church. Group 2 IF I approach someone and ask them to come
a little earlier to help me I wouldn't get so stressed. And Group 3 IF I recognized some of the talents we have in the church we may work together very well. Paul said every man is given a measure of faith. IF we turn to each other no man will be higher than his brother we will know where our help is coming from and with that unity we will all glorify Jesus. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 12
GOD’S ROCKS
We always have someone that we recognize in our life that seems to be like a very strong person that just can always be relied on. They are always there helping others and organizing a perfect home and family. Also everyone knows them in church and loves them.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1Co 15:58)
There is no doubt that in our churches there are those that attend every meeting and Bible Study and Prayer group. Surely they are those Paul is speaking of. They are dependable to take their place in the church. But I also see others as "reliable rocks." They are not always present in church. They are steadfast in service to the Lord. They have given up everything that we consider comfortable; they have given up family and friends to serve the Lord, travelling to undeliverable places where all the comforts they find normal no longer exist in their lives. Missionaries throughout the world have been martyrs and prisoners. So we have ”rocks” that are steadfast in one place, one church. Then we have “rocks” who are steadfast in many places, many missions. Most important is that God’s “rocks” do not get broken, they must stay strong. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 13
MUST YOU BE WORTHY OF GOD’S GIFTS?
Well we all know the answer to this, we can’t be worthy of His gifts. OK then, if we can’t be worthy, how do we rightly use them?
"Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2Ti 2:1)
Timothy was up when he was the senior pastor of the church of Ephesus. Before Nero the church was flourishing and more Christians came. But then this crazy Nero threatened them all and they fled to save their own lives. The church went way down and so did Timothy. The problem was not his fault, but he felt he had failed them all. Timothy had changed, but the gift and the power of the Holy Spirit had not changed. Paul knew Timothy needed encouragement to get his confidence back.
At times we to find ourselves feeling guilty and unworthy of God’s gift, because we face walls of opposition. The power of the cross has never changed; the power of the Holy Spirit has never changed. We need the encouragement in God’s Word that Timothy needed from Paul. Through the grace of God, He sees us worthy and when we thank Him for His gift, we will know how to rightly use them. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 14
GIVING TO GOD
We know that in God’s Word, He asks for gifts from us. He asks for tithes and offerings, but more than that He tells us that He will reward us for our obedience.
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward." (Heb 10:35)
When we are truthful with our giving to God is it only to give to the church? When we are giving offerings is it only to give to Christian charities? Well first we work for our income or have worked for it when we retire. So we make every effort to give rightly to church or charity, but are there more ways that we should consider in giving?
We need to organize our lives to where we have time to give in the Name of Jesus, our witness, our evangelism, our testimony. The Lord said that we are to spread the Gospel, that takes our energy. Paul is telling us all that God has for us in His plan, we must guard our confidence. To give to God what He truly is waiting for, it us is to give to others our time and our love. Then wait to see what God gives back. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 15
SHOES MADE BY GOD
As you know we have an armour that is Spiritual and protective if we put it on daily. When we get up in the morning we put on our slippers and when we get dressed we put on shoes. Slippers were not made to go outside in, and shoes were not made to wear in the house. Both of them were made for special purposes and God made shoes for us for special purposes also.
"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." (Eph 6:15)
Paul refers to a Roman soldier’s sandals. Now when I say sandals, believe me they were nothing like what we have wear today. First there is a shield of metal on the calf to protect the legs and calves. They were protected from their adversary as well as the rough environment they may have to trudge through .I like the idea that in God’s shoes I am protected from the rough environment I have to be in when I leave the safety of my home.
Then there are more unusual aspects with these divine sandals. The Roman soldier had spikes under his sandals, so he could place himself in a stable position if he was to have combat with his enemy. Paul tells us these shoes represent the peace of God when we must be steady and stand for Christ and the Gospel. Then there is a deadly aspect with these sandals which is the spike at the toe which could kill or severely damage their enemy with just one kick. That is good to know that as soon as the devil gets to close, wham! You can kick him, damage him, kill him and put him out of business. Hallelujah. When you get ready in the day take out those God made shoes in the Word of God, put them on and give thanks to Him for that daily protection He has provided you with. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 16
OUR SPIRITUAL LEADERS
You might think that the only spiritual leaders for you to follow, are big, well known evangelists or preachers, but that is not what Paul was telling us.
"That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Heb 6:12)
Paul was telling us be close to your spiritual leaders. That is not much of a possibility if we have only one from the TV or radio. No doubt they are very important in God’s work, but are they the answer for the work God has for us?
Do not be lazy or slothful, but be consistent and persevere with our strength in Christ. We may be in a small church, but even in our own home church we have spiritual leaders. Leaders that God appointed there to manage His House, whether big or small, God has His hand on your leaders. Paul tells us to be strong not lazy. Therefore we must use our energy to support our spiritual leaders, help them and most of all listen and learn from them. We can learn very quickly that those close to us are those God has for our benefit to get closer to Him. Elisha did not leave Elijah because he knew if he stayed with him he would be blessed. The same for us, if we stay with our spiritual leaders we will be blessed. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 17
HURTING TO THE CORE OF YOUR HEART
I have been very fortunate, I have only had one person disappointment me in the last 25 yrs, and I believe that to be a good record. I know and hear of broken hearts and I feel very sorry for these people.
"And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit you to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2Ti 2:2)
Poor Timothy, he had done everything for his church, for his leaders and all the Christians there. Just as soon as Nero started his campaign to gather up Christians, Timothy was abandoned, he found himself with no friends and no brethren. How painful for him. Perhaps you also have experienced pain like that. People you love and have invested into the relationship with all your heart, then broken and abandoned, hurt to the core of your heart. What to do? Paul said to Timothy there are still faithful that are with you. That is a lesson for us; there are still others in our lives that have not left us. Those are the witnesses’ Paul speaks of to Timothy and us. When we are broken to the core of our heart we need the others that are still there with us. We need also to know that the ones that never left need us also. When the church of Ephesus was suffering such great pain Timothy had faithful followers and friends and when your life is suffering you also have faithful followers and friends. Stay with them and love them. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 18
BEING DISAGREEABLE
I like watching old movies about court cases, usually the person being disagreeable in the jury room is the one that has the truth and has to stay on their conviction. But that is not always the case with disagreeable people.
"From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling." (1Ti 1:6)
Looking back at some of the reality in one’s life, I can remember people that were disagreeable and they certainly were not in the right, just very unpleasant to be with. It was like they always had a “bone out of joint” and never found anyone else's ideas or opinions to agreeable. They are very concerned with only themselves and their agenda. How can we change the situation? How can we change this kind of nuisance in our lives? One way is to pray for them, try to encourage them to think of others rather than only themselves. Tell them how much Jesus loves them. There are many ways to work out a better relationship. I believe that when you have a relationship with Jesus, everything else can work out for you. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 19
DREAMS CAN COME TRUE
I am writing a year book, that is my dream to leave my family a book so they have every day with the Word of God. To make the dream come true it takes a lot of my life and my perseverance each day.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1Co 15:58)
If you have a dream, believe me they don’t come true with wishing. They can come true with praying. But to make sure they come true is with working. Any dream you have should be to glorify God in your life, whether you are at home, at school, at work or in the church. Dreams take a lot of work to come true. The more you are doing for Christ the more your dreams have a chance. The devil doesn’t want them to come true, he will put obstacles in the way, some will seem impossible to overcome. But with God all things are possible, and so are your dreams. Keep praying and keep working until your dreams come true. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 20
NEVER LET GO
Yesterday we spoke of dreams coming true. Today we speak of not letting go of your dreams.
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)." (Heb 10:23)
Do you think God speaks to us through dreams? Sometimes, even when we are asleep, He can speak to us in our daydreams. God uses dreams to tell us His plans in our life. In most cases we don’t realize that it is God speaking.
Well if you had a dream from God, what would you do? The best thing to do first is get a confirmation that God wants the same as you do. Then you have to begin to build on your dream. Your dreams are very powerful, because they can change your life and the lives of others.
The more you desire your dreams to come true the more your faith will grow and the sooner your dreams will succeed. Perseverance is the key to holding on to dreams. Work is the answer to see dreams come true. Faith is the power to build your dreams on. With all this going for you, you must be very sure not to let go. Paul says hold fast, without wavering. Your dream should be on a straight path, no waving from side to side. Get a dream today, hold fast to it, in the faith of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 21
ORDER IN OUR LIVES
Well, order in our lives is not an easy subject. At times there is no order in my home so that definitely affects my life. But on the other side of the coin decency is a big part of the order I do have in my life.
"Let all things be done decently and in order." (1Co 14:40)
Paul tells the church what he expects of them and of us. Sadly their houses, they called church, does not follow God’s Word. In fact their doctrines and teaching disrespected God’s Word. Then there are churches that use music that is unacceptable for worship. Also there are churches that make social activities a priority over their Sunday meetings, Bible Study and prayer groups.
Everyone has an opinion on what they think covers decency and order in God’s House. Paul only considered what glorified God in His House and our house. Well do you have what glorifies God in your house? Are there any flaws in your home concerning God? I find that people do not recognize reading material as an abomination to God. They can turn off the TV, radio, change relationships but how do you purify your mind from the wrong books.
OK this is where I suggest you return order and decency in your life and in your home, check the reading material you have. Make sure your life is ordered to glorify God by reading His Word today. Amen
NUGGET: MAR 22
RECOGNIZING LOYALITY TO CHRIST
Perhaps you are asked to pray for a servant of the Lord. Paul was praying for Timothy, but more than requesting the help he needed Paul was reminding the Lord first of all the years Timothy had served the church in the past and how he was living under persecution from the leaders, was abandon by them. Paul would remind the Lord of Timothy’s broken spirit and confusion and fear now present.
"I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day." (2Ti 1:3)
When it is our time to pray for other Christians, it is good to remind the Lord of their journey in the past. How they became loyal to Christ. You don’t have to be a leader, or pastor to have a righteous past with Christ. Whatever you have surrender in your past life is a testimony of faith and needs to be remembered, and given thanks for.
If we are in the valley or on the mountain we know we are never there alone, Jesus is with us, and He still loves us and is our helper. We sometimes forget to give thanks for our past life with Him, always just thinking of the present. When we look back to our first steps with Christ, and follow up with recognizing our walk with Him and our loyalty to Him, we can’t do anything other than start to give Him thanks and praise.
I know you have your prayer time, but how about maybe once a week, start having your memory time. Go back and look at your mental photos of when you were born-again, water baptized or baptized in the Spirit. Just like your baby pictures you will begin to smile and thank God and say” Thank You Jesus that I have come this far,” Praise God! Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 23
ASK WHAT YOU WILL
Are you bold when request something from God in prayer? Being bold is a very good asset for a Christian as long as faith is with it.
"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you." (Joh 15:7)
John starts with big “if” in this verse. That “if“ has to do with born-again Christians. Only when we are born-again can the Holy Spirit abide in us. So therefore only when we are born-again can God’s Words abide in us. That is a way of saying, no matter how bold you are demanding or requesting from God in prayer, if you are not born–again they are your words and not from the Spirit.
God hears the prayer of repentance; He hears the crying of forgiveness and surrender, because the Holy Spirit has convicted a sinner and brought him or her to the cross. Praise God! So now the Holy Spirit abides in you, now the Words of the Holy Spirit abide in you, now you can ask what you will because your will is now the will of God. Today that request can done in boldness and authority in the Name of Jesus “it shall be done unto you." Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 24
THE LOIN-BELT OF TRUTH
When we look at the armour of a Roman soldier, we can barely see his loin-belt, which is the most essential part of his armour for battle.
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth." (Eph 6:14)
Let us just have a look at what is so important about this belt. First it holds the ”breastplate of righteousness” in place on the chest of the soldier. There are hooks on the belt, one that is for the sheath of the “sword of the Spirit” to hang on and another hook for his ”shield of faith," as well as a hook for his bag of arrows, and still another for a water pouch. So you can see that his belt was holding everything in place.
If the belt, which was made his size, did not fit him perfectly, nothing would be hanging correctly. His breastplate would be loose and not protecting him properly. The ”belt of truth” is a very essential piece of armour that must be in place correctly. If we do not own the Truth of Christ, we cannot go into battle. If we don’t wear the “breastplate of righteousness" covering our heart we could die in battle. If the “sword of Spirit” is not quickly available in our hand, we would have no weapon against our enemy. If the “shield of faith” was not in our hand we would not be protected or have confidence against our enemy.
Without our loins being girthed up with the belt we cannot be a soldier for Christ. Also this belt must always be in perfect condition. Just like the pieces of your armour. Is your "breastplate of righteousness" shining? Is your ”sword of the Spirit” sharp? Is your “shield of faith” ready for battle? How is your armour today? Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 25
LOOK UNDER YOUR FOOT
I would like to think that if I could get my problems in a little pile, then just stump them to bits, they would be gone for good.
"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." (Rom 16:20)
Actually Paul tells us that is exactly what the Holy Spirit has said to him, that God shall stamp Satan under His foot. As I remember Jesus told us that in His Name we have the same authority to overcome Satan. So Paul just reminds us of that authority we have in Christ.
Now this world is in chaos, so the God of Peace can and will bring back harmony when He stamps out Satan. We each have our own little worlds and to keep them peaceful is at times a challenge, but now we have the answer. We have authority, we have God on our side and we have our “shoes the Gospel of Peace." So let us begin, stamp, stamp. Look under your feet; have you definitely stamped Satan out of your life, home, workplace, church? Only when the Peace of God is in control can the devil come under God’s feet.
We use Jesus Name as our weapon. God uses His peace as His weapon. When we can look under our feet to all our problems and see them as God sees them, with peace, only until then can we stamp them out of our lives. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 26
GOD WILL RECKON WITH US
I am always a little curious about statements like this title. I love Jesus, I asked for His forgiveness and I gave Him my life, I laid everything from my past life at the foot of His cross, and I have never gone back to pick them up.
"After a long time the lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them." (Mat 25:19)
I am a born–again Christian, and believe when Jesus said He is my friend, that is the truth. I gladly serve the Lord in various areas of my life and I have since 1975. But here I am with this verse from Matthew, saying that God is going to reckon with me in the future. That makes me think of Santa with the “naughty and nice ledger." I read this verse and want to say, “But Lord, let me tell You how good I am and good I have been.”
There is only one problem with my thinking, He knows me better than I know myself and I am content with that. You can see how curious this all is. The only thing I can add to this daily nugget is how do you stand with Jesus? Have you followed in the same pattern I have lived my life for Him? Step one is, ask His forgiveness and be saved. Step two is, to be water baptized. Step three is, ask the Holy Spirit where He wants you to step and follow Him. At least by that time you will have the promise of eternal life and you will live in that promise today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 27
RUN TO WIN
Have you ever run a race? I ran track when I was younger. I can honestly say I used every bit of energy to pass the next runner. I was not the best, but I persevered and I was only interested in winning.
"Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain." (1Co 9:24)
I like what Paul said here. He is telling us if we run with all our confidence and strength that we need to get to our goal, as long as we stay in the race, we win. When the race is on, there are observers that are watching to see your performance. That is fine, because those that are observing will be encouraged by watching the runners.
When we encourage other Christians, we are serving Christ and He sees us in the winner's circle. If you have ever watched the Olympics you see there a several kinds of foot races. So when God tells you which race you are to participate in, you want to go there and run with all your might, to win. Remember today Paul says, “You may obtain your prize.” Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 28
AMATEUR OR PROFESSIONAL
Have you considered that there can be amateur and professional Christians? Maybe you don’t think “that is not a very Godlike talking about Christianity like that.” Well Paul does it.
"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." (2Ti 2:5)
Paul has said that as Christian we need to strive for our Master’s degree. Now the one thing I can tell you this means to me, is that we must work hard at getting closer to the Master Jesus. That the only way one can get to the stage of professional-ship is hard work and perseverance.
So how about Christians that come to church on Sunday only? We have church that has Sunday services, weekly Bible Study and Prayer groups, Men's Breakfast, Ladies Breakfast etc., but you only see a certain group on Sunday. So what does Paul says about them? He said the reason they’re not crowed is because they are not being lawful with Christ.
How are we lawful with Christ? Well the fact is Jesus wants your life. So if you have little time for Him and the church and fellowship with others Christians that want to grow, you are not being lawful because you are not being obedient. The Holy Spirit has given us in God’s Word, what He wants from us, our obedience. So here we have Christians that struggle at hard times because of their disobedience and the lives as amateur Christians. Then there Christians that direct their lives to obey God to read His Word and persevere to follow Christ.
It is not an easy task to work for your Master degree staying in the presence of the Master. All of us Christians need to work for our crown as a reward for our obedience. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 29
SUPERNATURAL MINISTRY
When we think of supernatural, do we think of Heaven? For me, I know nothing that is supernatural, other than the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
"Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Rom 8:26)
When we get saved we become ministers for Christ. We need growth in the Word of God and need to learn from Paul teachings. Paul was so concerned about the church and his beloved brethren there. He wanted them to understand that the Holy Spirit was always there for them.
Have you ever wanted to pray and found it very hard to find the words to cover the needs in your heart? Paul says that was the same way it was with him and he knew the brethren always would come up against this problem in prayer. Paul said the Holy Spirit heals us, He can speak through our prayers and they become supernatural because the Spirit has a supernatural ministry for us to share with Him.
This ministry of the Holy Spirit is ours as we request it from Him. We know as we obtain this supernatural ministry we can rely on Him for prayer and intersession. Intersession through His supernatural ministry is far advanced than our prayers .Therefore we should want it for our own prayer time and growth in ministry. If you want a supernatural ministry from the Holy Spirit, ask Him for it today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 30
WHY ARE WE IN A HURRY
What a great question, when it seems that God is never in a hurry. Why is it we ask for something and in most cases we find ourselves in a waiting room? God always answers, in one of three ways, yes, no or wait.
"But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts." (1Th 2:4)
Waiting for God to answer prayer is the way He teaches us patience. Now with illness He can move quicker and usually does with the fervent prayer. But then there are other prayers such for ministry or tasks in the church. Paul says, “we are allowed to put our trust in the gospel."
In other words we have the privilege to serve the gospel for the glory of God. That task has to be carefully taught to us through the Holy Spirit, which once again may cause us to have to wait. God uses many areas of our Christian walk to teach us the ministry and tasks He has had planned for us from the beginning of time. He is in no hurry. We need to learn patience and perseverance to complete those plans. Wait upon the Lord and He will answer you today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAR 31
WHO REPLACED JESUS
After Jesus returned to Heaven who replaced Him here on earth? We know that the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost and He spoke through those120 that were in the upper room on that fine day. Do you think that the disciples understood that the Holy Spirit was here to replace their precious master?
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." (Joh 14:16)
Naturally the disciples missed Jesus, He was gone. They knew they would no longer be walking with from village to village, listening to every word He would say. How sad for them, and yet He made them a promise, that they would not be forgotten. That promise was kept on the day the Holy Spirit came to be with them and to comfort them during this time of loss. They had 40 days to be sad, but now they must rejoice because the power of the Holy Spirit was now on them and they had the Name of Jesus as their authority over evil.
When they received the power of the Holy Spirit ,they were joyful and thankful, and now understood that when 3000 that day repented and were ready to go back to the homes with Gospel, that Jesus was there also with His last words, ”go out and spread the Gospel." That was what was happening and should continue happening today. Jesus has not really gone, His Spirit is still here and with us, so we can be His disciples and continue His work here on earth today. Amen.
DAILY NUGGETS
For April
From Revbon
NUGGET: APR 1
BETRAYAL IS FROM HELL
Hell has many people who have turned away or never accepted Jesus, but only one betrayed Him that was Judas. He betrayed Jesus and brought disgrace to his family name.
"And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him." (Joh 13:2)
The devil had done everything he could to stop Jesus for three years. Now it looks like he will succeed to stop Him when he puts the deceit of betrayal in Judas heart. This man has been in the company of the Messiah for three years and yet he was not committed to Him, he was still living the revenge he seeks from the Roman control over the Jews. Judas believed that the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus would bring Him so much popularity that there could be a revolution of the Jews and freedom from the Romans.
Oh! What a black web the devil wove for Judas and planted that in his heart. Yet Jesus knew what was too happened, He told Judas, “Go do what you have to do.” So what is in our daily lives that because we want to compromise with the world we end up betraying our Lord, are too occupied with the world and the environment we have become pleasured by. Today we need to repent and check out our lives, to see if in any way we are betraying our Saviour. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 2
FACING TOMORROW
Sleepless nights can be the darkest kind of agony. When we know we are facing tomorrow that we have no desire to face. Perhaps at work or in school, maybe even in our family or our church.
"And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly." (Luk 22:43,44)
I know that none us have faced the tomorrow Jesus faced when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane. But that is why He faced the cross and not us. He did it for us. When we are facing a horrible tomorrow and find we cannot find peace or sleep, we need His angels; we need the Holy Spirit to comfort us. To reassure us that we will get though tomorrow and that with the Holy Spirit we will have a victorious tomorrow.
We too have angels around us; we have other Christians that will pray earnestly with us. Those dear ones are on our side and they share the agony with us. Jesus needed the company of angels and we need the company of other Christians. Perhaps you are not facing what some other dear one is facing. In that case they are in need of your prayers and your company. Wonderful, how the family in Christ, was birthed at the cross. Today you can call someone you need or call someone that needs you, because we are all family with Jesus. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 3
STRENGTH FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT
Jesus told us that He would send us a comforter, and He did, He sent us the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit is more than a comforter, he wants to strengthen us and give us power to overcome our adversaries. We know when we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit; we are being assisted with a supernatural presence.
"And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him." (Luk 22:43)
Angels are supernatural beings here on earth. Jesus has known angels from eternity from His Heavenly home. But at this time the angels were not at home, they were needed here on earth. Jesus needed them, because now Jesus was a human and in the flesh. We too are in the flesh and in need of help here on earth from our Heavenly Father. For us He sent the Holy Spirit, to live with us and in us. That also makes us supernatural to the human existence. Whatever we have to face in our lives we have the supernatural help to overcome the world. Today we have nothing to fear because we have the strength of the Holy Spirit in us. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 4
THE ENEMY OF THE CHURCH IS UNDER ARREST
Have ever seen these films where the police are going out to make an arrest of a very dangerous criminal. SWAT, police, FBI, guns, dogs, they have everything with them to catch this criminal.
"Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came with lanterns and torches and weapons." (Joh 18:3)
Did you know that Jesus was the enemy of the Jewish leaders at the time of His arrest? Look at the picture, a young man, 33 years old and His 12 friends. The young man had been a carpenter and now was a preacher, His friends were fishermen. Judas that knew them, he gets his blood money and asks for an army to arrest the preacher. Why would he want so many people to just arrest one man? Answer, he knew that Jesus was the most powerful man on the planet. And he was right. They were arresting the Son of God.
Now if you agree with me, why don’t you find this picture very strange, our beautiful Saviour, being arrested like a dangerous criminal? The Jewish leaders definitely feared God in the flesh, Jesus. They had tried so many times to trick Him and to catch Him breaking their laws. Their laws, not God’s laws. Are you following your church laws or are you following God’s laws? Today the church compromises God’s laws to fit their fleshly and financial desires. All about me and all about money that is the way so many churches operate today. Check out your church, if you follow God’s laws, will you be their enemy today? Amen.
NUGGET: APR 5
ARE YOU GULLIBLE TO GOSSIP
I don’t know about you but, I have to be very careful with gossip. At times it is right to reveal the truth about someone to protect another person, but I think that we have a bad habit of talking too much about other people.
"Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came with lanterns and torches and weapons." (Joh 18:3)
There must have been a lot of rumours and gossip about Jesus around the city. He was a preacher, a teacher, a maestro, could it be He was the Messiah or a King. Just think about all those rumours about Him. These men that came to arrest Him brought lanterns and torches, just so they could really see who this great man was. They brought weapons, weapons against a preacher, how foolish was that? They listened to Judas; he told them, “I need a band of men and soldiers with me to arrest Jesus.” These Jewish leaders did not question Judas, “Why do you need all of them?”
The leaders had tried many times to take Jesus, and He vanished from them, they wanted to be sure this time that they had enough power to take Him. How foolish again, to think they had power against the Son of God. These leaders had heard rumours, but not the right rumours, about the birth of Jesus when angels announced His birth and kings came from a far off land to honour Him. If they had heard those rumours, perhaps things would have been different.
That is the same for us we need to be more careful with our rumours, understanding the harm they can cause. Good News with the gospel is the best gossip to put out among your friends and neighbours, hoping that today they are gullible for your gossip on Jesus. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 6
KISS OF DEATH
Have you ever felt like someone you loved has given you a kiss that in time you recognized it to be very dangerous for you? We have a very well known comment for a kiss like that, “Judas Kiss.”
"And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goes straightway to him, and said, Master, master; and kissed him." (Mar 14:44-45)
I am sure you were devastated when you were treated so badly, how do you think Jesus felt when the same friend, His disciple, was embracing Him and giving Him a kiss, so He would be arrested and executed in only two days. We know Judas was deceived by the devil, concerning his task as the treasurer for Jesus' financial affairs. He was probably embezzling from Jesus' accounts. That might be the reason for the “thirty pieces of silver” he acquired from the Jewish leaders, to make up for his stealing. We know he wasn’t aware of their ultimate plan for Jesus.
He was a thief to start with, so he was the best target for the devil to use to remove Jesus for good. Jesus was a victim of Judas's kiss. I hope you have never been betrayed by someone you worked with or a friend. Maybe they did not kiss you good-bye, but their betrayal felt the same as a kiss of death. Judas was not a true friend to Jesus; perhaps that is what you have also recognized with someone. True friendship is honesty, when we are honest with our friends or loved ones we find out just what our friendship is worth to them. Today is a new day for discovering the worth of your friendships. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 7
SUBMITTING TO AUTHORITY
Are you easily willing to listen and learn from others? Submitting to authority over your position is not always a comfort zone for each of us. In fact many times we might find that submission is very uncomfortable for us.
"And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goes straightway to him, and said, Master, master; and kissed him." (Mar 14:44-45)
So Judas was given a task to care for the accounts of Jesus. Did that make him arrogant? Was he jealous of the attention that Jesus gave to Peter and John? How could he take it on himself to decide Jesus' future in Jerusalem during the Passover? He was a disciple, but he did not truly respect Jesus authority over him.
If we are learning from a teacher, he is in the place of authority over us during the time we are his student or disciple. We may not always be in complete agreement with our teacher, but we are with him to learn from him and submit to his leadership during our time with him. Judas was not such a student or disciple. He thought himself higher than the authority of Jesus. How about us, are we still in the process of learning from others in authority? Is today a good day for us to be more submissive to someone we can learn from, and to submit to others authority? Amen.
NUGGET: APR 8
POWER FROM THE GREAT I AM
We know that Jesus is the great, "I AM.” That has been His identity since the day Moses met God in the burning bush on Mount Horeb.
"Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek you? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground." (Joh 18:4-6)
Let us look at the picture of Judas with an army with him charging up to the Garden of Gethsemane to make an arrest of a preacher. First Judas goes up to Jesus giving Him a kiss and saying, “Master.” Jesus steps forward asking the soldier, “Who are you looking for?” The soldier replies, “Jesus of Nazareth.” He should not have said that, because Jesus replied “I AM.”
I got this picture of all the army falling over like dominos lined up, supernatural power of the Son of God, knocked them all flat. Now that was the power of Jesus' authority. We may not have an army against us, but we may have an illness or a financial problem or, maybe a relationship problem that is like nothing we can overcome. If we have that same Holy Spirit in us that Jesus promised us, we have that same authority and power that He had over the Roman army. When we are facing our problems we can use the ”Name of Jesus” to overcome them, He is "the great I AM” yesterday, today and forever. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 9
SINCE WHEN WAS PETER PATIENT
Peter was spontaneous; he was always jumping in without thinking ahead. He would speak out of turn and act before contemplating the results of his actions.
"When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear." (Luk 22:49-50)
The great saint, Peter, was a “hothead.” Jesus did not suggest violence at His arrest. But our hot-headed Peter in his spontaneous character pulls a sword and strikes the servant Malchus. Of course Jesus corrects the problem Peter has caused, and heals the servant’s ear. In other words Peter made a mistake and Jesus fixed it.
Even to the last miracle in His ministry before the cross He healed His enemy’s ear. I know we are far from perfect, I daily make mistakes. I am a new born-again Christian, therefore when I make a mistake, I ask repentance, ”Father I come to You, through the Holy Spirit in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness for my words, my thoughts and my actions today.” What is so wonderful is when I ask from my heart I am forgiven. With my wrong, foolish, spontaneous words and actions, I can come to Jesus and ask Him to give me another chance; I truly want to please Him. Perhaps you too need to ask Jesus today for another chance. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 10
A FRIEND NEEDS HELP
Do you have friend that needs help? Are you praying for someone that needs help in a situation that seems out of control? Are you able to help them even if it may cost you your time, energy, or maybe more?
"When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer you thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him." (Luk 22:49-51)
Jesus could have left Peter facing criminal charges, for pulling out a sword and attacking the servant of Caiaphas. But Peter was His friend and He would not let His friend stay in that kind of difficulty. Jesus made everything right for the servant, healing his ear. What a friend Peter had in Jesus, and what a friend we have in Him also.
So we know what Jesus does for His friends which is a perfect example of what we should do for our friends, always show them our love. The next time your friend is in need, can you put yourself out of the picture putting them in the picture and concentrating on their needs first.
This is the example Jesus gives us, and yet not an easy example to follow. Sometimes your friend’s needs are their own fault, why should we help them? We should follow Jesus example, when He helped Peter, after making a mess of his life, facing prison. Perhaps you have a friend you could call today and help them also. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 11
SUPERNATURAL ANGELS
You are aware that you have angels around you, right? How many times in the week could point out ”that must have been angel”? For myself I see them in action every day I leave the house. In other words they are there when and if I need them.
"Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Mat 26:53)
I believe if I needed a legion of angels I too can pray for them. Fortunately I have never been in such a dangerous situation where I needed that much help. Jesus was in a very bad condition on the cross, but He did not call for help. Angels had ministered to Him earlier at the Garden where He was in agony processing what was going to happen to Him. There He needed comforting and the presence of supernatural friends.
I think a good message today is “don’t try it yourself, ask the Lord.” We could never take on the cross of Jesus as He did. But we do bare small crosses in our lives. We have the love and grace, the help we need to carry our crosses is there for us, we only need to pray. Why do we always want to process our situations and problems, before bringing them to cross, where we can unload them forever?
Back to our supernatural friends, angels, you see they are also our friends because we too are natural citizens of Heaven. Born-again here on earth through the precious blood of Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. That is why we Christians are supernatural on this planet. We are not bound to live according to the world’s rules; we are free to live to God’s rules. Today when you think about supernatural angels, give thanks to the Lord, because He has them all around you. Praise the Lord, Amen.
NUGGET: APR 12
AN ACCOUNT OF HIS POWER IN THE GARDEN
When you read the four gospels you have a picture through many healings and resurrections of the dead. If you counted them, I am sure I could count one more than you.
"And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked." (Mar 14:51-52)
This young was following Jesus because he wanted to know who had resurrected him from his tomb. Oh yes, this young man had been dead. How did this happen? Jesus stated “I AM” in the garden when He spoke to the Roman soldier. Then everyone fell flat, it was the power of Jesus that knocked them flat, and shook the graveyard at the foot of the garden. His power resurrected this young man from his tomb. The young man was naked after losing his linen cloth, which he was buried in. He was naked because at his burial he was cleaned, and was naked and wrapped in a linen cloth, that was only used for burials.
This is surely an account of the supernatural power of the Son of God, “I AM.” By the very words of Jesus, He told us that even greater works than what He had done on earth were for us to do in His Name and in His authority. Today is a new day for us to be what God wants us to be, and to do what God wants us to do. Today we can, because we have the same power through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 13
DISGRACING THE KING OF KINGS
Have you ever seen the police arrest someone? There is no dignity in being arrested by the authorities.
"And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled." (Mat 26:57)
What a picture we have in the garden that night. First Judas's betrayal with a kiss, then all the soldiers laying flat on the ground, and Jesus healing the servants ear. At last with Jesus just standing there while all the army gets to their feet, throwing a noose around Jesus' neck and binding His hands, leading Him out of the garden and down main street, ”like a lamb to slaughter." No dignity, no honour to the King of Kings. Isaiah gives us a verse about this disgraceful arrest.
"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter." (Isa 53:7)
Now we know that Jesus was filling prophecy, as far back as Abraham, because this has always been God’s plan for salvation. So how are we when we are persecuted for Christ? Do we get angry; think we are being unjustly accused? Can you and I fill God’s plan for our lives with thanksgiving? Can we sing, “Thank You Jesus for the Cross,” when we are burdened with our own cross? On a scale 1 to 10, I think I might reach 5 half way. I want my dignity, I want my respect, and I want my justice. How many “I’s” are here, no concern about what God wants. I am disgracing Jesus by not listening to what God wants. Please Lord help me today, to listen, learn and obey to honour our King of Kings. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 14
THEY HATED SO MUCH THEY COULD SPIT
I have never spit on anyone except on the TV. I see things on the news that make me want to spit on those people. I am completely normal when I get that angry with a news-clip. I don’t hate the people, I just hate what they are saying, or doing, or supporting. I am completely normal with my feelings for them as I disagree 100%, to the point that I could spit on them.
"Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands." (Mat 26:67)
If I was facing these newscasters, I would be furious, but I wouldn’t spit on them. I don’t really know where my breaking point would be, to spit on another person. Only the devil and all the evil he could bring forward to Caiaphas's house and make these Jewish leaders spit and hit Jesus in the face. What an evil act from the devil. Those actions were physical actions against Jesus.
Today the world is using spiritual attacks on Him. Not only on the news do we hear what is happening to God’s people, but just leaving home we encountered spiritual spits and hits on Christians. Christianity is always a target for the world to aim at. Our precious Saviour took it all; He took it all for us. Today we have to be aware that there are those out there who still want to hurt Jesus and they also want to hurt us, because we love Him. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 15
HE WAS MORE THAN A PROPHET
We know that Jesus is the Son of God who gave His life on a wooden cross to pay the debt of sin for all mankind, and rose from a tomb three days after His burial. He is Lord and our Saviour. That is who Jesus is and was and forever will be for us.
"And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?" (Luk 22:64)
Three years Jesus was travelling and teaching, where all the Jewish leaders were following Him and trying to establish a trap to prove He was a fake. The problem with their strategy was they knew He was not a fake. They knew He healed the sick and raised the dead; He gave sight to the blind and provided a meal for at least 4000 men twice.
They couldn’t deny to themselves who He was, but they could lie to the public. They knew He was more than a prophet, so why would they say to Him “prophecy” when only an hour before they were all flat on the ground with His power. How stupid they were and how full of evil they were with their games. There are still religious leaders in the world that only call Jesus a prophet. Today our task is to spread the gospel, which tells the world He was a lot more that a prophet. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 16
TRUST IN GOD
Have you ever followed God’s plan for you, and got in a lot of trouble? I mean you find yourself in a situation that only a miracle can get you out of.
"And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor." (Mat 27:2)
Jesus was born to complete God’s plan of salvation. Everything Jesus did was designed by God. All the goodness was planned by God, and yet, He was bound, with a noose around His neck and drawn down the street like an animal, an animal on the way to his death. The Lamb of God was led like a lamb to slaughter.
What was Jesus doing through all this, remember He had already told God, “Not my will, but Yours will be done,” in other words Jesus was trusting God. This was a disgrace for the King of Kings, a tragedy for the Son of God and death for our Saviour on the cross, and through it all He was trusting God. He even trusted God to resurrect Him from the tomb. Today is a great day to say to the Lord, “I trust you, with my family, my home, my work, my church and ministry, I trust You Jesus.“ Amen.
NUGGET: APR 17
PASSING THE BUCK
When you have to take responsibility for something you don’t want, what do you do? Do you try to get out of it? Do you look around for someone to pass it on to, graciously, so you won’t look so bad?
"When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time." (Luk 23:6-7)
Pilate did not want to take responsibility for Jesus' court case, so he found a way to ”pass the buck.” Fortunately Herod was in town and could take the task of Jesus's arrest. But it didn’t go how Pilate had planned. Pilate didn’t want to crucify Jesus, but the power was out of his hands. Jesus told him, ”You have no power that was not given to you from above, from God.” The Sanhedrin wanted Jesus out of the way permanently. Jesus was passed three times to very responsible Heads of State, but no one wanted to take the responsibility of His crucifixion. The final result was Pilate passing it again, by just washing his hands of all responsibility.
When God calls you to do something, do you look for a way to pass the buck? The final countdown was that Pilate had to make a decision. He did everything within the law to get out of his responsibility as governor, a Roman procurator. Is there something in your life today concerning a responsibly that you would like to pass on to someone else? Whatever it is, you had better be sure that it didn’t come from God. Pilate received his responsibility from God, no matter how he tried to pass it on, it came back and he had to take his task seriously. Are you struggling with something God has given you? Don’t waste time trying to “pass the buck,” get on with it and take your responsibility. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 18
ANTICIPATING A NEW INTRODUCTION
Have you ever been excited about meeting someone very well known? Perhaps you are getting the opportunity to meet a high up official or a world known evangelists or preacher, and you are anticipating this introduction.
"And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him." (Luk 23:8)
I would be very excited I think if, “out of the blue,” I was told a very well known preacher was coming to my house. I would have taken into account who he is and why is he so famous, has he done anything that made him famous? In other words there must be some sort of history on this preacher, and since he is coming to my house I want to know his history.
Herod thought the same as I do, except, my thinking is positive and his was negative. This Herod‘s name was Antipas, which in Greek means, “one who is against everything and everyone.” Jesus knew the attitude of this negative high official. Naturally his position as a Governor did not phase Jesus, because He is a King. Jesus was not there in this man’s house to entertain him, Jesus was there appointed of God. As a result of Jesus ignoring Herod’s request to see a miracle the other Jewish leaders went into a frenzy, “You are a fake, no miracles, you’re a fake.” They shouted so this was no casual encounter in Herod’s house that evening. Jesus is with His Father in Heaven today, but because I have not seen him in the flesh, has not changed my faith in Him.
I have a complete history book on His life that I can refer to everyday. I have faith in a man; the Son of God, whom I have never shook hands with. My anticipation for an introduction with Him is increasing daily. Wow one day I will see Him and many others I love. I have no doubt, because in 1975 I committed my life to Him, and that has never changed, so one day I will see Him. Have you the same feeling with the same anticipation for that introduction to see Him as I do? Have you committed your life Him, today so you will see Him someday? Amen.
NUGGET: APR 19
EXCESSIVE MISTREATMENT
Have you ever been mistreated? So many forms of mistreatment can happen to us. There is physical, mental and spiritual mistreatment.
"And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate." (Luk 23:11)
Jesus was so mistreated by those malicious Roman soldiers, that mistreatment was physical, mental and spiritual, surely any normal man would have been broken with that treatment, but not Jesus, He only had His eyes directed to Calvary. Herod orders that they place a royal robe on Him and later they tortured Him by placing a crown of thorns on His head. What fools they all were mistreating the great ”I AM,” the true King of the Jews.
Anyone who mistreats another person is a fool, and perhaps manifesting evil. These Roman’s were manifesting evil, but only a far as God would allow, nothing was to distract Jesus from the cross, that God had planned from the day of creation. There are those that mistreat Christians today also. My family and I have gone through mental and spiritual mistreatment back in the 90’s. Then our children were mistreated at their school and our car was stolen and wrecked, we were all mocked because we were known as Christian’s, not Catholic’s. All this mistreatment we went through only reminded us of our Lord and His mistreatment. If you feel someone had excessive mistreated you because you are following Christ, just thank Him today that you are not alone. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 20
NO FAULT IN HIM
I am full of faults and maybe you are also. I wonder what it would be like, thinking I am perfect, I have no faults.
"Said unto them, You have brought this man unto me, as one that perverts the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof you accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him. (Luk 23:14-16)
Jesus was standing in front of a court being accused of crimes that He was not guilty of, He was absolutely not guilty. He was being passed to the houses of three high officials, found not guilty, but still a prisoner. Herod with his evil streak mocked Him and abused Him, Pilate to please the Jews tortured Him and beat Him, and all this did not please these evil Jewish leaders. They wanted him dead. He was led to the cross to fill God’s plan for salvation, God’s Son was to die as a guilty man for sin. Jesus had no debt; He paid our debt in full on the cross.
I consider chastise as a thing that is done to someone that has done something wrong, He had done nothing wrong, He was, is and always will be perfect. There is no fault in Jesus, but we need Him to correct the faults in us today. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 21
HEALING AT THE SOUND OF A WHIP
I am speechless and shake a little when I read the suffering my Saviour went through for me. I know that Jesus was a man of flesh, and that He was so beaten that Mary could not look at Him, she was broken at the cross. Therefore Jesus gave her a new son, His disciple John, to care for her. The results of the Roman scourging only left half a man. His body was ripped to shreds, losing blood and liquids, so His blood pressure was dropping constantly. Few men lived long enough through the scourging to go to the crucifixion.
When I look at my life, what have I ever done that would cost another person their life. I never thought of myself so bad. Although I believe the Word of God, and know there was no worth in me before I came to Jesus, and repented for my sins. Sins I might have not even remembered but still wanted God to forget. Jesus body was broken, so that mine can stay healthy. I don’t have to have illness or pain, He had that for me, and I am whole and healed because of Jesus. I don’t know about you, but I can never stop giving thanks to Him. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 22
MOCKED AND EXPOSED HIS NAKEDNESS
Can there be anything less dignified than a person being stripped to nakedness?
"Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!" (Mat 27: 27-29)
It says Pilate’s soldiers that numbered 300-600 were in his courtyard which was very public; they were mocking Jesus, as He was dying. Remember they had just beaten him and now His body was bleeding and blood pressure dropping, He was dying. When I think of these evil monsters in the presence of Jesus, and having control over Him, I shudder. I know His gentleness, His kindness, and love and now in a courtyard dying at the foot of these monsters. They stripped Him of His garments and looked upon a naked man, but they never really saw Jesus the Lamb of God, who was there to take away the sins of the world.
If they had known who they were dealing with, they would have bowed flat on their faces before Him. They had forgotten that is where they were, two nights before in the garden with Him, flat on their backs with no power within themselves. These evil minded men will actually bow before Him in the future and will not hail Him, “King of the Jews,“ but they will declare Him, “King of Kings.”
I know from the TV and newspapers that there are such evil men today also. They too will bow to Jesus in the future, and hail Him as Lord. Christian believers have gotten the first opportunity to be with Him, but I am concerned about my loved ones that don’t believe in Him. I am concerned of their future after death. I am sure you also have loved ones that you are concerned about also. Perhaps you should talk with them today. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 23
THE FIRST SINNER AND US PAID FOR
Matthew wanted to show the Jewish belief about where Jesus was crucified. First, he names the Libyan man who the soldiers demanded to carry Christ’s cross. This was just feedback from the activities of that Memorial Day.
"And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull." (Mat 27:32-33)
There is a Jewish tradition about Golgotha; I think that is why Matthew brought up these verses. This story is amazing when you think it may be true. They believe that this place, Golgotha, is where Noah’s son Shem buried Adam’s skull just outside of Jerusalem and that the High Priest, Melchizedek had this place continually guarded.
Another part is what the Christian Jews believe that as Christ was on the cross there was an earthquake and the place of the skull opened and Christ’s blood dripped down to Adam’s skull under the rock. Perhaps you are thinking what has that got to do with my salvation, or God’s plan of salvation? Well Adam, being the first sinner after creation was being washed by the blood of Christ on the hill of Golgotha. In other words the 2nd Adam’s blood is cleansing the 1st Adam’s sins. Could this story be possibility true, if so it is amazing, but not as amazing as Christ‘s blood cleansed our sins. Perhaps you could tell this story to someone that does not believe in salvation. You can tell them how thankful you are for Jesus and the cross. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 24
AT THE CROSS
The crucifixion on a cross was the worst barbaric act of torture the Romans had to bring anxiety and fear among the public to keep them from committing crimes against the Roman Empire.
"And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him." (Mat 27:34-35)
The Romans had women make up a mixture of wine and a painkiller (gall) that was given to victims of the cross to make it easier with their dying and hanging there. Jesus had said to His Father in the Garden, ”Please take this cup from me.” But the cup of the cross and His sanctification was not taken from Him by the Father; there was a cause that was greater than any cause in history of the world before.
He was hanging there. He refused the painkiller, because He was dying, for you and me. He was hanging on the cross for you and me. His pain was for our healing. His death was for the cost of cleansing sin from mankind and paying the price of the blood of the unblemished Lamb of God. The hours He hung there with all the pain was for us. The agony He endured was for us. How can I make clearer on paper? The blood of this “Passover Lamb” was dripping from His body for the salvation of mankind. What more can I share with you, except to ask you, “Is Jesus your Saviour?" Amen.
NUGGET: APR 25
THE HOLY OF HOLIES NO LONGER HOLY
The Holy of Holies was only open to Caiaphas the High Priest in Jerusalem. Pilate was the governor of Romans and Caiaphas the governor of the Jews, who sent Jesus to execution. He did not go out of the temple to see Jesus die on the cross. So he couldn’t have heard Jesus words on the cross. He hated Jesus and he hated Pilate for placing a sign “King of the Jews” over Jesus head on the cross. Caiaphas thought he was safe in his sanctuary in the temple until the earth began to shake, and his world as he knew it was over.
"And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." (Mat 27:51)
We all know what an earthquake is, and have seen on the TV what it can do. The day that Jesus died there was an earthquake, because the earth was mourning His death. There were many unbelievable occurrences that day. Graves were opened and the dead were resurrected.
That must have been an amazing sight, but what was God’s best plan? Moses' law, with the temple, had now disgraced the Lord. No, the High Priest sitting on his glorious chair will witness who is Holy and who is the only High Priest? Jesus is in the eyes of God. The very curtain that divides the status of men in the temple was ripped top to bottom. There was no more division between the Pharisee and the Publican. The ultimate sacrifice had been made; the ultimate price for sin had been paid. Do you believe that? Do you believe that Christ died on the cross for you? I repent everyday as I come to Lord giving Him thanks for Jesus and His sacrifice for me. Do you also repent and thank Him? Amen.
NUGGET: APR 26
HOW CLOSE ARE YOUR FRIENDS
After Jesus death came two of His friends that never stayed with Him or travelled with Him, in fact they were secret friends.
"And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury." (Joh 19:38-40)
There were many of Jesus' friends mentioned or told of in the four gospels, only once did we hear of a Pharisee wanting to be near Jesus. Perhaps you remember Nicodemus (Joh 3:1) he wants to see Jesus in secret. No wonder he want to see Him secretly, Nicodemus was in the Sanhedrin. He would have been in big trouble if he was exposed to the Sanhedrin as a follower of Jesus.
Nicodemus also had a friend in the Sanhedrim that secretly also was listening to Jesus' teaching and he had a longing for the Kingdom of God. These two are the ones that step forward to Pilate and request Jesus' body. Of course they were both very wealthy and had their own properties, including their own tombs in very lovely places. Not only did they ask for the body, but they already had the expensive mixtures that the wealthy were anointed with for burial. When they got the body they prepared it in the best of linen and spices.
All this was very strange for Pilate because those that died on across were just discarded and never were buried. They were concerned enemies of the Roman Empire. We don’t need a lot of friends to find the ones that would be with us to the end. On the other hand, we need to look at ourselves and what kind of friend are we to those we know? Are we the kind of friend praying for them, the kind of friend that believes in them and will stand by them, (thick and thin)? Take a look at your friendships today, which ones are close, and are you their best friend? Amen.
NUGGET: APR 27
RICH MAN'S GRAVE
We know that Jesus’ body was laid the grave of a rich man.
"Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand." (Joh 19:41-42)
All those days of suffering Jesus endured started in a garden and the end of His suffering also was in a garden. The Garden of Gethsemane was where Jesus was in agony knowing what was in His future and in the other garden Jesus is in peace awaiting His Father’s presence in the tomb. This tomb had recently been dug out of the rock and was the property of a rich man that was very devoted to Jesus in secret. I wonder what the others in the Sanhedrin said when they found out what Joseph of Arimathea had done, requesting Jesus’ body and laying it in His sepulchre in his garden.
There were many legal things that must take place to have Jesus buried in his sepulchre. First they must legally receive the corpse from the Roman governor Pilate. Then the Sanhedrin insisted the tomb be sealed with the Roman sealing and a large stone be placed at the entrance of the sepulchre. On top of all that the Jews requested Roman soldiers to guard the garden, and everyone of authority in the Jewish court must checked to see that Jesus is dead at His burial. All this was OK with God because this security only made the amazing Sunday morning even more amazing for the Romans and the Jews had no explanation for the body of Jesus missing that morning. God is so amazing, don’t you agree? I gave my life to Christ in 1975 and from that year to this God has amazed me with His protection, His provision, and His love. I am sure you can say the same. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 28
WHO GOT PAST THE GUARDS?
That night four Roman guards were watching one tomb. There they were with a little campfire in the garden just to keep them warm throughout the night while they were on watch. Who got past four guards on night watch?
"And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it." (Mat 28:2)
The guards were waiting to see if anyone was going to try to steal the body of Jesus. So that peaceful night was a night these guards will never forget. First the earthquake to quickly wake them all, then the sight of an angel sitting on the stone made them so fearful they all fled from the garden. This angel must have been very large. Matthew says when they saw him they shook and were stiff with fear, they panicked and ran. Perhaps they also saw Jesus resurrecting out of the tomb.
How strange when the women came to the tomb knowing nothing of the occurrence that night, they were not frightened, they just went in and didn’t find Him. They were confused, first the stone is lying on ground and the entrance is open, then they see two angels and ask where Jesus is. He is raised; He is raised that is the good news of that day. That is the good news today also. Amen.
NUGGET: APR 29
THEY HAD TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES
Are you the kind of person that wants to see for yourself if what you heard can be true?
Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre." (Joh 20:3-4)
Bless his heart, John is writing this and yet in humility he does not say I was there. He backs up and calls himself “the other disciple.” Peter started out to see what has happened, this woman chatting about the tomb is empty, and he had to see for himself. Peter and John take off to the garden. Well I understand John being a young man was running faster than Peter. But I wonder if Peter is having second thoughts about facing Jesus. He denied Him 3 times the night He was taken. Jesus told Peter He was going to build His church with Peter. Therefore they must meet again and Peter must be free of his guilt.
I too many times must be free of a guilty feeling when I have done something wrong. I am so fortunate to have my prayer time so I can repent and start over free and faithful. I make it a number one task in the morning “repent and give thanks”. Have you tried that today? Amen.
NUGGET: APR 30
THEY ALL WENT HOME BUT MARY
The women had told the disciples what they had seen, and then the disciples went to see themselves what had happened to Jesus. After observing everything and not finding anything they all went home, except one woman.
"But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeing two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why are you weeping?" (Joh 20:11-13)
Mary Magdalene followed the men hoping to find out what had happened to Jesus. With no answers the group all left, but not Mary. She could not believe Jesus was gone. As normal when your heart is broken she was crying. She was not afraid to enter the tomb, she was Jewish and Jews were not to touch a corpse. She went in looking for Him and instead, she meet with messengers from God. They were angles and she wanted to know where Jesus was. While she is crying they tell her “He is not here, He is raised” She must have just turned around leaving the tomb when she saw a man, she thought to be the gardener, and asked him also.
What I love about his morning was how His voice must have made her heart jump with joy! You remember Jesus said you will recognize the shepherd’s voice. She needed more and He called her by name “Mary” immediately she wanted to hug Him, but it was not possible that first morning. I love people that are now in Heaven, and I don’t know whether I would be afraid or at peace if I saw them again here on earth. But I know I will be very happy when one day I see them in Heaven. Are you too looking forward today, to see those you love once again, in Heaven? Amen.
DAILY NUGGETS
For May
From Revbon
NUGGET: MAY 1
HE APPEARED AND DISAPPEARED
There are many accounts of Jesus visiting with as many as 500 followers during the 40 days He was on earth after the resurrection.
With Mary (Joh 20:14-17) and two disciples, I believe they were man and wife on their way to Emmaus (Luk 24:13-31), then other verses where Jesus appeared through a locked door (Joh 20:19) also as we know He appeared on the shore frying fish for the disciples (Joh 21:2-7). All of these appearances and disappearances are recorded in the Bible.
"After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God." (Act 1:3)
There are accounts of Jesus sitting and eating with His followers. Yes He was in a glorified body, but He still was a man not a spirit. How wonderful to know that Jesus’ appearances were recorded and all of them could be accounted for by eyewitnesses. He is coming back that also is true the 500 followers heard the angles tell them He will return soon. Paul spoke to some of them that were there the day Jesus ascended to the Father.
"After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep." (1Co 15:6)
He is now here with us through the Holy Spirit; the Comforter He promised He would send after He left. His Holy Spirit is with us every day and we can trust Him and rely on Him as the disciples did with Jesus on earth.
"And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."" (Joh 20:22)
Today is the day to live with Him. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 2
A GREAT ROOMMATE
What is it like to live with the Holy Spirit?
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2Ti 3:16)
The Holy Spirit is the one who teaches the doctrine, corrects us and instructs us in righteousness. The closer we get to Him the better our Christian life will be. In our home and wherever we are the power of the Holy Spirit is with us. That source of power is for us that have surrendered all to Christ. When we have the ability to use that power we must do so. The power for healing, deliverance and for prosperity. Our connection with that power is our obedience and faith. Our obedience is staying focused on Jesus and our faith trusts Him. How are we doing in those areas today? I hope improving each day with our Holy roommate Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 3
THE GOOD SOLDIER
Being a good soldier definitely has afflictions, it is no easy job.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" (2Ti 4:7)
Paul was a good soldier for Christ. What he faced when he joined the army for Jesus there on the road to Damascus, would have broken most of us, but not Paul. He had seen Jesus there on that road, and never took his eyes off Him. If we want to follow in his footsteps and also become a good Christian soldier we must accept that there will be some problems in our life. We have a goal, and stay on our course, so it will be reached, with keeping the faith in our Saviour Jesus. He is our General and King, keeping faith in Him will strengthen our faith in the cross.
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2Ti 4:8)
All soldiers want to be recognized by their commanders. They gladly receive honours for their services. We too are promised recognition from the Lord our King when our fight is over and our course is run. We will be called in front of Him and rewarded for our loyalty and faith in our cause that we fought for our King and His Kingdom. All true Christian soldiers have risen today to be bold and spread the gospel of truth for Jesus. Let us be a good soldier and live, love and work for King Jesus today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 4
IS, WAS AND FOREVER WILL BE
Sadly in some countries they still don’t know Jesus. They don’t know that He lives.
"That in everything you are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge." (1Co 1:5)
Born again Christians are so blessed with Holy Spirit if only they will receive all the gifts that are available for them. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the greatest of them because of the constant companionship He has with us. To be able to at all times rely on your companion for His leadership and knowledge is a relief from the pressures of this world.
"Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you." (1Co 1:6)
We have our tests in this world, but at the same time we have our testimonies, and Christ in us is our greatest testimony for the world to see. He lives and He lives in us. He was on earth, is in Heaven and lives for evermore in His children. Are we living for Him today? Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 5
QUICKENED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
There is no doubt our life on earth is constantly plagued with problems.
"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you." (Rom 8:11)
This verse in Romans is great news for the New Born Christian. With all the sickness and infirmities that we are faced everyday with our family and loved ones, we have the living Christ to heal us. The weakness in our bodies does not have to control our lives, we have the Holy Spirit to strengthen us and revitalize us. Flu season has no power over us; cancer has no power over us etc., because we are filled with life from the blood at Calvary. As long as we focus on the cross we will be quickened by the Holy Spirit. We have supernatural power through the Holy Spirit and that power is in us. The power that is within us is the power that we call upon to quicken us today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 6
DELIEVERANCE FROM DISCOURAGEMENT
Sometimes when we are serving the Lord, we are empting ourselves for others needs, but we are not receiving anything back from others, this causes discouragement.
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works." (Heb 10:24)
Discouragement is at times hidden with hugs and smiles, but actually that person has a hurting heart. Loneliness is so often the root of discouragement and depression. In so many cases a sister or brother in the church suffers from extreme loneliness and depression, with no obvious sign to others in the church, because it is well covered up with a willing heart to serve. These Christians reveal such faith in the Lord, and partake in all they can with groups in the church, which portrays enthusiasm, but in truth it is a painful false confidence that they hang on to for survival. The devil causes these Christian to feel isolated and secluded, and because of what others think of how confident these Christians are no one reaches out to them with encouragement so, discouragement takes root and grows to depression. Now depression is a spiritual condition that needs healing. If each sister and brother in the church asks in prayer for a revelation from the Holy Spirit, of who around them is in need of encouragement and an extended hand of love and fellowship, only through prayer and the Holy Spirit can there be deliverance and strongholds broken to heal these broken hearts and lonely spiritual conditions. Paul tells us “let us consider one another.” Is there someone the Holy Spirit has told you about, and you need to contact them and extend a hand of love to them today? Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 7
FAITH AND WORDS CONNECTED
Each of us want a strong faith and as our faith grows our words get stronger.
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.)" (Heb 10:23)
How can others know we are faithful? They know because they hear what we say and what we confess. Paul tells us to “hold fast“ onto our faith. Where do we get the boldness to tell other of Jesus, from our faith? The words that come out of our mouths can only honour God if they are from the Holy Spirit, who we have faith in. Repeating others confessions to build up our faith is quite OK, but to copy others confessions to build up our outward appearance as a Christian is not OK. We have the privilege of sharing the Holy Spirit through us to others loving the Lord. That sharing strengthens our faith. The recognition of full agreement with God’s Word is how our faith is nourished and how our words are strong and honour the Lord. Faith and words are connected with any true believer. Is your faith growing and your words confessing Jesus today? Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 8
BUT THEY WERE NASTY
It is not easy, even for a Christian to be nice to people that are nasty.
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient," (2Ti 2:24)
Paul convicts us in this verse. Quickly he tells us, to be gentle. I presume he means “don’t lose your temper.” All the words he uses refer to gentleness. ”Do not strive” which means, take at easy, be calm and be patient. All the “do not’s” are connected. But one thing stands out, that is different that the “do not’s” that is “apt to teach.” Does Paul mean we are to teach, love, kindness and gentleness to nasty people? Nasty people are not any of those things. If we are patient with them we would not lose our temper or use bad language. Therefore we would be gentle with them. When we are patient and gentle we are also less stressed and would not strive with them. So what Paul is telling us with a strong conviction is, “If we are servants to the Lord” we will be calm, patient and gentle when we face those nasty people? Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 9
ALL THE ESSENTIALS YOU NEED
When a Roman soldier was dressed in armour he had everything he needed hanging on his belt, so his hands were free to fight.
"Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Eph 6:11)
Paul was in prison many years and was able to observe the Roman soldiers and how they dressed. He was able to design a picture for us of God’s armour. With God’s armour we to will have all the essentials we need to stand against our enemy and provide for our needs. A quick look at his armour for us, first a ”belt of truth” which is the Word. The Word of God provides for us daily. The “breastplate of righteousness” provides full protection over our heart. We must have heavy shoes which is the gospel being spread as we walk with Christ. Also hanging from our belt is the “shield of faith”, which we can reach for in a minute. One essential piece for a good soldier is his sword which is the Holy Spirit for a Christian. At lasts the helmet, where could we go, if we are not protected by the ”helmet of salvation.” When we get dressed with God’s armour in the morning, to be prepared to meet the enemy, we will have a blessed day. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 10
IT WAS THE DEVIL
How many times have heard or you have thought, “Satan did it.”
"And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Php 4:7)
We cannot always understand how the devil sneaks into our thoughts and words. Wow! How we regret letting him get the upper hand on us. Paul knew so well how the human condition can become so weak that we fail to see the enemy closing in on us. We get stressful when things go wrong. Our stressful condition can cause us anger and fear. We need God’s peace, the peace Paul speaks of, a peace that is above our understanding. That peace comes from the flow of the Holy Spirit that drives away Satan and all fear. When our hearts and minds are at peace we are covered, and no evil can enter in. The blood of Christ on the cross, covers our infirmities, covers our anxiety and all our fears. Peace from Christ strengthens our faith and our testimonies. That precious peace is for us now, and the power of that peace, rebukes the devil today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 11
WHERE CAN YOU DROP A LOAD OF CARES
There is only one that was designed to carry our cares.
"Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you." (1Pe 5:7)
Wow! What a relief to know all the problems that creep up on my life during the week, I can unload at the cross. Isn’t that what Peter meant when he said, ”casting your cares on Him?” We all like the idea of not having to face difficulties and to slip out from under unpleasant conditions.
Have ever seen those ads, “We can help you, call us, we want to free you from your problem etc..” So when we see them we hope they can be an answer for us. There is one thing about these ads they don’t tell, “Why” they want to help. That is why I like what Peter said “for He cares for you.” I am more joyful when someone that loves me wants to help me. This person I can trust because He loves me, this person, and this person I can talk with, because He loves me. Oh, yes, if I am going to unload my burdens, I want to do it with someone that cares for me, and wants to help me, not just for themselves. If they care about me they also care about my needs and a solution to my problems. We don’t have to struggle with our burdens today; we can carry them to Jesus and leave them at the foot of His cross. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 12
THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT
How many times have we said something, and found out later it was taken the wrong way, “That is not what I meant.” Or how many times have we taken something said wrong and felt offended.
"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come:" (Luk 17:1)
The way I read this verse is, that mankind has a problem watching everything they say. My tongue gets me into trouble at times. I may not like it, but repentance is the only way to heal my misguided tongue. So that’s me, that is my redemption, ”ask for forgiveness.” There is another kind of offence also. That is when “I” am offended. Luke has an answer to that also.
"Take heed to yourselves: If your brother trespass against you, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to you, saying, I repent; you shall forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith." (Luk 17:3-5)
I know of sisters and brothers in the church that have told me, “You don’t know what they have said nor done, I cannot forgive them.” If they have repented we must forgive them. On the other hand asking forgiveness can be hard, but forgiving is even harder. When we examine our emotions, forgiving is one of the hardest thing to do in any relationship. Can we forgive if they have not repented? Oh yes! Our forgiving heart is not dependant on our goodness, it is dependent on Christ forgiving us. Our forgiveness begins at the cross, therefore, we pray, "Increase our faith." Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 13
OUR TRANSFORMATION
When you gave your life to Christ, did you look in the mirror to see if anything was different?
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2Co 5:17)
Everyone comes to Christ differently. You may think that the same thing that happened to you, happens to all of us, but that's not true. Christ calls us by name and identity. So, all of us have a large bag of sins, heavy chains and a darkened past, others not so bad, but a reminder we were all born sinners. Therefore all of us are in need of an extreme transformation. Paul tells us “no problem if you are in Christ.” He tells us “if we are in Christ“ we are a new creation. We may not see in the mirror a big difference, after our surrender to Christ, but God sees it. He sees us now through Christ. He doesn’t see us lost or in bondage. He sees us through Christ, saved and free. Look in your mirror now Christ is in you, look closely what a transformation. What a new creation. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 14
DOES THE FAMILY EAT TOGETHER
I do believe that when my family was all living under the same roof, we all eat together. Papa always wanted it that way.
"One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity." (1Ti 3:4)
My husband, the father of my sons loved the dinner the table, because his sons were present. Most of the time when the boys were growing up we lived in Spain. We never put anything in our lives before family. We had work, the boys had school and play, but family first. It breaks the heart of parents when their children’s chairs are empty at the dinner table. Or one parent is missing. Timothy tells us that children need rules at home. They need rules to keep their home running smoothly. He tells us that children need a good father; he is the ruler of his house. The children need a good mother, loved and respected by their father. There are many aspects to a good home and well run house. I am grateful that prayer was said before the meal, that prayer was said before going to sleep. I am grateful that church was always attended on Sunday with the family. My husband and I did all we could to follow this verse from Timothy. I hope you too will follow this verse today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 15
FACE TO FACE
Have you ever thought it is possible to be face to face with God?
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." (Eph 6:18)
Paul was writing most of the time to the Greeks. In their language, the word “prayer” has a more profound meaning than in English.
First Paul says, ”Pray always,” then he adds, ”with all prayer,” which means, ”with all your words.” To continue he says, “and with all supplication in the Spirit,” which means ”complete surrender to the Spirit”. In other words Paul is telling us to live a life in prayer. To direct our words to God as if we are facing Him. To surrender ”with lifted hands” to the Holy Spirit as if we are giving everything of importance to us to Him. This time of intimacy with God “face to face,” will bring us into a prayer of confession with thanksgivings. All this will come from us, before we request anything from Him. This protocol of prayer, calling on the Father, through the Spirit and in the Name of Jesus will open to the Holy of Holies, where we can come to His Throne today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 16
STAND FIRM
Has God not answered all your prayers?
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.) (Heb 10:23)
God has not answered all my prayers yet. I wonder if He heard me, or if I did pray loud enough, our long enough, why didn’t He answer them? Shall I just give up with praying, or with God? Paul says I am to stand firm, to hold fast and do not waver. When Paul wrote this verse he knew the prayers of the church. He also knew the suffering of the Christians there. He wanted the church to remember God’s promises and to stand firm. To stand firm with our faith is to be in total agreement with God. Stay fixed on His Word. When we stand firm, we are standing on the devil, all his lying must stop, and we will be able to be tuned in to the truth. Straighten your back and firm you body in faith to resist the devil and his uttering’s today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 17
WHEN DO YOU LIGHT UP
How many times we use a comment, “Oh yeah! The light just went on.”
"But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions." (Heb 10:32)
When something comes to our mind it's like someone turned on the light and we have a perfect answer to whatever was brothering us. Paul knows the church is at a crucial point of losing their faith, while extreme suffering. He would have loved to embrace them and say, “Be strong.” But that never happened so he wrote to them to think back to the past, before they knew Jesus, before they were saved.
Paul says the same to us when we are discouraged or disappointed because God has not made it the way we intended. When we pray we have a picture of how things should be of how God should make them. Paul reminds the brothers that they are saved, he uses the word, “illuminated,” in others they are as Jesus said a candle, needing to light up the world with the Gospel. They are no longer in the dark with their past afflictions; they are now a shining light for Christ. Today we can light up for others and ourselves through Jesus. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 18
A HIGH LEVEL OF INTELLENCE OF UNBELEIVERS
How depressing it can be for a minister to approach a school or university with the message of the cross.
"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (1Co 2:1-2)
Paul felt depressed after preaching in Athens. In Acts: 17 we find him in Athens on Mars Hill in the amphitheatre with all the intellectual pagans. Although there were so many there listening to the message of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus and others from the dead. Only a handful followed him and got saved. In this audience Paul thought surely all their knowledge and interest in learning; they will consult me and want to learn of Jesus, the cross and His resurrection, but no, very few and very little results of all of Paul’s efforts.
Perhaps you too have felt the same when you are telling others of Jesus and what He means to you. They don’t care, they think, “Okay for you but that faith thing is not for me.” You can be disappointed. Paul’s last words in the verse were “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” In other words don’t give up, keep witnessing to others and praying for those who you have witnessed to. When you are so full of love for them you cannot be any longer disappointed, you will start giving thanks today for these people in your life to love. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 19
TESTING FAITH
How often do you feel God tests your faith?
"When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he said unto Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do." (Joh 6:5-6)
When we read the Four Gospels we find that the disciple’s faith was proved on land and on sea. There was one time Jesus even called them “children of little faith.” They have been at his side following Him day and night and still He refers to them like children and now another test on the mountain.
As we know Jesus did a miracle for this crowd and His disciples on this mountain, feeding over 5000 there. The tests that we get from God are as strong for us as the ones Jesus had for His disciples. How do we get through them? We do as the disciples did, trust in Jesus. Our tests are for us and our victories are our testimonies after. When we are in a time of testing, we can trust in Jesus today, like the song says, “Through it all, we can trust in Jesus we can trust in His Word.” Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 20
POWER TO RAISE THE DEAD
Have you heard from testimonies that the dead have been brought back to life and fully healed?
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Eph 6:10)
Only with the power of God, can life be restored to a dead person. We know Jesus raised the dead and was raised from the dead, this tells us the power of God is supernatural. The power of God is strong and His strength is supernatural also. Do we look at this like something with our capability? We should not do that. The Holy Spirit that lives in the New Born Christian is where that supernatural power and strength comes from. Our capability in the Name and Authority of Jesus is also supernatural. Nothing in the world can overthrow the power of God or the power of us through the Holy Spirit in the Name of Jesus. Jesus has overcome all worldly powers. Sin, sickness and death were overcome on the cross. Today we can also manifest that supernatural power from God into our own daily lives.
Whatever you meet up with today, you have the Name of Jesus to overcome it. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 21
LISTENING TO OTHERS
I am not good at listening, I’m not being rude, but I live in Europe and have trouble with accents. I always am trying to be pleasant about asking them to repeat, whatever has been said. So even with my difficulty of listening, I have to admit “I am not a good listener”.
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." (Jas 1:19)
Paul was always teaching with love. When wanting to correct or convict his brethren, he would address them “my beloved.” That was his first lesson for them how to address others when you need to correct or convict a brother or sister. Then his next comment was “swift to hear.” We need to be more excited to listen so that we do listen we all our being, instead of halfway.
I attend more than just one discipleship class. You may ask, ”Why so many?” My answer is, “Because they are never the same.” I can go to the same study, same class, same teacher and I always learn something new, because I wasn’t listening the first time as good as I should.
Another good listener is one who listening to those in need of prayer, which was very important to Paul. Listening to others needs can only be done when you are quiet and not speaking. Paul also was considering the conditions that the brothers were living in, “slow to speak and slow to wrath, “ go together. We find we have time to control our emotions and feelings when we do not speak. With these few comments you might feel convicted, I do. So now with this new day we have the opportunity to correct ourselves. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 22
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NUGGET: MAY 23
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU
We all need to be more concerned with other brother’s and sister’s needs. I am much too busy with my own agendas than to use my precious time for others,” isn’t that what we think?”
"Bear you one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." (Gal 6:2)
We all know that some burdens are heavier that we can bear for others, but we have no excuse to not jump in and if need be call someone else to help bear another’s burden and between us the load will be balanced. The first thing that must happen is that the burden must be exposed, so others are aware of it. How that is done is through your prayers for the church.
The Holy Spirit will bring the burdens to surface to be seen and known. No child of God, no Christian should have to bear burdens alone. You may ask, ”What is a burden?” They are illnesses in need of prayer; I put that as a priority number one, because if the body is not in good health, the spirit and the mind will also suffer. Other burdens are family, always in need of prayer, then the physical things, housing, food, finances, work etc. the list goes on. All can be prayed for, but some need our attention more that prayer. Today is a great day to help someone, somehow. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 24
YOUR RESPONSILITY
It may be sad at times when we recognize that we were not honest and lapsed in our responsibilities.
"For every man shall bear his own burden." (Gal 6:5)
How often do we hope that some of our tasks and responsibilities would just go away? The problem is we have grown up. We are no longer children we are now adults. When we became Born- again, we were babes in Christ. We wanted the Pastor and, Elders and the other brothers and sisters to baby us. If we were in a good church it should have been that way for a season. But in a good church we must be taught our lives with Christ carry, precious responsibilities, which bring us into a time of growth.
In a good church our growth will be followed with new responsibilities. We will learn to pray, to tithe, to witness and to serve. First, prayer is our privileged responsibility. Then we learn to tithe, which is our convicting responsibility. Afterwards there are more physical tasks, with witnessing and serving, and these are very much so a Christian’s responsibility in their church. If you are in a good church all these are your responsibilities, so instead of wishing they would go away, take hold, be joyful, and praise God today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 25
DON'T JUST STRIVE, SUCCEED
How can people work so hard at learning and not advance. What is the use of striving and not being more successful in life?
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work." (1Ti 3:1)
We desire many things in life for ourselves, our children and our family. Are we willing to go after our dreams or do we just keep on dreaming. I have three lads, and I am so proud that although there was no means for them to advance in their educations to get those so desired certificates. But they made their dreams come true and are not finished yet. I too with no formal education am filling my dreams. When you are Christian you find your dreams come from God. Therefore they are much easier to come true.
Too many Christians have a desire to serve in their church, but only want to serve in the higher positions where they are more recognized. Paul wants his church to recognize who can do what and do it well. Those that can do a good service or fill a good position by doing a good work, they will please God first and so the brothers and sisters after. The smallest to the greatest tasks are all recognized by God. He values the works that are done first from the heart so from the body whatever we want to do today we must do it well to please God. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 26
LIVING IN A FISH BOWL
Most people would not like living in a fish bowl because there are no curtains, or no privacy. Well no problem we do not have to live like that. We can withhold our private times and close our curtains to the rest of the world.
"So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us." (1Th 2:8)
Paul’s only desire was to be closer to his church. He wanted them to know that his letters of teaching them about Jesus was not the only thing he wanted to share with them. He tells them he would share his soul with them that is how much he loved them. He tells them I have no secrets from you, my life is in a fish bowl.
Paul was under constant watch from the Roman guards, he had no privacy, no curtains. His life was to endure a prisoners’ life, little sleep, food and months of cold. Paul stayed on his knees in prayer, therefore his church grew, because of his life of prayer, he was given all things through the Holy Spirit to his church.
There are not many but their some that are living as Paul in prison and they need our prayers. But how many pastors and leaders in the church would move into a fish bowl for the sisters and brothers to know them better. Are your church leaders holding back from their church their lives? Do they come to the church with their needs and desires or do they hide behind a curtain. Today you can call your Pastor to ask, ”Is there something you need prayer for?” Then pray for them. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 27
HIS ANOINTING
Do you remember your first anointing of the Holy Spirit?
"I shall be anointed with fresh oil." (Psa 92:10)
I do remember this time of my life when I felt the Holy Spirit covering me. I remember, David’s first anointing was when Samuel met with him as a small shepherd boy. I am sure as David wrote this he was thinking back again. Christians we also have some memories like David when we were just babes in Christ.
We are now walking with Him in His daily Word and connecting more each day with His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the hands that apply the scared oil over us. In David’s youth oil was so expensive that it was only applied by a little bit on the hands to put on the person. Now the Holy Spirit is the Great Anointer, whose hands touch us and we are anointed by God Himself. This Anointing from God is for us when we pray and request it. When ask God, we may add Father cover me with the Anointing of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 28
ABOVE ALL FAITH
Faith is the only access we have to a miracle. We all want miracles, with our health or our finances or with the salvation of our loved ones. Praying with faith can move mountains.
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (Eph 6:16)
When a soldier took up his shield it was like he was standing behind a door. His shield was long and wide to give him full body protection. When we take up our “shield of faith” we also are providing ourselves with full protection. We can see a picture of a young lad wanting to be a soldier; he has a wooden shield and a wooden sword. The wooden shield will only provide him with a very limited amount of protection. But as he grows he will also be in need of a larger shield. That is how it is with us.
First, new born Christians, like babes, then we begin to grow and so does our faith, getting a larger shield with every new test and testimony, our faith grows. As we gain more knowledge of Jesus and the Cross, our faith increases. Then we are aware that as we pray we are praying in faith. We are glorifying God by our obedience and communication with daily. And our faith grows. But we must not forget as we grow we must be carrying a larger shield. Our obedience, knowledge and communication with the Lord will need more daily protection. As we grow the enemy increases his attack of fiery darts against us and our shield, therefore our shields also need daily maintenance, which is provided by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Our reading of God’s Word with prayer can be a fresh anointing for us today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 29
CHILDRENS REFLECTION
Have you ever thought that children reflect the home life they have with their parents?
"One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity." (1Ti 3:4)
Paul was very interested with family life. He was concerned in how children were being raised. He knew there were many married couples in the church with children. He was hoping that they were raising their children in the faith not just with Jewish laws. The fourth commandment was to honour your parents, so that is what Jewish children were taught. But to go further is to respect and be kind to others.
The father is the head of the house and should always be careful with his language, because his children will copy him. They will look up to him for guidance and he must be a good example for them. Paul goes as far as to say the father must rule his home with all gravity, in other words with dignity, courtesy, and respect. If you are living in a Christian home this is atmosphere that you should live in. Most important the atmosphere your children should be living in today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 30
RATIONAL AND IRRATIONAL
We can have two types of thinking, rational and irrational. Paul is concerned for the brethren in church, having to deal with so many problems in those days.
"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations," (2Co 10:4-5)
These two types of thinking are also strongholds. We need to always stay on top of them, so they can’t separate us from God. The rational stronghold can be all the logical things that we have to do and live with, so there will be no time to listen to God’s will. On the other hand we have this irrational stronghold, deals with our emotions, such as fear and worry.
We have a lot of our thoughts committed to good health and happiness and how we can achieve them, instead of having faith in God. If we use our sound mind to trust and listen to the Holy Spirit daily, the rational stronghold will crumble and be reduced to nothing. Also the irrational stronghold will come down as we increase in faith, spending more of our time in the Word and building our relationship with Christ. No strongholds can stand against our faith in Jesus and our obedience to God today. Amen.
NUGGET: MAY 31
SWITCH ON THE LIGHT
There are so many times that we experience a form of darkness in our lives. Although we are doing God’s will we face an opposition where we find ourselves in the dark?
"And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (Joh 1:5)
Darkness has no power. The only reason there is darkness is because light is absent. Light always over comes darkness. Christians have a light, which also can overcome darkness. That light has been given to us by Christ; He said “that we are the light, like a candle in the center of a room.” When keeping our faith in Christ our light is burning brightly, and no darkness can come upon us. Our faith is all powerful against darkness. When we apply our faith, it is like switching on a light. When Paul says “darkness comprehended it not,” he was referring to that darkness has no ability or dominion over light. Darkness is zero when we are praying, or worshiping. If you are in a dark area, pray and worship the Lord today and receive the light with Christ. Amen.
DAILY NUGGETS
For June
From Revbon
NUGGET: JUN 1
RIGHT OR WRONG
Have you ever wondered after spending a lot of time praying for one thing and not seeing a good result? When we pray we must do the same as if we are ordering something.
"You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts." (Jas 4:3)
Let me explain. Today you go on the internet onto Amazon, you have a certain product you want and they have it. You find it and click on order, filling all the info they need and give your credit card number and the amount you are paying them. Have you gone to all that trouble thinking, they are not sending to me, it is not coming, I went to all this trouble for nothing, because that is what I am going to get nothing.
Sadly that is the same thinking that many have when they pray or ask for prayer. Would you have done all that on the internet, if you doubted your order would be answered. No, you put that order in with confidence that you would receive a package. You would not have gone to all that trouble in fear of receiving nothing. No, you went to all that trouble in faith that your order went through and soon you would have your product. Prayer in confidence and faith gets results. A good result from Lord, could be a yes, a no, or wait. Praying in doubt and fear gets no results. The right way is with faith and the wrong way is with fear. When you pray today which is it with, “faith or fear?” Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 2
THE ROOTS MUST BE STRONG
We all want to produce fruit for the glory of the Lord. The problem is the way God planned a tree to produce fruit.
"Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." (Col 2:7)
When a tree is planted the roots begin to cling fast to earth. They hold on through seasons of heat, cold, snow, rain and wind. It's not easy for a tree just planted to survive all this mistreatment. The treatment it gets is what strengthens those roots.
Those roots are the food paths that nourish the trunk and branches. While the roots are nourishing the upper part of the tree they are getting stronger and the tree is becoming more stable and firm. So when the tree is ready, which is usually in the spring, leaves and blossoms begin to appear. Much time has gone by from the day the roots were planted until there starts to be a sign of fruit on the tree.
Paul was always encouraging the church to stay strong in the faith. Even here he is telling them, what you have been taught you can build up your faith in Christ. Paul was saying give thanks, you’re rooted, and now Christ is nourishing you for the fruit you are going to produced in the right season. If you are still waiting for that season of fruit today, keep praying, it won’t be long. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 3
GUARANTEE ARRIVAL
Let us go back to ordering something on the internet. What guarantee have we when our package arrives it is not broken?
"In whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." (Eph 1:13)
There are very few guarantees in the world today. In the past when a package or large parcel was sent it could be sealed. That seal was placed on the parcel with a person's seal and wax. When whoever saw the seal they could also see who had sent the parcel. In most cases the wealthy always had all the parcels with such seals. These seals were almost the senders guarantee and the receivers guarantee that what was in the parcel was not broken.
It was not a perfect guarantee, but it was better that what we have today. When the church was suffering under the terror of the Romans, their faith could falter. So Paul would send letters of encouragement to them. This verse was so perfect to overcome the fear they were having. Paul was reassuring them there is a guarantee from the Holy Spirit of promise for you all and that is also for us. God has sealed His guarantee of promise for us. Today we are sealed with the blood of Christ that we will arrive in Heaven and have eternal life. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 4
QUALIFICATIONS TO SERVE GOD
Do you think God has picked out those that pass intelligent tests to serve in His Kingdom? Not true, He is looking for those who love Jesus and will obey Him here on earth as His loyal servant.
"For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." (1Co 1:26)
Paul knew that it would be shepherds and farmers or maybe shopkeepers that are now the members of the churches that serve Christ. Not many wealthy noblemen or high-up authorities came to believe in Jesus. When we look at the men Jesus chose as His co-workers in life, they were all just a few normal fishermen doing days. work. Yet they left their lives as fishermen for fish and became fishers of men. When you listen to the Lord’s words, He called His followers sheep and we know that He was our Good Shepherd. Sheep have no high authority or education, they are simple and selfish. There is no nobility in a flock of sheep. But the one who leads them also protects them, feeds them and cares for them. That is why we, as sheep, turn to our King of Kings, our Good Shepherd, Jesus. He is the only Noble that loves us and can save us. Before serving or following a worldly noble, serve and follow Jesus today. He is our only Saviour. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 5
ABORTIONS ARE AN ABOMINATION
You may never think that someone planned your birth, but someone did, God planned your birth and your life.
"According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." (Eph 1:4)
I have heard people comment, “I was an accident, my folks didn’t want to have another child,“ or perhaps, "I was a surprise completely unexpected.” First how wrong to say such a thing to a child, and how wrong those parents were to begin with. Perhaps they didn’t plan a new baby, but God planned it for them. In the Psalms, David said, “God’s eyes were fixed on us in our mother’s womb." He was watching us before we were born, or even thought of by our parents.
When we were a “substance,” in other words, without form God knew us. Paul even goes deeper into our history, he says, ”We were chosen before the world was formed." We were chosen also to be holy and full of love. That is our “pre-history, personal history." Oh no! We were not even a surprise to God. The comment “Pro Life” is actually another way of claiming how precious life is. ”Pro Choice” is claiming that man can make better decisions than God over our flesh over our lives, in other words there is no God other than man. "Pro Choice" is an abomination to God. Our governments are asking us to vote for "Pro Life" or "Pro Choice." Of course today there is only one way to vote with God. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 6
DILIGENT DISCIPLES
Do you ever question yourself, could I have done that better? When we are very sure we are doing our best at any task, then are we diligent and not lazy?
"And cast you the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Mat 25:30)
Being a good disciple is the same as being a good servant. No man can be a good servant that is lazy. Jesus wanted His disciples to be well prepared for the future they would have to face without Him. Jesus knew He was going to the Cross. He tells this parable about the three servants to teach them how important all they have learned from Him must be invested. They are to spread the Gospel and harvest the fruit. After the Cross their lives will never be the same.
There is no time to be lazy, when they have the message of Jesus, the Cross and the resurrection to tell everyone. Their message is gold and their harvest is souls. Jesus wants us also to be diligent disciples until His return. Our message of the Cross is also gold for us and our harvest is also souls. Today can be the beginning of our labour for Christ, today we can stop being lazy and be diligent disciples. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 7
LOSERS ARE LAZY
We have two choices in eternity, Heaven for winners or hell for losers.
"And cast you the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Mat 25:30)
The third servant that got a talent from his master was lazy, he buried it and was not concerned in investing it, so he was the unprofitable servant. The other two were well rewarded for their efforts and results. They were loyal and wanted to see their master prosper. The first one and second one doubled their investments, that took hard work they had no time to be lazy, pleasing their master was their goal and they worked for it. In return they were given a great reward for their heartfelt tasks.
We know what happened to the lazy one. This lesson was not only for twelve of Jesus' disciples it is for us also. Serving Christ must be a heartfelt task for us. We must offer all our ambitions and desires to pleasing our Master. Whatever task we have to serve others with the love of Christ we must do it well. Jesus has given each of us a ministry, big or small; we need to work at it with a heartfelt spirit. Today ask the Holy Spirit what you can do together. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 8
COMPASSION COUNTDOWN
When Jesus looked at a crowd of people He had compassion on them. Sometimes we know people so well it is not easy to have compassion for them.
"And of some have compassion, making a difference." (Jud v22)
When we know of a Christian that has backslid, no longer comes to church, no longer fellowships with Christians and no longer wants to fellowship with you, how do we feel? Do we want them back so much that we are praying for their well being? Perhaps we feel they have those problems because they left the church and are backsliders. That is a normal way to feel. On the other hand Christians are not normal to their flesh if they are filled with the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has not given up on them, why should we? It is our compassion countdown that has failed us and them. We need to build ourselves up with more love for the fallen, more compassion for the unbelievers. We need to pray for those suffering no matter if it is their fault or not.
Can you have compassion for someone coughing all the time with COPD and not stop smoking? Compassion is an emotion that moves when we are faced with something sad or painful. If we begin to look around us or remember someone we knew in church that has fallen away, we can open our hearts and wake up our compassion for them, we may even see a difference with them, and if we try it today, we will definitely see a difference in ourselves. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 9
CENTER CONTROL
If I asked you, “What is the center control of your life?” Would you answer, “My mind.”
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph 6:12)
You would be right. Your thinking, your thoughts, your mind is what controls your life. Paul was very concerned with “spiritual warfare” in the church. The brethren in the church were in constant danger, always watching out for an enemy with the Romans and Jews. Paul knew their lives could come to an end within a day. He wants to encourage them, don’t be fearful for your lives in the flesh as you are for your spirit, mind and soul.
Evil, darkness and spiritual wickedness was constantly around them, if they opened their minds to it. The power of darkness only manifested power through their thinking. The church needed to understand that only through cleansing, purification of their minds and their thinking could wrestle, battle and declare victory over evil and the spirit of darkness. The church must stay in prayer, and the Word at all times or the moment they were off-guard the enemy would strike, and someone would fall. Today we need to investigate our mind, what is in there, our thinking, what is going on in there, our thoughts, what are you full of? This is the day to take control with repentance, and renewing our minds for our victory in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 10
LOOPHOLDS FOR THE DEVIL
In our thinking is where the Devil finds loopholes to enter in. Remember it is in our mind we have center control of our lives. Letting in the evil thoughts from the Devil is also releasing control to him.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph 6:12)
Once again speaking of “spiritual warfare“ is very serious business when coming to controlling your life, as a disciple and child of God. The Kingdom of God is the highest rank we can receive as Christian soldiers. It is there that we desire to abide for eternity. There is also another kingdom the one of evil and darkness of the lowest rank.
The Devil wants us there for eternity. Therefore there is “spiritual warfare.” This is what Paul wanted to warn the church, “Watch out and stay on watch.” Evil beings and demons exist, they want to control us and they want the human race to bow down to them. They are looking for any weakness in our faith in Christ, for them that is a loophole for them to enter our minds. If we retain the “mind of Christ” there is no room for them to enter with their evil and wickedness. Take your place on the wall to stay on watch with prayer that no evil can enter in our mind today. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 11
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN UNFRIENDED
We lost a lot of friends in Norway when we got saved. We were very social and well known in our fishing community, until my husband said, “He was now going to be a fisherman for Christ.”
"But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions." (Heb: 10:32)
Paul knew that the Jewish believers had been walking in faith for many years. Naturally they had all the brethren in the church as their social companions, but perhaps they were being a little naive about their past. Their Holy Huddles could be leaving some of the new Christians out. If they need reminding that being a new Christian was not easy for anyone. They had friends and family that would persecute them for their new faith and lifestyle.
Paul wanted these baby Christians to be cared for. Perhaps the words of Jesus were forgotten. "So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these? He said unto him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said unto him, Feed my lambs." (Joh 21:15) This command from
Jesus is for us all being disliked which can be hard on the lambs. Today perhaps you could contact a lamb and feed them as Jesus commanded, so they know they have a Friend in Jesus and you. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 12
TASTELESS FRUIT
When Jesus was hungry and looked at the fig tree to get some fruit to eat, He was so disappointed with the tree that He cursed it and the next day it was dead. I have always wondered how big was that tree?
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Mat 7:20)
If Jesus had not been hungry would He have noticed the fruitless tree? I think when we look at trees with fruit we only notice the ones with bending branches with fruit, so we presume that these trees must have the best fruit. They look strong to carry so much on them. But Jesus didn’t say, "Look at the trees," because they look strong and healthy. Perhaps the fruit is not as tasty because there is too much on the one tree and not all the fruit is getting nourishment that is need for them to be fully grown and tasty.
Sometimes we too look at those very strong and overbearing with fruit in the willingness to serve and the church. We might find if we look to the small tree, greener and more nourished, that their fruit will be more tasty and rewarding. Many have a number of talents and gifts, but are their lives revealing fruit. Are they more attractive to look at, than live with? Do they speak with a gentle voice, but have no gentleness for their spouse and children. Do they have a gift of prayer, but no hug, no touch, no smile? What is wrong with them is that they are not being nourished by the Holy Spirit by the Word of God?
Before we are taken in by the appearance and actions, let us follow Paul’s instructions to taste everything and refuse that which is tasteless. Make today your day to pray for discernment and knowledge when choosing your co-workers in Christ. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 13
FULLY COMMITED
Have you ever competed in a sport? If you were competing on your own, running, jumping, hopping, or may even throwing something, you were using all your strength to win.
"Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain." (1Co 9:24)
You might think it strange that the apostle Paul would be referring to a footrace when speaking of our walk with Christ. Let's look at a runner’s life. First he eats healthy, second he trains daily, and third he studies the competition. When we watch a footrace we might not know all the runners, but they know each other very well. Not personally but by their training they have learned each other's technique. Some like running inside, others outside with more room to move up. These runners are fully committed to one thing, to win their next race. Sometimes they run for years before the gold medal, but they don’t stop running because they lost a race.
This is what Paul is telling our walk with Christ after a lot of study and commitment becomes a footrace. Slow at first but after a time of desiring to win the gold, which is our Heavenly home, we want to move faster. Our training is with other Christians, in church or in our prayer closet. We nourish ourselves with the Word of God, our daily bread. Staying on the track of truth and righteousness. We can see our goal and our gold. That is all Paul wants us to do. Perhaps you have been a little sluggish, speak to your trainer Jesus today, He will get you on the right footpath with Gold at the end of this race. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 14
CRACKS IN THE CHURCH
Everyone has heard of the boy that saved Holland, by his conscious discovery of the crack in the dike protecting Holland. Why was it a little boy who found the leak? If the dikes were being maintained correctly, then the watchman would have found the leak.
"Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (1Co 10:12)
When we read about the great city of Sardis, where everyone was so busy prospering with their lives and businesses, they took no notice of the cracks in the walls surrounding their city. So because the cracks got big enough that their enemies could enter the city and take control.
Paul was always concerned about the church. He knew that if pride and gain was able to enter the minds of the brethren that the consequence could be tragic. Cracks will make their way into church and there will be conflict and confusion. The message of the Cross will be silenced by the enemy. The church must be lovingly and graciously maintained and at all times protected. The brethren must stay humble and follow the words of Jesus and the teachings of Paul. In that manner, no one will be neglected by the leadership. And the witness will be strong though out that city.
The same is for today and the church of today. The problems of the churches that Paul was caring for and guiding are still the same problems the church has today, pride and gain. Today perhaps, the family in Christ in your church, needs a reminder of the message of Cross. Perhaps you could bring that message and mend the cracks. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 15
HOW TO HELP AND NOT GET HURT
Helping others can result in you getting hurt. So there is a definite lesson to learn here. Everything you have as a child of God is Holy. So everything you share with others is Holy. So we must take in account just how we want to share our Holy things.
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." (Mat 7:6)
If you are giving to help the homeless, how willing are they to help themselves? Are they listening to your witness while you are severing them a meal. Are they asking you to spend time with them to tell them about Jesus and His love? Jesus said, “that man cannot live on bread alone” they love the and bread. But there are those that want to deceive you, they don’t want a share of what you have they want it all.
Only through the Holy Spirit can you know who is to share your Holy things, because there is thanksgiving in their hearts. Wild dogs don’t want a share they want it all, and they are dangerous they may attack you just because you are kind to them. Stay away from them. Pray today and ask the Holy Spirit where and with whom you should share your Holy things, your money, your food, clothing and perhaps even your home. Don’t share before your prayer. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 16
YOUR PEARLS ARE PRECIOUS
When Jesus was speaking to the poorest famers and workers He was talking about pearls. That is a little strange considering these people could never afford a pearl, perhaps the fishermen could find one, but that was very likely.
"Neither cast you your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” (Mat 7:6)
Jesus had been with them a while. They had seen many miracles, healings and even the dead brought back to life. These are the pearls Jesus speaks of. Just like us our testimonies are so precious to us. They are like a string of pearls that we want to increase daily. We must be wise and on watch.
Jesus warns us about, being foolish and casting our pearls to swine, in others words, unbelievers, who would trample us under their feet. For our witness to be strong we must know through the Holy Spirit who He wants us to witness to. We must have His guidance, so we don’t get stepped on. Today in your prayers ask Him for a longing heart that you could comfort with the Gospel. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 17
THE SOURCE OF STRIFE
When we are feeling strife in a relationship we are also in a state of judging those we love. That is the way the devil uses strife, he is the source of this miserable feeling.
"But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth." (Jas 3:14)
This verse will not make anyone feel very good, and at the same time if this verse is convicting you, you need to repent. The enemy is a constant user of the minor things, to build them up to destroy loving relationships. First we find a little something about our dear ones that we are a little uncomfortable with. That should be our first sign for prayer and repentance so we “nip it in the bud” and it has no more possibility to grow and gain our judgments against our dear ones.
We love those we find fault with, because that it the enemy’s source of strife in our lives. Sometimes we speak out and hurt the other person who we love, or we just let it lie with our thoughts to make us more miserable. Have you strife in your heart against someone you love? Check it out today, and cast it out today in Jesus name. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 18
SUCCESS AND SWEAT
Lazy people cannot be successful, they lie back and let others do the work and sweat. We see that in the world, man strives to be successful by commitment to his job or profession. Success comes with sweat and commitment.
"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." (1Co 4:1)
Paul was a very successful man, as a minister of Christ Jesus. He never experienced success, he was a prisoner of Rome and executed in Rome. But throughout Christianity’s journey he is the most known teacher in our church next to the Lord himself. Paul’s letters were written by the Holy Spirit to teach the church of old and of the church of today. His writings are the most known and used in all Christian churches. They are the most successful writing of one man, in the world next to the words of our Lord.
Paul never was lazy; his stewardship to God was his life’s work. His contribution to the church transformed legalism to the teachings of God’s grace. Perhaps for you to be a successful steward of Christ, you may have to sweat a little and work for your church and brethren there. Working as a minister or elder in your church can only be done well with a heart of humility and servant hood. Is this something you need to pray about today, do you need to be more humble to be successful in your ministry? Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 19
IT COULDN’T GET MUCH WORSE
Sometime when we are being tested or not things still can be very bad. Bad health and worrying finances can give us sleepless nights. We can get into situations where we feel that things are not going to get any better.
"For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raises the dead." (2Co 1:8-9)
Paul and his team getting back from Asia was definitely not a victory march. In other words they were blessed to even get home again. They had suffered many physical sufferings which made it difficult to keep their faith in Christ. Paul admits he was being “pressed out of measure” when he even despaired his life. That is so true with torture, the victim wishes death. But Paul and his team did make back home to tell the church, only with their trust in Christ who overcame death, did they survive.
We know that the same evil that Paul faced in Asia exists today in our world also. With the presence of God with us 24/7 we will also overcome our enemies. Paul spread the Gospel in the market place and was arrested for it; we see how that happens to other Christians every day. When I say other, it could be us. The question is, do we love Jesus enough to spread the Gospel in our market place, school, or work place? As long as we hold our eyes on Jesus and the Cross we will overcome the evil that faces us today and tomorrow. They won’t go away, but through the Cross and the name of Jesus we will overcome them. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 20
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THE FLESH
How many times do we say we want to do something to improve our home or ministry, but we don’t do it, we get lazy or change our minds. Either way it does not get done? All improvements in our lives that are directed by the Holy Spirit should get done. So what is the problem?
"Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom 6:11)
Our problem is the flesh, when the flesh takes over; all the promises to God fade out of our minds. The flesh slowly takes away our joy, hope and victory. All the happiness that we have when we have been obedient and done our task given to us by God does not exist with the flesh. Listening to the flesh and follow its lead is sin.
Paul tells us to be alive in Christ. That means the flesh, “sin,” is dead. What is on our list that we have not completed because of our laziness and disobedience to God? Today we can start to strengthen our selves to be larger than the flesh and more like the Spirit. Begin by checking our list of “to do’s” today and get started pleasing God. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 21
TO TELL THE TRUTH
Sometimes we can be surprised by the response when we compliment someone. We are very positive in our compliment and their response is so negative.
"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness... because I go to my Father, and you see me no more." (Joh 16:8&10)
We are guilty of doing the same thing to God, responding negatively to His Word. God says we are His beautiful and wonderfully made child and we deny it. We say we are ugly and unworthy of such a gracious Father. The Word tells us through the blood of Christ that we are saved. We still cling to the sinful nature and deny salvation.
Here in this verse from John we are told that as the Holy Spirit has come, He will reprove us but at the same time He will strengthen our faith and convince us of our right standing with God through Christ. Today is the day to be more positive about our relationship with God. He is our Heavenly Father loving us like no other father. Today is the day to claim our righteousness in Christ and the truth of who we are in the image of God. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 22
MAKE YOUR REQUEST AND WAIT FOR IT
It is easy to give up on God because we make our request to Him and it seems as He has put it on the bottom of the list and will never answer it.
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward." (Heb 10:35)
We know how Paul suffered and yet he writes he is convinced he will receive his reward. Not only he but he is writing this verse to the church being persecuted daily. Paul and the brethren of the church were confident that one day God’s promises would be manifested. Paul knew how the brethren were losing faith because of all the suffering they saw in the church daily. We invest our lives into living for Christ, it is to Him we make our request and with complete confidence we wait for His answer. Today it would be good to give the Lord thanks for the cross and His faithfulness to His children. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 23
AN ENEMY TO OUR LORD
James was Jesus' stepbrother, and he only accepted Jesus as the Messiah and salvation after the resurrection. He was an unbeliever and didn’t surrender his life to Christ until after the resurrection and seeing Jesus alive again. Yet in the book of James he is very hard on backsliders. He calls them "adulterers.”
"You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (Jas 4:4)
I guess we all know someone we love that once was with the Lord and now isn’t. I do have someone that I miss everyday that has left the church and then me two years ago. From what I see on her Facebook page, she has return fully to her past life. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters. We have to choose to serve the Lord or to serve the world.
James says having friendship with the world presents an enemy of God. Wow that is scary. I would never want to be an enemy of God. Although it only takes a backward step, back into your past life, to begin a new friendship with the world. In most cases adulterers are married or engaged, therefore they have committed themselves to one person and they are having an affair with other person. The same for a Christian committed to their Saviour Jesus, but compromising their relationship with Him and another it won’t work. Our lives would be in shambles, perhaps our health will fail or our finances and our relationships will never really work because we have given up our first love Jesus. If things are not going very well in your life perhaps you need to repent and return to Jesus today. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 24
LEARNING PATIENCE
When we are with those we love and perhaps have something to share with them that is on our mind but they are not receiving. Our patience can be tested in such a situation.
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach patience." (2Ti 2:24)
The closer they to us the more we love them the more we want them to receive what we a saying to them. Our relationship with them may not be as united in our thinking as we would hope for. This situation comes up if you are a parent speaking to a rebellious child, perhaps a boss speaking to an employee or a pastor speaking with a brother or sister in his church.
Love can come in many areas of our lives, and in all these areas we need patience. Also we may face one of them who only wants to defend themselves and not agree with us. In this situation kindness and gentleness is needed to keep the peace. Timothy says that as a Christian we are all servants of the Lord and we must not strive with these loved ones. We must be an example of love and patience. Perhaps we need to spend more time with them and listen to them as well. Is it possible that this kind of a thing is now in your life, in one of your relationships with someone you love? If so try to make today a day of being closer to them and perhaps there will both have a better day for it. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 25
SHAKE IT OFF
How is your faith, when you face your adversary? Paul was bitten by a snake. With one strong shake of his arm the snake was flung into the fire, and Paul was not harmed.
"And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm." (Act 28:5)
What I find is that those that saw what happened had their own idea of what was happening. First, because he was bitten they thought he was cursed, then seeing no harm came to him from the snake thought he was a god. Well we know God let it happen, so Paul could begin ministering to them.
So what has happen in your life that you can just shake off and get on severing the Lord today? Perhaps you think I can’t serve Christ, not true, you have faith and with that you are serving Him. Your faith is the key to your ministry serving Christ in this environment of unbelievers. They see you shake off your problems, shake off your adversaries. Your faith builds a foundation with joy and thanksgiving. Others notice that about you and they want the same as you have. Then you can minister to them about Jesus and the change they can have in their lives. Who do you know who you can share Jesus with today? Perhaps you can give them call. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 26
OBSERVE ONE ANOTHER
Sometimes it is not easy getting involved with others. There are those that are timid, proud or just unfriendly. After observing others around us we normally have concluded our own thoughts about them.
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:" (Heb 10:24)
I have found when I make an effort to know more about my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am surprised most of time. I usually have gotten a wrong picture, now I know better.
Paul was always concerned about the church. He was mostly concerned about how the brethren were doing. It was so important that there was always unity in their brotherhood. As Christians their lives were always in danger. They needed each other for their own safety and their families. We are not in that danger as Christians, so far. We are in the last days also on alert for our safety. This verse from Paul is a very good beginning for the church to practice to bring us in a complete unity. The needs of each other can be a priority on our list of “what to do today.” Paul is saying, don’t take no for an answer, provoke love and good works to others. Perhaps a task for today could be who can I help and show my love to them. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 27
RUNNING STRAIGHT
In the days of the Bible men wore robes or coats that came down below their knees. They could walk fast but they couldn’t run in these clothes. Therefore we find the comment “gird up your loins” throughout the Bible. This is a direct order to lift up your clothes and tuck them in your waistband so you can move swiftly or run.
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1Pe 1:13)
In this verse Peter is using the comment concerning our minds or our thinking. If a runner let his garment get loosened from his belt, his legs could get entangled, and he would not be able to continue until he repairs his clothes again. When his loins were girded tightly, he could run freely. But here Peter is not referring to our garments; he is referring to our thinking. If we do not gird our minds we can get in trouble for sure.
Our minds can take us to places that are not good for us to be and we can get entangled in sin, just from letting go of our thinking on a straight and direct path, led by the Holy Spirit. Girding up our thinking is easily done if we start our day with prayer and the Word of God. Remember Paul says our armour belt is the “belt of truth.” Keeping our minds and emotions on truth and not let them get entangled with the world we must face daily.
Our race in life can at times be blocked by evil thinking or just a lie from our enemy. Jesus said “the truth will set us free”; free to run our straight race on the path of righteousness with Christ. Jesus will always be with us on the track until we reach our goal. Ask the Lord today for a new revelation, to give you strength and mind control while you are running today. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 28
HIS BAG OF TRICKS
Have we a full understanding about the tricks the enemy has to pull on us. I don’t think so. Here are some of them. Always attacking our thinking with imaginations and illusions of how bad things could be or how bad they are. He captivates, paralyzes and destroys all our good thoughts. Just one bit of bad news or bad report from our doctor and we are under the enemies spell.
"For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says." (Mar 11:23)
What a wonderful verse. Jesus was speaking to His disciples, whom He knew would be facing very dark days after He had gone. What encouragement, speak with all the heart and faith and what you ask you will receive. Wow. We know our tongue controls life and death, so we had better be careful what we ask for. The key to receiving is “what is in your heart and what do you believe”.
Believer’s can ask for the wrong thing, get it and wish they had not asked for it in the first place. In other words, what they had asked for was not lead by the Holy Spirit. Believer who loves Jesus can still listen to a lie and be under the enemy control. Prayer and supplication is the way to get the right information from the Holy Spirit of what you should ask for. Beware today of your words and desires; ask the Lord “is this what You want for me, will this be good for me?” Remember to ask Him before you ask for anything. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 29
PRAYING FOR LEADERS
If you are in ministry then you already know the pressures that can occur on us. Whether you are a minister, teacher or worship leader, we are always in need of prayer from others. These ministries involve others in your church. Therefore as leaders we need their prayers.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me." (Rom 15:30)
Was there anyone at the time after the cross who we have counted on that suffered like Paul as the leader of many churches? There he was in chains in a cold dungeon, as the leader of his church. Only with the prayers of his brethren did he overcome his sufferings and dangers.
Paul needed prayer and here he asked his brethren to pray for him. Paul was in prayer 24/7 in prison and who was he praying for, he was always praying for the brethren, as well as himself to be strong enough to continue with the call he had on his life from his Damascus experience. Although Paul was full of faith, with the physical condition he was having a “spiritual warfare,” he asked them to strive together with him. When we are to pray for our leaders we also need to “strive together,” which means we are in complete unity in our prayers for them. Paul's greatest suffering came from “unbelievers” and quarrelling in the churches with his brethren. Paul's desire was to be with them in joyous fellowship. That should also be our desire for our churches and our leaders. Today when you pray direct special prayer for your leaders and ask them to pray also for you. Amen.
NUGGET: JUN 30
GOSSIP GET’S YA
My problem is judging with my eyes the clothing. I was in fashion in the States so my eyes fall naturally on how people dress or are dressed. Shame on me! I say nothing, but my brain is working all the time. Gossip is when the brain controls the tongue in an unhealthily manner. Gossip is not only unpleasant for people it is also unpleasant for God.
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (Eph 4:29)
In this verse Paul is saying two things. Both are very important to being a good Christian. He first starts with the evil of gossip. Corrupt communication is another way to say “gossip,” which hurts the Holy Spirit as well as others. That is the foundation of gossip is to judge and to criticize others. And that is sin, and controlled by the devil himself.
What happens when the same person you are gossiping about appears, wow, does the Holy Spirit convict you then. Your heart falls, you are so convicted, and yet you smile a sheepish smile to cover your guilt. Paul says that if you want to be known as a gossiper, change your thinking, from “stinking thinking” to “sweet thinking.” What is that you ask? When you gossip on someone tell about all the good things you know about them. If you have taken a great interest in their lives, take an interest in their good sides. That is what Paul is saying, “edifying them,” telling all you know about their goodness, kindness and love. So today let your goodness, kindness and love be the foundation of you being a great gossiper of “good news.” Amen.
DAILY NUGGETS
For July
From Revbon
NUGGET: JUL 1
CONFIDENTIAL FACTS
When you give confidential information you are quite sure that it is only for the person you have spoken to. But sometimes we can be betrayed. The worse is internet; there is no security with the internet nowadays. What about friends and family, are they ok with your confidential facts?
"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." (Jas 3:8)
When James was speaking of the tongue, of course, he was speaking of the one closest to you. When you confide in another person that can be a big mistake. Yesterday we spoke of “gossiping” and today we are almost in the same area. If we tell someone something in confidence we do it believing they go no further with it. But if we are a gossiper telling tales on others, we should just say “keep it to you” I don’t want to be with that kind of gossip. If the gossip is good and perhaps a pleasant surprise, joyfully join in and be confident that others can rely on you.
James was the leader of a church and perhaps he had those who wanted to confide in him, but he had to always judge the gossip or information he was getting, to make sure no one would get hurt from it. Also as a leader he had to make a decision on whether it was something to be prayed about and corrected in time. James wrote this verse to make it clear to his church; he wanted no “stinking thinking gossip” in his church. The same responsibility he had in his church we have in ours. Today it might be a good idea to start evaluating what you want to be confidential about. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 2
THE TONGUE IS SNEAKY
We are still on the subject of gossip and the power of the tongue.
"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." (Jas 3:8)
This time I am getting a little stronger on just how evil the tongue can be. We know the Word says, “life and death are in the tongue.” Therefore it is easy to understand there is power in the tongue. James tells us no man can tame the tongue. No man but the man that has the tongue. You and you alone can tame your tongue. You and you alone can decide how must good power or evil power will come from your tongue.
The tongue that James is speaking of is as a serpent, a snake full of deadly poison. Paul tells us our tongue can be full of joy and praise, edifying others. In other words we always have a choice of how we want to use our tongue. We have a choice of the kind of power we give our tongue for good or evil. Still the problem for us is how sneaky the tongue can be when we are in fellowship. "OPPS," we meant to say. Only with our desire to have the Holy Spirit leading our tongue on a daily path with love and goodness is the way we should use our tongue. Today would be a good day to be careful on how we use it. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 3
TUGGING AT YOUR HEART
Did you know that the Holy Spirit tugs at your heart long before you are saved? You may think it is your idea to be saved and give your life to Christ, but sorry, the Holy Spirit has been at work on you for quite a while before your decision.
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Rom 8:14)
Yes, so true, we are first tugged by the Holy Spirit. Just try to remember some of the things going on in your life before you were saved. Those things were instigated by the Holy Spirit tugging at you to get on your knees and give your life to Christ. Of course after your salvation the real work of the Holy Spirit started when He moved into your heart and soul and started not having to tug any longer, but now just leading you as a child of God.
A shepherd has to be a little bold at times leading his sheep to a good pasture or to safety. The Holy Spirit is our shepherd leading us and caring for our wellbeing according to the will of the Father. Today you can speak with him and ask Him where He wants you to take the next step. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 4
FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY
Have you ever thought that encouraging fellowship could be a calling? As you know a pastor is a shepherd for his flock. Therefore he is very concerned about the fellowship in his church.
"But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Heb 3:13)
When a fellow member of your church feels unwelcome or uncomfortable because of not being included in Christian fellowship, that dear brother or sister could fall into a depression and back to their former life in sin. The pastor has his job looking after all the needs, but he could use some help also and that person or persons that help him, will know that they have a gift and develop a ministry for encouraging a good fellowship unity in their church.
When love is spread around, everyone is happy and blessed. Such a ministry must be a seeker from the heart, and revealed from the Holy Spirit. In this ministry it helps with a confirmation from others. Perhaps this ministry is for you today. Prayer and seeking from your heart the love for your fellow family in Christ may be where you are needed. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 5
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
When the Lord gave commandments to spread the gospel, He was talking with His disciples. The gospel was new and the Bible hadn’t been written yet. So now the gospel is 2000 yrs old and we do have many versions of the Bible today. Is that to say we have no excuse for not doing what He commanded?
"And he said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mar 16:15)
"Go you therefore, and teach all nations." (Mat 28:19)
No we have no excuse. We have every reason to follow His commandment and to spread the gospel. How do we do that? We tell our neighbours, ”Jesus loves you and so do we.” We say, “God bless have a blessed day,” when we are in public places paying for something or getting service. We may have tracts that can be left a public places or given to a neighbour or friend. All these things have to be practiced, remembered and done for us to obey His commandment. Today we may be able to get some tracts and start in a street ministry, spreading the gospel in our neighbourhood or at work. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 6
OFFICAL SPOKESMAN
When the Lord commanded us to go out into the world, He was sending His official spokesmen to tell the world who He was and is, King of kings.
"And he said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mar 16:15)
Have you ever thought of yourself a herald of a king? We are just that for King Jesus. When we obey Him and go out heralding the King of kings to all mankind we are in the greatest ministry and answering the greatest call to God people.
When we are doing street evangelism, tell others who Jesus is and who He can be in their life, which is the greatest sermon given from a pulpit. Preaching from the pulpit should not be anything but edifying the King of kings. A preacher has only one message of the Cross to tell his congregation and that is the gospel. All sermons given from the pulpit should only have the message of the Cross and Resurrection. This same message can be given on the streets, workplace and school. Today we have that opportunity to “go out into the world and preach the gospel,” so what are we waiting for. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 7
YOUR IMAGE IN CHRIST
How do others see you? When others see us do they see ”WWCD” (What Would Christ Do) through us. Jesus was a man with the image of Christ, the Son of God. We are children of God so our image should also be Christ like.
"And these signs shall follow them that believe." (Mar 16:17)
We, who love the Lord and want to follow in His footsteps, should also strive to develop signs for others to want to do the same. Signs of the believer encourages other believers and is an invitation for unbelievers. Our signs that reveal our love and faith in Jesus, by our testimonies and prayers, should always encourage others to believe. When John was in prison, he sent word to Jesus asking Him, if He was the Messiah, Jesus answer was look at the signs, He heals the sick, the deaf, the blind, and the lame, these were Jesus' signs. These are also the signs of the believer, our signs.
We pray for many things, the sick, finances, provision, and deliverance, we see many miracles, and answered prayers, which are our signs. The Lord was on the streets and public places, that is why all His signs were seen by the multitudes. When our signs and testimonies are available for others to see, then they will see that by our faith we follow Jesus. Do you have a testimony or miracle to share? Do others see and hear that you follow Jesus? What can you do about your Christ like image? Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 8
SIGNS AND WONDERS
Yesterday was signs, today we are with wonders. How wonderful when we can see a person with a demon is delivered. Jesus said those that believe will cast out demons.
"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." (Luk 10:17)
These 72 apostles were uneducated fishermen and farmers. How they cast out demons was with the faith that Jesus said to us, we must have faith “the size of a mustard seed.” There are many young people today that have a demon, and that need deliverance. The Holy Spirit knows at once when He has come in contact with someone needing deliverance. That same wonderful Holy Spirit lives within us and is our protector when we meet the demon.
What did the seventy-two answer Jesus? "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." The seventy –two came back full of joy after Jesus had sent them out to evangelize and preach on the streets. What He asked them to do was not an easy task, but they obeyed, because they believed. The same task is ours and the same result can be ours, the key to the signs and wonders, healing the sick and casting out demons, is our obedience and our faith. Today you can ask the Holy Spirit where He wants you to be, obey His lead and believe in Jesus Name with your signs and wonders. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 9
PENTECOST WAS FULLY COME
Pentecost was a Jewish holiday and feast, and still is, 50 days after the Passover. For us that are saved and surrendered our lives to Christ it means a great deal more than just a holiday.
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." (Act 2:1)
In Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost the believers that gathered as Jesus had instructed them to do were in one accord. In other words they were all praying. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Act 2:4) In their church all that were there were filled with Spirit. Our churches are not like that today. In fact most churches do not encourage tongues. I am blessed my church encourages singing and praying in tongues.
Today speaking in tongues is a very personal choice, not like the day of Pentecost with Peter and 120 believers. They all were baptized with the Holy Spirit in one accord. Today the answer is, "I am fine without tongues." Wrong answer, we are not completely fine with the Holy Spirit until we are baptized with Him. When we are saved, a new creation in Christ, then we should welcome a new language also. Today can be the day of Pentecost for you, pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit with tongues and as the Spirit gives utterance. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 10
A MUSTARD SEED
How far can we go as Christians with so little faith as a mustard seed? Hallelujah the answer is, ”from here to eternity.”
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luk 10:19)
First the Lord tells His disciples they are children of little faith when they are in a storm. Then He says with “mustard seed faith” they can move a mountain. Here He goes even further to say that it is He that has given them power to resist the enemy and anything that could hurt them. That power in Jesus Name is ours. That authority in Jesus Name is ours. The signs and wonders we have read about this week is ours with power and authority we have in Jesus Name.
There is absolutely nothing for us to fear in this world, because we have Jesus. There is no need that can fail or no sickness that can prevail, with our authority in Jesus Name. All goodness and righteousness is in the Name of Jesus. Believing in Him with the faith of a mustard seed provides us with victory over the enemy. Whatever enemy is rising up in your life today, whack him and declare him gone in Jesus Name. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 11
FOOD POISONING
Sadly I have heard many friends say they believe the reason they are ill all of a sudden with the stomach aches is caused by ”food poisoning.” I believe they mean food with salmonella poisoning. This can be a result of contaminated food.
“ And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mar 16:18)
Living in Spain we find that eating in the cafes and restaurants can be cheaper than making the same meal at home. And perhaps we like leaving the dishes to them as well. But very true, food can be quickly contaminated in a hot country like Spain. Not blaming my favourite places, not their fault, but it can happen.
I am so happy that our Lord covers all our needs, even to the words “if “ and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;" we don’t think of this as a promise from the Lord, but that is exactly what it is. He verses in Mark 16: 17-18 are promises from our Heavenly Father to us His Children. Just this one is enough to give thanksgiving every day. We cannot survive without food and drink, and here the Father promises us that what we eat and drink cannot and will not harm us. When we give thanks for our food and drink that promise is His favour on us at that meal time. How many times do we eat and drink in a day? Today all those times will give you an opportunity to thank the Lord for His blessing of food and drink. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 12
MORE PROMISES
Promises from the Lord throughout His Word do not always apply to me or you according to our lifestyles and professions. But the verses here in Mark 16: 17-18 are mostly practical things we may come up against in our lives.
"They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mar 16:18)
Yesterday we read about ”food and drink,” today we read about “the sick.” I said that these verses covered most of our practical needs. What is more needed in our lives than healing the sick? A promise here in this verse tells us when we lay our hands on the sick, they will recover. Amen. So why doesn’t that always happen? Jesus looked on all the people with compassion, no that is not right.” He saw the great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them.” Matt 14:14
Do you see the diffidence? Not having compassion for someone hinders faith in healing. Jesus had compassion toward them, facing their dilemmas and healing them. Having compassion is an emotion and that emotion is what produces faith and banishes doubt. Laying hands on the sick and them being restored is the result of authority in the Name of Jesus and our compassion. Rebuking sickness is done with a full declaration of faith in Jesus and seeing them restored through the Spirit. If you are asked to lay hands on the sick, eliminate yourself from their condition and surrender them to Christ. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 13
THE KING AND I WALK TOGETHER
If you are walking along a street with someone, do others glace your way because they see who you are with. Look at Hollywood the streets are full of well known names and how those commoners would like to be seen with the stars.
"This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (Gal 5:16)
So Paul is telling us when we walk with the Holy Spirit, humble ourselves. In the first place if we were with a Hollywood star we would have to have been invited to join him. Well I would say that this verse in Galatians is an official invitation. The Holy Spirit is our great comforter, so anytime we need comforting He is there for us. He is our leader so when we are confused what direction to take, He will guide us. He is our protector, so when we are fearful, He gives us peace. He is our provider, so when we are lacking something, He will provide it.
Walking with the Spirit is a wonderful place to be and stay. He also is our “rod of righteousness,” He will convict us when we get out of line and bend toward our lustful temptations. When I am walking with the Spirit, I am walking with my King. I am the one that others take notice of, Wow, how does she get that invitation? Today is your day to walk with the King of kings, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This verse in Galatians is your invitation, to take Him by the hand and enjoy your walk with the King. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 14
THE ENEMY’S WORKMANSHIP
We know that the enemy is always working against God and His children, that is us. We all have the same enemy God has, the devil. God created Satan to be the leader of the worshipping angels and all he did was rebel against God and Jesus.
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest." (Gal 5:19)
Paul was always aware of Satan’s presence in any place he was preaching, teaching or healing. He knew that Satan had a goal to destroy or kill Paul. Everywhere Paul went he faced the works of the flesh, the workmanship of Satan using others, believers and unbelievers to bring Paul down. Not everyone that had faith in Jesus believed Paul had a great commission from Christ. The manifestation of the flesh was the lies that Satan was feeding those around Paul, which although they did not stop him from Christ’s work, they did hinder him at times from an easier path to his goal of preaching the message of the Cross.
The same kind of works that Satan worked on Paul, he is working on us today. The same goal Satan had in those days to stop believers preaching the Truth, “Jesus is Lord,” is the same goal he has now to stop us preaching the Truth. The works of Satan are always manifested in the flesh, whether it is physical or spiritual, he attacks us through others around us. "Satan is a chain maker while Jesus is our chain breaker.” Whatever has you bondage can be broken and you can be free with Jesus. Pray for deliverance today. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 15
IMMORAL STANDARDS JUSTIFIED
Today the world has every excuse to sin; the world justifies sinful and immoral standards to just get on defying God’s Word.
"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery" (Gal 5:19)
We have three natures, one as we were born in the flesh with the needs of the flesh. The second nature is our sinful nature, which tells us we need things that we really don’t need things that are sinful in the eyes of God. Things like, adultery, fornication or lasciviousness. Then we have another nature, at the time we repent for our sins and take Christ as our Lord and Saviour, which is our divine nature. These natures are always in a battle with in us.
Our flesh is always looking for more and the sinful nature says, ”I want what you have.” The divine nature says “no you don’t want to listen to him; he is only going to hurt you.” Then the battle begins and we are in the middle of all this warfare. This is spiritual warfare that wars within our thoughts and flesh.
Paul tells us that what we give to our mind will be our master Rom 6:16. We need to open our day with prayer and thanksgiving so the sinful nature will back away from our thinking. When wake in the morning, or say goodnight our only thoughts should be on Jesus. Today we can get closer to Him in our morning prayer time and sleep in perfect peace as we let Him be the last one we say “Good night” to. Perhaps today is the day you need to begin with this new journey with Christ. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 16
WATCH WHO YOU WORSHIP
Have you thought that you could make an idol, something that was more important to you than God? We can do that, we can make things, in our lives more important than Him and we can even worship these idols we have made for ourselves.
"Idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition." (Gal 5:20)
Paul has a list of things that we can have in our lives that take the place of God, we can be so dedicated to these things that we end up serving them and worshiping them. They are all a part of our old sinful nature and the flesh. The two things we wanted to surrender to Christ when we got saved.
Just look at the list Paul gives of our old man and his lifestyle. We can work so hard serving the church that in time we are serving man only and forgotten God. We are building up our position in the House of God without Him being there. If you watch some of the churches and preachers on the television, you can see for yourself so many of them have new idols, mansions and all the material things that they can worship and work for. If you look closer into their lives you will find money is their God now. And they don’t get the money without the sinful nature taking charge of their lives.
We can only worship God by keeping our priorities in order and that is to put Him first. How are your priorities today? Is there something you can place further down your list so you can put God at the top of your list and worship Him only? Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 17
SINFUL NATURE OF THE FLESH
Paul covered the sinful nature very well starting with the flesh. He also includes three things he lists together.
"Hatred, discord, jealousy." (Gal 5:20)
The most dangerous emotions in our sinful nature is these three things, these emotions start wars. They start wars within family or friends. You have to have a present relationship to hate, be jealous and cause discord in others lives. When I say present relationship, I mean it has never been forgotten. The hate has never gone away. The jealousy has just gotten bigger and therefore both lives are in discord, there cannot be peace when such a relationship exists. Only the love of Christ can melt a heart full of
hatred, only when you forgive and ask to be forgiven can that love of Christ bring peace into your lives. I hope you have not got such a relationship with anyone, but if you do, you need to pray today for Lord to enter in to the hearts of both of you. You need to pray for Christ’s peace in your lives. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 18
STILL SINFUL
Paul is still writing to us about the sinful nature and the flesh. The flesh is manifested in many areas of the sinful nature and most of them come with our emotions.
"Wrath, strife, seditions, heresies." (Gal 5:20)
We know that all the words from Paul were given to him from the Holy Spirit. Although the verses we have here in Galatians chapter five are things that we really don’t want to be a part of, the Holy Spirit had a good reason to have them here. Some of them we have written about early in the year.
The unfortunate emotions of wrath and strife can destroy one’s life. Wrath which is another word for anger makes us spiritually ill. We cannot find peace and love when we are angry of full of strife. At the same time we are angry we are rebellious or defiant, Paul says it is seditions, we are angry and want our own way.
When we involve other in our strife and defiance this is also the start of heresies. All these emotions will destroy you in time and will put up a separation between you and Christ. Have you strife or anger within your heart today, through prayer that can go away. Through repentance that has not to be any longer an emotion you have, because the closer you get to God and His divine nature the further you lose your sinful nature desires. Where are you with the Lord today, how close are you to Him, do you need to pray? Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 19
MORE SINFULNESS
These last few days we have looked at the flesh manifested in all the sinful nature that Paul writes about. We may think that when we read this in Galatians that we are exempt from all this sinful emotions. We think about them in the flesh as the world sees them and names each one.
"Envying, drunkenness, revelling, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:21)
Paul was not writing about the way the world sees these emotions in the flesh, he was writing about what these emotions can do to our spiritual lives, which determines are we Christians following in Christ’s example. We suffer under these emotions in seasons of our walk with Christ. Perhaps envying only a small manner of someone else’s ministry, and with that we murder our own chances to be what Christ wants us to be. Although we don’t get drunk, fight, steal or the other things on Paul’s list, we only have to be practicing one of them to hinder our inheritance of the Kingdom of God.
Only one that is not repented can hinder our eternal life with Christ. Perhaps you have repented this week for one. Praise God. We actually have one problem with these emotions, sometimes we are not aware of them being a part of us, so repenting should be the most important part of our daily prayers. Have you repented today for the sins you do not remember you have committed yesterday. You can pray now and repent now. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 20
DO YOU PRACTICE YOUR SIN?
To end the verse from Paul about the sinful nature in the flesh that we do not want to practice in our Christian lives.
"They who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:21)
These last few days we had to investigate our hearts and our souls to which nature of the three, the flesh nature, the sinful nature or the divine nature is our daily goal. Our daily desire should be close to Christ and His nature which we work on with our new creation in Him, our divine nature. We don’t want to leave this world into a life of suffering and hell. Paul is warning us for that very reason.
When we investigate the list he has given us we begin to repent, because we find that some of those sinful nature emotions still lie within us and for that reason we must repent. We can deny the flesh but we cannot live without of it until the Lord comes and takes us home. Paul’s list gives us the opportunity with our hearts and souls to repent and live closer to Christ. We all want to go to Heaven, we all want to live in the Kingdom of God, so we all need to look closely to our emotions and if we have them under control or which ones need to be readjusted and repented. These last few days we have had a deep look at ourselves, so today we can correct the things we have found in our emotions that do not please God. Pray to the Father and repent and walk close to Him today. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 21
ABIDE WITH ME
Paul has made this verse in Galatians, to have the Holy Spirit convict us and for us to be more open to what the sinful nature can do in our lives.
"Whosoever abide in Him sin not." (1Jn 3:6)
Yes, after these last few days of strong teaching, we have the love that John writes to us. John is like a father giving us a hug, saying, ”it is going to be OK. Christ died for you and the sin was paid for on the cross, He lives in you and will always be there for you.” Jesus is our Saviour; we are re- born as new creations through His blood on the cross and the new covenant He gave us through His blood, the Lamb of God.
We can go to Him daily and spend quality time with Him in prayer and His Word the Bible. We don’t have to suffer with guilt of our sins; we have the cross to go to for redemption and healing. We have Christ to abide in us and us to abide in Him. We are blessed and loved. Thanksgiving after our repentance and our salvation is a great way to end this Paul’s teachings this week. We can be happy and free of that old sinful nature today and give thanks to our Saviour on the cross for paying for it all. Whatever chains have held you to your sinful nature are now broken and you are in Christ and in your divine nature. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 22
NEW CREATION
Yesterday we got a hug from John; today we get one from Paul. He is going to reassure us of the goodness of Christ and the Holy Spirit. After a week of repentance we need some reassurances which come in our divine nature.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Gal 5:22-23)
In our divine nature these are some of the foundation and makeup that is in our new creation in the Holy Spirit. First is Love and after the week of teaching on our sinful nature, we need that hug Paul and that love. Paul was full of joy while writing these verses. Remember he was writing to the churches for encouragement.
These two verses give us all the encouragement we need to be joyful and full of peace. The goodness of the Holy Spirit that has given us our divine nature has built in us, also a new temple of faith. Where would we be if we had not all come to the cross and believed? Our faith grows as we nourish ourselves with the “bread of life” the Word of God. Cherishing the Word of God, gives us that daily presence with Him and we can feel those hugs and His love. That same Holy Spirit that has filled Paul with joy and peace is ours today. Paul tells because of Christ and the cross all these emotions, the fruits of the Holy Spirit is ours in our divine nature. Standing strong in our divine nature is done with daily prayer, declaring that, ”Jesus is Lord. “ Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 23
LOVE IS NUMBER ONE
We all want love. Actually we need love. Even Scrooge was loved, but it took him most of his life to learn about love. That can be true about others also. Everyone knows the word love, but does everyone knows what love is.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love." (Gal 5:22)
Paul was very sure about his teachings to the church. He tells us about love in Galatians. He tells us that there are four types of love the first is the physical kind of love. From a little baby we need to be touched and hugged and kissed, we need that kind of love that is the kind we get from others and can give to others. Also man and woman need to have intimate love as man and wife. Then we have the love that we have for our parents, our family and our very close friends, we need that love also. That love is what gives us confidence growing up and encouragement when we are grown up.
The third kind of love is affection we all need. Affection does not mean physical love, affection is compatibility, when we are well suited for each other and we complement each other with our friendship. We need that kind of love. Then the fourth kind of love is the love of God, the love of Jesus at Calvary on the cross. The agape love is our goal as Christians. All of these kinds of love God made for His child. The first love can be selfish. The second love is completely unselfish. The third love is when you forget yourself, because you enjoy the company of someone else. The four love is the one we need from our Heavenly Father and need to practice in our walk with Christ, is the agape love, the most unselfish love, because it is paired with grace. What kind of love are you practicing today? We need all four. Is there one kind you need to pray about and start practicing daily, pray for that today and remember family, ”Jesus loves you and so do I.” Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 24
JESUS‘ JOY
Is it possible to be filled with joy when things are not going well? There was a “supernatural” joy that was given to Paul and Silas when they were sitting in a cold damp prison cell with chains on their hands and feet and singing glory to God.
"You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (1Th 1:6)
We must have that same joy fill us also when we find that we are chained to a worldly situation that we have been placed in by the enemy. The afflictions that come in our lives can cause us emotions that are all superficial. The joy of Jesus that Paul had that burst out in song in prison was not superficial it was supernatural from within his heart. His heart was so full of love for Christ that, that love produced joy. Supernatural joy that overcame the obvious situation Paul was in at the time.
Jesus said I am going to send you a comforter when I am gone. The Holy Spirit filled those two in prison with the joy of Jesus, which not only removed their pain but it brought them freedom and their chains fell off. Today if you are going through a situation, that you are praying about, ask the Lord for joy. We make the mistake thinking that happiness brings joy, but no, truly happiness is superficial, what we need is supernatural, and that is joy. Today ask the Lord for that supernatural joy from the Holy Spirit that overcomes the world. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 25
LONG-SUFFERING
Have you ever felt like someone is using you or taking advantage of your kindness? There seems that there is no end to what they expect you to do for them. Paul has a word for this “long-suffering”.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." (Gal 5:22)
You might have thought that word meant you are suffering. What it means is that you are expected to be gentle and kind to those others who are suffering. Paul says that “long-suffering “is a fruit of the Spirit. That when the Holy Spirit is working through you, you are producing His fruit; you are showing “long-suffering.” There is a special good feeling in us that follows an act of kindness or generosity. We feel good about ourselves. And the Lord feels the same. When we produce fruit from the Holy Spirit, our spirit is fed and flourishes. So today I am sure we have someone to be concerned about with their needs, their suffering. What a good idea it is to pray for them and find a way to bless them again, even if we are making it 101 blessings. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 26
DOING GOOD
I have heard a comment like, ”They are do gooders.” When I look to the Word of the Lord I find that Jesus was a “do gooder.” Luke in Acts10:38 tell us that Jesus went about doing good.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." (Gal 5:22)
Paul says that to do good is also one of the fruits of the Spirit. Jesus being anointed with the Holy Spirit, He went about doing good. To do good as Paul was saying is to be a benefactor to another. To really be so concerned in others needs that you would put them before yourself. We don’t really think of the Lord as a benefactor to the poor.
When Jesus went out from His home to become a minister, he was not poor ,the kings had given Him as a baby, gold and riches. So although He travelled, mostly by foot, and had no house, He had funds to keep His ministry moving successfully throughout Israel. Remember Judas was the treasurer, in Joh 12:5 it says Judas had the purse; he was in charge of the finances. Also there were believers that financially supported Jesus' ministry. Again in Luke 8:3 tells of wealthy women that supported Jesus.
Through the Holy Spirit we can have His fruit of “goodness.” When we pray for God to tell us where He wants us to place our “offerings” as benefactors of God’s work. Our tithes are to the church we attend, but our offerings are to do good in other places. If you are not a benefactor for the Lord doing good, with the blessings He has already given you, perhaps today you need to ask the Holy Spirit, “Where do You want me to give my offerings?” So I can also be a “do gooder.” Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 27
SELF CONTROL
When we want to burst out with our emotions from our heart and mind, we may have to hold back and be more in self control.
"Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Gal 5:23)
When Paul was telling us that meekness was a fruit of the Spirit, we may get the idea that we must be very timid and weak. No, that is very wrong; Paul meant that when we have the emotion of weakness we have little ability to be meek. Meekness is strength and self control under difficult circumstances. Those circumstances could bring our emotions to a boiling point if we did not have the Holy Spirit to soothe us. Meekness is a very high quality of the Holy Spirit. It comes with kindness, goodness and friendliness. In other words it is matched with love.
In the flesh, self control is from the mind, where in the Spirit meekness is from the heart. Also coupled with meekness is temperance. Temperance is where our patience is lodged. You may think yourself as a patience person, until the enemy presents you with an example of “hell on earth.” You simply cannot tolerate it and you lose your peace. That is when the strength of meekness and temperance takes control and keeps you in your peace, not your peace but the peace of God. These wonderful two fruits of the Spirit are ours when we ask in prayer for them. Do you think your life would be more peaceful with them, you can ask in prayer today, and the Holy Spirit will fill you today. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 28
HEAVY LADEN
I think all of us have felt that we have had burdens on us that were very heavy and difficult to get free from. When we feel like a load is on our shoulders, Jesus tells us we can put them on Him.
"Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Mat 11:28)
These words from Him give us all hope. We can be in a situation that seems hopeless, but not true because we have this promise from Jesus. We can come to Him, and He alone can give us rest. This verse has to increase our faith in Him, with this promise. Yes, He said if we come to Him we will receive rest with Him.
Have you carried something very heavy and felt the relief of the weight going away from your arms? What a relief to be rid of that weight. Although there was a precise reason you were carrying that heavy load you were happy to let it go. The same is with us carrying heavy burdens, perhaps not knowing why we have them, but the Lord knows He wants us to give them to Him, whether they are physical, financial, or spiritual How wonderful when we get the relief of ridding ourselves of the heaviness at the cross.
Perhaps we are not being burdened but have a family member or loved one that is under a heavy load. Thank You Lord that we can bring their burden to You also. Today we can come to Jesus with our burden or someone else’s burden; we come to Him at the cross in prayer and repentance. Repentance lifts away a heavy load and He will give us rest. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 29
ONLY ROOM FOR ONE
We are God’s children so we are covered and filled with His love. His love that starts for us with His grace, so for God’s children there is only room for one, His Grace.
“But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Rom 5:20)
Although grace is for the saved, sin always tries to move in and take over. Paul tells us that sin is multiple, in other words there is no end to it. But that does not mean that we Christians have to bow down to the enemy where sin exists. Oh no, we don’t have to bow down to the world or the flesh. We have the grace of God that is also multiple, in fact grace can fill all the room in our lives, so there is no room for sin. It is like we are inside a house and sin is a wolf huffing and puffing at the door. Jesus tells us that He is the door, so this enemy at the door has no passage or entrance; there is only room for one and that is grace. The grace of God protects us from all the sin that is abounds. Today is a good day to give thanks for God has grace for all of us, His children. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 30
THE ENEMY HAS A PLAN
With the grace of God we can upset any plan the enemy has with our name on it. John tells us words from the Lord for our encouragement.
"The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (Joh 10:10)
The first part of this verse tells us a clear picture of what the enemy has planned for us. But praise God, Jesus tells us that He will come to us and give us life. We are not stupid we can see clearly how the world is always mistreating Christians. John says the thief wants to steal our peace, our joy and our life. Jesus says everything the enemy wants to steal He will give to us in abundance. Even Christians that have given their lives to Christ must daily account for what we want. We too can be weak and give in to that weakness, which will bring us to a great deal of unhappiness and confusion. Being strong to obtain the abundant life is a prayer life and to stay clothed in our Amour of God and hold our weapons ready for battle against Satan. Today we must be clothed in our amour "Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Eph 6:11) so we can make zero of the enemy’s plan he has for us. Amen.
NUGGET: JUL 31
SELF IDOLS
Were you aware that we can make an idol of ourselves, is that confusing for you?
"Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." (1Ti 3:6)
Timothy was concerned on who would be appointed to what ministry in the church. As the pastor or leader he needed the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction. He needed those who would humbly take their ministry to serve Jesus and the church. To serve in this manner, was very unselfish and always expressing his or her love for all the brothers and sisters. Humility and unselfishness was badly needed their persecuted church.
The church and the Christians were in constant danger. So self made idols only existed with those that expressed pride in their appointments, they would look in the mirror proud and content with what they had accomplished. They were working for themselves and idolizing themselves. Only with prayer and staying close to the cross in repentance and thanksgiving can any man humbly serve Jesus and the church. We must repent of our pride. Perhaps today we need to ask the Holy Spirit for more guidance and direction and follow Him only. Amen.
DAILY NUGGETS
For August
From Revbon
NUGGET: AUG 1
STAND YOUR POST
Sometimes we find it very difficult to stay where God has placed us. Every task in the church is assigned by God. Some of those tasks are not recognized and are almost invisible you may think. But not so if they were not done there would be chaos in God’s house.
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2Ti 4:2-5)
We all are preachers of the Word, but not Pastors. Therefore what Paul was saying, he was not just talking to the Pastor, he was speaking to the whole church all the family in Christ that had tasks to perform to serve the church. Paul said, “in season and out of season,“ in other words, when we are content with what God has asked of us and when we are not very happy about what He has asked of us.
Paul also says we must be watchmen on duty looking out for any crack in the wall of our church where the enemy will sneak in and cause problems. He says while we are being obedient we must endure afflictions and keep to the Word. The Lord is looking to us today and how we are standing at our post. Perhaps there is a weakness that needs correcting in the church. That needs to be prayed about today and convicted by the Holy Spirit. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 2
SOWING AND REAPING
I am a true believer in this concept. The reason for that is the fact I can testify, how this has ruled my life. I truly believe that our habits of kindness and generosity will flow back into our lives. You see I put those together with love and worship; kindness and generosity is for God’s people and love and worship is for God.
“For whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” (Gal 6:7)
Paul was very clear with this message to the church. Obedience and faith must be also a part of the sowing. The church was always in danger at this time and all Christians found it hard to obey the word and to have faith in God. That same condition can arise in our lives. When all seems hopeless we hold fast to the promises of God with our faith in Him. Sometimes the reaping comes late, but never too late.
God sees what we sow and He makes sure as we water the field with faith and the Holy Spirit, the little green spouts will come and they will grow to the time of reaping. Has God asked something of you today that you may find is not easy for you, keep sowing your obedience and keep watering with the Holy Spirit and your faith in God. Also today perhaps there is a place where you can sow kindness and generosity today. With all these seeds shared with love and worship for the Lord they will surely begin to grow and you will see green spouts which will be there for you to reap very soon. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 3
HANG IN THERE
The comment, “hang in there,” can refer to many things. The main concept of this comment is keeping the faith.
“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” (2Co 12:12)
I like the way Paul explains the character of an apostle. First he says an apostle must have patience. That quality is also a blessing. Patience is fruit from the Holy Spirit. Patience must be exercised and practiced. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit to retain patience. Living a prayer life daily will slowly produce patience. Christians are always under attack, and that can and will test our patience. Using prayer as our reply to these constant attacks of the enemy is the first qualification to an apostle.
I believe Paul was telling us the signs or the recognition of an apostle follows the prayer and patience, which is also followed with his word with “wonders” or miracles. Then he says mighty deeds. That refers to power. When we stand our ground and hang in there we receive the power of Christ in our ministries. Our goal as we walk daily with the Lord is to be His apostle, to serve Him first with our faith in the steadfast life of prayer and patience. The rest will follow according to His plans. Today repentance and prayer is your first step to being an apostle for Christ. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 4
HEAD PROTECTION
If we are going out in the cold we put on a lot of warm clothes, also we put on some warm shoes, then at last our head needs also protection from the cold, so we put on our warm hat, pulling it over our ears and down our neck. The Roman soldier didn’t need warm clothes; he needed metal clothes to keep him safe, and a metal helmet for his head’s protection.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:17)
Paul uses the armour of God to tell each of us how important this amour is, for us to dress daily as Christian soldiers. After our breastplate and belt of truth and our shoes of the gospel we need to protect our head with the helmet of salvation. To protect our minds from the darts the enemy tries to hit us with every day we need to be thinking Salvation at the Cross. In fact Paul also says, “let Christ mind be in you.” For us to protect our mind from the enemy we need our thinking to be strong in Christ. When we declare our salvation at the cross that is when the enemy loses his aim and his darts go elsewhere.
Paul also says we carry weapons of the Spirit and the Word of God. Those are what we pick up to take with us after we have on our amour. We cannot have the same strength against the enemy with only our weapons; we can get hurt if we don’t have on the protection of armour of God and the helmet of salvation. With our daily prayers and reading the Bible we are in the process of clothing ourselves for protection from the enemy that has his plans for the day. Today seek the Lord and His strength as you put on the helmet of salvation to protect your head and your thinking. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 5
PRAYER PARTNER
How many times do we come into a place where we can’t or don’t know how to pray to the Lo rd. Jesus said He sent the Holy Spirit as our comforter. When we are sad, or fearful the Holy Spirit comforts us. He will give us words to pray with. Those words come with “tongues”.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Rom 8:26)
When we got saved most of us got baptized in water as Jesus did. After that “water baptism” we have another baptism we can have from God. That is the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the utterance of tongues. Water baptism we do because Jesus asks us, the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” we ask Jesus for. His Holy Spirit baptizes us to be our prayer partner.
He puts the words from other languages in our tongues and those words go directly to the Father. Those words are not of our own language they come from the Holy Spirit and not our thinking. The words don’t sound like a language, but they are. They sound strange to us like groaning and repetitions, but they are words to God in Heaven. Those words have comfort, praise, and power. Praying with tongues, or other words partnering with the Holy Spirit in prayer is supernatural and as children of God, citizens of His Kingdom so are we supernatural. If to have not had ”baptism of the Holy Spirit with the utterance of tongues”, today you can ask Jesus for it, and you should ask for it to get your supernatural prayer partner. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 6
MISSIONARIES AND MISSIONS
How often do you pray and support missions and the missionaries? When you take time in the day to pray for them you are doing them a loving thought.
“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.” (2Th 3:1)
Paul suffered for years in prison and as a prisoner in a house. His freedom was with God and not with man. He needed constant prayer, because he was so mistreated for so many years. He was frozen, starved and beaten during half of his years of ministry. He asked for prayer and that the gospel be freely taught with the Word of God. He wrote this verse to the brethren of the church knowing they too were being persecuted as Christians.
Nothing much has changed for missions and missionaries today. They are suffering just like Paul did. They are also calling out for our prayers so they can survive and spread the gospel in the nations and countries of other gods and religions. We know that the missionaries are always in spiritual warfare against the enemy and the unbelievers. In your prayers today or tonight take time to remember those who are suffering for Christ. You don’t have to know them, to pray for them and love them. Put missionaries and missions on your daily prayer list and remember to pray for them. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 7
INTIMACY WITH GOD
When we think of intimacy, we think of marriage, a husband and wife, in their intimate and romantic relationship.
“But thou, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.” (Mat 6:6)
Most of us have learned to pray in the morning, not in our closet but in our bedroom, before getting up to face the day. The bedroom is the place where intimacy is normal for a man and wife. The bedroom can also be that secret place where their romance is secretly expressed. Bedrooms are a good place for prayer because of the quiet and privacy. How lovely to have God as your own special partner during your quite time in prayer. You can be so intimate with Him and you can be romantic with Him, because He is a partner that listens to every word you have to say to Him.
During your quite time with the Lord you can also listen to Him and every word He says. The reward in this verse, which Jesus was referring to, is the perfection in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. When we are with Him and He is present with us we are so perfectly rewarded. Finding that quite place for our quite time with the Lord will always be the most rewarding time of our busy day. If you have not had that quite time with the Lord today, you should lay down all your agenda and take time to have that intimate time with Him, and receive your reward. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 8
EARLY HYMNS
There have been millions of hymns and gospels songs written. The early church also had a hymn written by Paul and recorded in Second Timothy.
“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abides faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (2Ti 2:11-13)
When we read the words to this song we may not think it is like any hymn or gospel song we know. This song has no joy, no praise, and no worship that is the kind of hymns we like. Why would Paul write a hymn like this? We must remember who he wrote it too and who was singing it in church.
This song reminds the brethren that one day they too may be a martyr for Christ, they may have to die for their faith. Perhaps you think that was for then only, but no that hymn is for us Christian living in a world of unbelievers. There are many Christians that are suffering for their faith in the entire world, in all countries and nations. Every race and every colour of Christians, in every place on earth could be persecuted today for their beliefs and their faith. We are the elite, born again Christians hated by the world. Today Paul’s hymn is for us. By faith we can follow what Paul was trying to teach the early church in this hymn. By faith we can trust in the Lord and we can go with the Holy Spirit, the path that was designed just for us. Stay in prayer and stay strong. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 9
STEADY AS YOU GO
Have you times when it seems as though your faith is failing you, and you are saying I want to trust in the Lord but everything is piled up against me. Then the Lord says, “steady as you go.”
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Heb 10:38-39)
Christians that have committed their lives to the Lord and want to follow His lead follow Him by faith. Paul tells us that to live by faith is living a just life, pleasing to the Lord. On the other hand he tells that the Lord has no pleasure in a quitter, a back slider. Paul is very direct in this verse, anyone drawing back or backsliding is a “stink” unto the Lord. Then he finishes the verse with an encourage word “; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
Some Christians think they are the only ones with problems; they whine and complain to others with no patience for the Lord to work on their problems, or answer their prayers. Faith and patience go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other. Trusting in the Lord strengthens your faith and patience. Our love for Christ and our faith in Him sends a sweet smell to his nostrils. Paul says that lack of faith, patience and trust in the Lord, sends a stink in the nostrils. That is what “backsliders” smell like to Him, a stink. Today as you are sailing through life “steady as you go” and stay strong in the Lord. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 10
HASTE MAKES MISTAKES
Do you find when you want something done quickly, in most cases it is not done well?
“Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.” (1Ti 5:22)
When we apply for a job the boss might say, “I will give you a trial period to see how this is for you.” God is like that also. The boss has two reasons to give you a trial period, one to see how you are doing the job and two to let you know if you like it and want to continue working for him. Paul was saying the same to the brethren in the church.
When they believed that God wanted them to a special task in the church, there needed to a trial period, to see if they were happy in the position and to see if the leadership was happy with them after this trial period then they can be anointed for the position, by laying on hands and blessing them. Too many times the tasks are given for the wrong reasons and there is unrest in the church, because of this. When the unrest enters the body so does sin. Today if there is a need in the church make sure that need is being filled by God appointed position for the brother or sister, not a man appointed position. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 11
DRAW YOUR SWORD
I think we have all been in a situation where we wanted to bring forth a Word from the Bible, that we believe was right at the time.
“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:17)
As a Christian soldier daily dressed in the armour of God we are still in need of our weapon to thrust into our enemy the devil. You may think that Roman soldiers fought with swords like you see in the movies. Not so, all that battling back and forth didn’t really exist with a Roman soldier. He took his sword and thrust it into his enemy. One jab and his enemy was down.
Paul had the same idea for us to thrust the Word of God into any situation where the devil was attacking. Jesus was attacked three times in the wilderness, each time he replied, “It is written.” He took out His spiritual sword of the Word of God and Satan was taken down and fled from our Lord. That is the same weapon we posses to daily bring our enemy down. Today and everyday be ready for battle. Know your Bible, read it daily. When you are under attack “draw your sword.” Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 12
FOLLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT
Truly the only way to follow the Holy Spirit is to start praying.
“And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.” (Luk 5:16)
To follow the Holy Spirit, we must follow our Lord Jesus Christ example. He said, ”I am the way,” in others words I am the one to follow. His path is the narrow path He told us about. That is the one path where we walk single file following Him.
David said, “Ye that I walk in the valley of death I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.” (Ps 23) David was speaking of the Holy Spirit. When we follow Jesus in our quiet time and prayer, we can hear what the Spirit has to say and we can follow His lead that day. Jesus was our example for daily prayer. He always withdrew from others and prayed to the Father in secret, the Holy Spirit led Him to His next task or miracle. Today we too can pray in secret and be led by Him and we can follow the Him. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 13
WHO IS YOUR BENCH PARTNER
Have you found that when God calls you to a task, He always gives you a partner in that same task?
“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (1Co 4:1)
In the days of Paul the word “ministers” did not mean the same as we use it today. In fact the word Paul used was in Greek, ”primal.” That word minister referred to criminals that sat in the bottom of ships and were chained together on a bench, they were the power to make the ship move. Their rowing in one united group, two and two on a bench is how the ship arrived to its destination.
Paul knew the Lord would be calling some of the brethren to different tasks, to crush their pride; he referred to them as outcasts. He knew pride was an enemy in the church. If you are a minister for Christ, I am also. We need our bench partners to do God’s work and to make dreams and visions to go forward in our church and our community. Today is your opportunity to embrace a bench partner, pray with them, stay with them and together fill your task for Christ. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 14
RED CARPET DAY IN HEAVEN
Have ever wondered when Heaven put out a red carpet for the first time? They put out after the cross.
“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2:15)
Heaven brought out that red carpet when Jesus came back to Heaven with all the souls that were released from Satan. Jesus opened those gates in hell and all the patriots and prophets were free to go with Jesus. The dead in the grave rose up when Jesus died. All of this happened with a victory march through the Pearly Gates on that Good Friday. Jesus died overcoming all the darkness upon the earth.
Today I was born; when I was 40 years old I was born again, so now I celebrate two birthdays. So that is my celebration. Jesus died on the cross then he celebrated in His Heavenly Father’s house, there was song, music and dancing; they were singing, “We have overcome, the enemy is gone, Jesus is the King.” We can sing that same song today with our celebrations of the Cross and Christ. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 15
NO BRAINS
Just how smart must you be to serve the Lord? Do you have to be well educated to for God to use you?
“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (1Co 1:27)
This verse from Paul, tells us the qualifications to serve the Lord can be foolish and weak. The word foolish here means not completely developed, not very serious. Like a boy rose in a temple and another raised in the fields with his sheep, just young lads, and God used them both.
Perhaps you are not very serious yet you love the Lord, therefore He has use for you. Or whatever brains are required the Holy Spirit will give you. Wisdom comes as a gift not super intelligence. Well educated people are what the world is looking for, not to serve God but to serve the world. God is looking for faithfulness and purity which is despised by the world. Look into your heart today, do you love the Lord are you faithful to Him, is your life full of the world and worldly things or is your life full of God and spiritual things. Have a good look into your heart today, and pray for His Spirit over your brains. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 16
RECEIVING JESUS
I am sure that you are like me and really are happy when you receive a gift.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (Joh 1:12)
This verse from John tells us that we cannot have a greater gift than Jesus. First we have a Heavenly Father and become His children. Then as we receive our gift, Jesus, we also receive His power and the authority to use His name. Can you think of a greater gift to receive?
Receiving Jesus is the beginning of a new life, you are a new born Christian, and you will begin to have a new vocabulary with other Christians. You can be baptized also with Holy Spirit, speaking in an unknown Heavenly language. You have the Name of Jesus to overcome all evil and darkness, and the power in His name to heal the sick. You will learn to give and forgive as a new creation. The list goes on and on with this gift of Jesus. Now today you can thank God for your gift His beloved Son the Lamb of God. Give thanks. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 17
SCARE HIM BACK TO HELL
Do you know that Satan hates that we are fulfilling the purpose God has called us to. When we follow Christ stay strongly committed to do as God have assigned, Satan hates it.
“Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things.” (2Ti 1:11-12)
Paul knew his calling, preacher, apostle, and teacher. He also knew that he was always a target; Satan constantly did everything to destroy his ministry. That is why he tells us that he is still suffering for Christ. We may not be called to all that Paul was called to in his ministry, but whatever we are called for; we still will suffer at the inconveniences caused by Satan.
With complete determination and commitment to our ministries given to us by the Lord, Satan is scared off; we can scare him back to hell. Preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, Paul infuriated Satan, and he was scared off to a powerless opposition. How did he do that? He did it with the prayers and filling up of the Holy Spirit, to guide him daily. Today we also can scare the devil back to hell with our prayers and our receiving the Holy Spirit for guidance and power. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 18
THE DEVIL HAS NO PLACE
We can keep the devil out of our lives, as Christians he has no place in our lives.
“Neither give place to the devil.” (Eph 4:27)
Paul knew that to lock out the devil in the church or the brethren’s lives, actually started with the relationships in the church. The unity of the body was how they could stay strong and hold out the enemy. There are three things that break down unity in the body. Number one PRIDE. We know how pride can affect a relationship. That problem comes up in families as well as the body of Christ. Even in the leadership pride can cause great disturbance in the church.
Then there is JEALOUSY in the leadership also which can break down the body and cause a lack of trust in the church. At last there is UNFORGIVENESS, which is the worst of all sins allowed in our churches. In many cases that unforgiveness takes root with the families then grows within body where the Holy Spirit cannot rule. What is going on in your church? Does your church need to repent one or all of these things? Do you need to pray about these today to be released from them out of your life, so the devil has no place. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 19
WE ALL NEED A LITTLE HELP
Many tasks that I have had, I gladly gave thanks for any help I could have with them. I have many limitations, but yet I know God has given me dreams and visions of things I know I will need help from others to fulfil them.
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.” (Rom 12:3)
Paul was a great man of God and yet he was the one that tells us to be humble and not think so highly of ourselves when we do something for the Lord. As I said I need help at times, and I ask for help when I need it. You might not think much of what I just said, but it is very easy that we find we are good at something and start thinking highly of ourselves because of it. Nothing we do, God has not done before us. I had a saying when I cooked, “if it is good, glorify God, and if it is not good blame me.”
All my writings in the last 20 years I believe are given from the Holy Spirit through the grace of God. I am amazed sometimes with what I have written, but I remember the Holy Spirit, He is not my secretary, I am His, He is my provider. Just because I am putting it on paper does not mean I am the composer. To get my writings in a book I need help and I need to ask others for that help. If God has called you to do something He has also called others to help you. Today you can prayer for guidance of the Holy Spirit for your next assignment from the Lord and who will help you with it. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 20
WHERE DO YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY?
Most people would reply to me with this question “none of your business.” We don’t have to tell others where we spend our money and we don’t have to tell God either.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Mat 6:21)
These are the words of Jesus recorded by Matthew. So true that our treasures and money are very important to us, in other words they are a heart thing. When the preacher starts a sermon on tithing and offerings on a Sunday morning the congregation starts getting uneasy in their seats. Talking about money is not a popular theme in church. As I said money is a heart thing. The things that lay of great importance in your heart is what you spend your money. We all have to spend money to live, food, shelter and security. But do we handle of needs and finances or do we let God handle them?
The first thing God asks for is 10% of our earnings, does that make sense to pray to Him for our needs and then Give Him the money we need. If you ask those who tithe weekly and monthly, “How can you give so much to God and still have everything you need?” They will answer, “We don’t know, God has a different accounting system than we have, but we always have what we need and more.” I will say they have put the Lord first in their hearts; therefore they also have put Him first in their budgets. I am sure today would be a good day to talk with the Lord about your finances and where you spend your money. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 21
WHAT IS YOUR MINISTRY?
Did you know that if you are a Christian, repented and committed your life to Christ, you have a ministry? Do remember Jesus saying He was not here to be served, but He was here to serve?
“Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God.” (2Co 6:3-4)
Paul was concerned about the reputation of the church. He wanted the leadership to know that it is very important that no offensive words or acts could be involved in their ministry. In other words, “keep your slate clean.” What do you know about the ministries in the leadership of the church?
First the tithes and offerings ministry must be carefully handled and the finances must be consciously considered for every need in administering the wellbeing of the church. Second would be the ministry of preaching the Gospel, the teachings that are shared with the congregation must be the message of the Cross and the Blood of Christ, that is the true Gospel and nothing else from the pulpit should be taught.
Third is the ministry for the people, this ministry can be public or private, but it must be done in excellence as to honour the throne of God and the King of Kings. There is also a ministry of the saints, in which all the body of the church is ministering to one another. Then there is the ministry of angels, who minister to those in the church that are suffering. Angels ministered to Jesus, when He was suffering in the garden. At last there is the ministry of Jesus, those that take full authority in Jesus Name to minister to the body; all these ministries are needed in the church to make it an excellent house for the Lord. So now today we have to answer that question, “What is your ministry?” Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 22
TRAMPING ON TEMPTATION
Oh, how we all struggle with temptations, don’t let them beat you up; remember Jesus also had to resist temptations in the desert.
“There has been no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able. (1Co 10:13)
I like the encouragement that Paul writes to the brethren in this verse. As we are lovers of the Lord, so the enemy will present temptations every day. Paul wants us to know that when we resist the devil, he will be gone. Paul tells us God is faithful, in other words, as long as you are resisting temptations, He will strengthen you to overcome them.
You can be tempted in the flesh to prefer your desires over God’s desires; your life will be a mess. We can have temptations with our emotions, with selfishness and greed, or the most common is sexual temptations, now, out of these we can choose, are our desires in accordance with God’s desires? Are you fighting with temptation today? Do you need to repent and pray to be able to tramp on those temptations? Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 23
ARE YOU READY TO LEAD?
Have you thought about being a leader in your church? Have you a private life that can be exposed to the public?
“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (1Co 4:1)
Paul was telling the brethren and leaders in the church that they must be accountable to others concerning their private lives and their ministries. The private life of a leader is involved with their marriage, children and home life. They must be accountable for their finances and tithing. Also they must be open about their physical condition. In other words a leader lives in life of prayer and perfect fellowship.
Leaders need prayer partners and confidants with other leaders, but they don’t need a lot of secrets that can present gossip or backbiting within the church. Cliques or Holy Huddles are not acceptable in God’s House. Although we know Intercessors, prayer teams and prayer warriors are obligated to confidential privacy for everyone in the church. The comment “my private life is my private life, only for me and my family, not for the church” is not the attitude of a church leader. I agree with Paul, but most Christians think they will be judged for any mistake they make, therefore they begin the cliques in the church looking for those that they feel more comfortable with. Everyone wants a measure of privacy and is very entitled to it. When we account for our lives to be leaders in the church, we must ask the Lord what He wants changed in our lives. Today we can repent, pray and start making those
changes. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 24
AIN’T NOTHIN YET
Paul knew only a small part of what was coming in the world. He also knew not all Christians would survive the persecution of Christian’s in the future.
“That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” (2Th 2:2)
Paul is telling the church not to be shaken or surprised at what would be coming. He says keep your mind clear of fear and trouble; think only of Jesus and His coming. Truly there is no difference of what we are exercising every day. We see evil and we hear evil and now we may be facing evil also.
Our churches and Christians are constantly being persecuted and punished. Most of the writings of Paul were to encourage the brethren and the church, but this time he is warning them. We need our armour of God strapped tightly on us and our sword and shield grasped securely. Our thinking must be filled with praise and worship. Our hearts filled with joy and thanksgiving. Are you prepared to face the world fully armoured? Are you prayed up and protected before leaving your house today? Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 25
PLEASING THE LORD
Is there anything better in our life than pleasing the Lord? We do spend a lot of time pleasing others, which is good if it is in line of pleasing God.
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Php 3:14)
Paul wanted the brethren to be committed to their church in the same way a runner is committed to win his race. In fact Paul has referred to his stewardship as a runner in a race with the prize as the goal, which he meant would be after death. But here in this verse he refers to the race as the very calling to his ministry serving the Lord Jesus Christ and that pressing forward will surely give him that prize which he knew would come after his death.
Paul was committed to his ministry and Rome law was committed to end his life as a Christian. Paul’s goal was to please God and His Kingdom not the Emperor of Rome. Paul was a humble leader of the church. He was honest about his ministry, his accomplishments and his failures, and he hoped the same humility would be with the brethren and the leadership, because he knew the suffering in their future would break them if they were proud of their accomplishments in the church. When we like Paul can spend more time on our knees than on the pulpit, (which is an American expression, telling others what to do) we too will be able to receive our suffering and still please God. When we are on our knees we cannot judge others or measure them to ourselves, which is what can happen if we spend too much time on the pulpit, we get proud. Where are you today in your prayer time? Where should you be to please God and stay in the race? Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 26
THE DEVIL’S GOAL
We have talked about our goal is to please God, so what do you think the Devil’s goal is? Yes, to displease Him.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph 6:11)
The Devil cannot displease God on his own; he needs us to help him, to assist him in his plans. Paul tells us to put on the armour of God, to protect us from the Devil’s plans as he has to use us. Yes the armour is strong enough to keep his attacks off us. But have you ever thought what you would look like in the armour?
You may think of that armour to be shiny attire, but no, it is not shiny, it is bloody and battle scared because the Lord wore it before He gave it to us. He knows it will stand the attacks of the Devil because that is where the battle scars came from. That is why Paul refers it to the armour of God, because it is used in battle. Paul tell us the breastplate, which protects our hearts, is His Righteousness, it is stained with the blood of the Lord. This armour is not for special use it is for everyday attire. Every morning with prayer we need to take on the armour, because every day the Devil has a plan of attacks. Today when you get, get fully dressed and protected with amour of God. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 27
THOSE WHO COMPROMISE
Do you know Christians that compromise with the world? There are many, they are like the Nicolaitans of Ephesus.
But this thou hast, that thou hates the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” (Rev 2:6)
I am afraid this movement of the Nicolaitans has grown rapidly in the Christian environment. In this verse Jesus is speaking to John on the island of Patmos. What was wrong with these Christians is what is wrong with the largest group of Christians in the world; they compromise with salvation, and truth of the Cross. Jesus said He hates their deeds and teaching which demeans the message of the Cross. Paul tells us we hate the doctrines and principles of unbelievers, but we don’t hate the people they are the ones we pray for. They are backsliders, still claiming to be Christians.
We can hear daily the churches that compromise with homosexuality, abortion and infidelity. These all are horrible sins and need to be understood that Jesus overcame them on the Cross. Same-sex marriage is an abomination unto God and cannot be accepted in the church. The killing of unborn children is no different to that of the child sacrifices of the barbarian sects. Sex outside of marriage is an impure act that needs repentance and reformation. All these are the main sins accepted in the compromising churches that the Lord calls Nicolaitans and that He hates. Perhaps you are not compromising in these things but maybe in something else that you need to repent for today. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you stop your compromising today and renew your relationship with Jesus. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 28
WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH
Enough is never enough in the life time for a servant of Christ.
“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (1Co 4:1)
Perhaps you recall this verse from August 13th. This verse is referring to faithful servants of the Lord. All work can be trying and questionable, is this worth it? Physical labour usually has to do with our livelihood, provision, home, family and comfort. But there can also physical labour in the church, maintaining God’s House. Members of the body and leadership question, ”am I appreciated for all my labours?” Once again Paul tells us that we are accounted as stewards and ministers for Christ, He appreciates us. Wow I like the thought that Jesus appreciates me for serving in my church.
As we age and get older the joy of serving Christ does not weaken, in fact I think with age we are more joyous in our tasks and ministries for Christ and the church. Perhaps the body has not recognized our efforts. Paul only had a handful that supported him and appreciated his contributions to the church constantly writing letters and concerned in their well being. Paul said he had run a straight race, knowing he would be executed by Rome in the near future. What he didn’t say was that he had had enough; he was tired and no longer could be concerned with church or brethren. For Paul there was no end to his race or his ministry; never could there be enough. Today whatever God has called you to do to serve Him, in your home, church or community don’t “jump ship” don’t give up. God appreciates you and your faithfulness. Keep up with your entire good servant hood to the Lord and when you are in Heaven with Him, He will say, ”Now is enough.” Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 29
THE PAIN OF BITTERNESS
Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Is there someone who will not accept your forgiveness? Whichever there is, there is pain.
“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” (Heb 12:15)
I have made a decision in my life, that concerning one person that I love and will not forgive me, after all my efforts to ask their forgiveness. Although I have pain because of our broken relationship and miss them daily, I refuse to be bitter because of my pain. If I let my heart fill up with bitterness my love for them would no longer exist. My love for them is more important to me that revenge or bitterness. My love for them with my prayers may one day bring them back and we can renew our relationship.
How could God forgive me in my filthy rags of sin? He forgave me with His amazing grace; when Paul asked God to remove “the thorn in his flesh” God replied, “My Grace is sufficient.” In all painful paths that we must travel we will never have to go without God’s grace to strengthen us. Paul says for us to look diligently within our hearts so no sin can take root there. Today we need to do that and repent for any bitter sin. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 30
ALLOWED TO BE PROUD
We know that pride is sin, but Paul tells us we are allowed to be proud at times.
“So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.” (2Th 1:4)
What child of royalty is not quick to say my family is royal; perhaps my auntie is the Queen. We as Christians also are family with royalty. Our Father is God, our Brother is the King of Kings and our best friend is the Holy Spirit. All of them reside in the Kingdom of Heaven and sit on a throne. There in the throne room we also have a place to sit with them. So who do I share all this with concerning what I am proud of. I share it with my church and my fellow sisters and brothers. Did I say “sisters and brothers?” Wow, that makes them royals also!
Although when Paul tells the church to be proud, he says be proud of your tribulations and persecutions. He says it is your faithfulness and patience that brought you through the sufferings. You remember Jesus says He would reward us as the loyal servant true and faithful. So today when you share with pride about your royal family you can also share your miracles getting through all your sufferings. You could only do it by trusting the Lord and relying on the Holy Spirit every day. Amen.
NUGGET: AUG 31
HOW ROCKY IS YOUR ROAD?
When we use the comment “glory to glory” we consider from one problem solved now to next problem. But is that right?
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Co 3:18)
We may think that on our walk with Christ will take us on a rocky road. We are always looking out for chuckholes and cracks that can trip us up. I think about this verse and I see it differently. I see that the longer the road goes the fewer hazards there are in the road and actually it gets smoother with every mile or every test. I believe that as we carry on walking we get closer to the Holy Spirit and find we are going from “glory to glory” with every new revelation and message we get from the Holy Spirit, who glorifies the Lord. Everything we receive from the Holy Spirit takes us from “glory to glory.” That rocky road can get better the closer you are with the Holy Spirit, today you can go from “glory to glory “ just listening to the Lord in your prayer time. Amen.
DAILY NUGGETS
For September
From Revbon
NUGGET: SEP 1
OUR SPIRITUAL GUIDE
We are finishing up summer vacation. The last three months was “fun and sun.” Now we all are getting back to work, school and our Bible classes. We need someone with us to guide us and strengthen us for the coming season.
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.” (Joh 16:13)
This time of the year everything will be picking up the pace, everything going faster. We all need the Holy Spirit to guide and quicken our steps. When we go into the Gospels we can follow the footsteps of Jesus in His three years of ministry. We can follow His teachings, His miracles and His last words in the Garden of Gesetheme. Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit and gained His strength from the Holy Spirit to walk the Viva Rosa to Calvary.
Jesus could not have survived or endured His three years of ministry throughout His journey in Israel without the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit. When I say Jesus needed the Holy Spirit, don’t you think we also need Him? The Holy Spirit led Christ, He led the disciples and the apostles, and He undoubtedly led Paul. None of them could do what they did and endure what they endured without the Holy Spirit. They all prayed for the Holy Spirit to be with them. Starting this new season we must also inquire, through our prayers to the Holy Spirit, what we do faster, where do we go faster and how do we follow the steps of Christ in our daily lives. Today is the most important day of your life, because the Holy Spirit wants to be with you and be your Spiritual guide and answer all your questions. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 2
MISREPRESENTATION
It is very easy to forget to tell the whole truth or to add on something that can be a little more exciting when telling a story. We tell stories because we want to spend time with other people and to perhaps impress them at the same time.
“Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds.” (Col 3:9)
When we want to talk with other Christian we should be able to have their attention when we are speaking of the Cross and Salvation. That is a subject all Christians like talking about. When you are using the Word of God as your storybook, you don’t have to worry about the truth. God’s Word is the truth. As a new Christian all the books of fiction should be left on the shelf and the Bible will be your constant reading material. As you learn Gods Word, all your stories will not carry anymore importance in your life.
Misrepresenting the truth whether it is about you or someone else will now prick you like a pin, “ouch” that was a lie. Lying will cease with those painful pin pricks. It is the Holy Spirit that pricks you, that is His way of convicting you of sin, and lying is sin. If you are misrepresenting yourself or someone else you need to pray today to the Lord for help and His conviction through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 3
DON’T LOOK BACK
One of the tricks the Devil uses to break down our faith in the Lord is to constantly remind us of our mess in the past.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1Pe 5:8)
We all have messes from the past. That is why we repent and ask forgiveness so He can repair the messes and we can start over again. The enemy, that Peter calls our adversary, doesn’t want to see us repent or start over again. Peter tells us to be awake and on watch for the enemy. He refers to the Devil as a roaring lion, looking for his prey. The Devil wants us as his prey, he wants to devour us, chew us up and spit us out so we will be worthless to serve the Lord. He is a nasty fellow and he wants to remind us of our nasty past.
Peter says the Devil is our adversary, like in a courtroom where we are being accused of all the things we have done, but now are forgiven for. The adversary is trying to get the judge to sentence us to failure. On the other hand we have Jesus, we have faith and therefore we are not failures we are winners. Today on our knees we can put the past out of our lives and never look back except to give thanks to Jesus for His forgiveness and the Cross. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 4
THE BITTER TASTE OF BITTERNESS
Did you know that the smallest thought of jealousy can plant a seed in your heart to grow to bitterness?
“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” (Heb 12:15)
Paul was always concerned with the attitudes of the brethren leading in the church. Ambitions can be good for the church if done for the right reasons which would exclude pride. The churches Paul was concerned about were all being persecuted and in danger from the Romans. The slightest controversy in the church could be fatal for the body. Paul says that the brethren must always be an example of God’s Grace, to the whole body. Each brother has a task to do to make the church run smoothly. Not all the tasks are pleasant, but must be done. This is where the words of Christ come alive speaking of servant-hood. Humility is a main factor in servant hood. Are we humble or do we think that some else should do the lower tasks. Don’t think like that or you could become bitter. Check yourself today and be happy in your servant hood position. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 5
PREPARING FOR PURPOSE
Have asked yourself, “What is God’s purpose for me?” God has a purpose for all of us, but are we equipped to take on the purpose He has for us?
“That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Ti 3:17)
We know that Paul has said we must have on our armour daily. Here in this verse he says we must be perfect, “thoroughly furnished.” Another way to say this is to say “you must be thoroughly equipped.” We need to learn how to fight and protect ourselves from the enemy. Putting on our armour is not enough to face our enemy in battle. Each soldier is properly trained for his position in the army, not just as a member of the army, but as an instrument fully instructed ready to battle against his foe, or adversary.
So each Christian soldier is called to minister in different areas, serving and surviving with praying, laying on hands, healing, worshiping, teaching and preaching, each one is in need of the others. No ministry can survive on its own. In your prayer time today perhaps you need new instructions from the Holy Spirit to complete your task or ministry the Lord has called you for. We also need to learn to handle our equipment, as we take on our calling and know who has God assigned to be with us? Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 6
SAFE BEHIND THE SHIELD
In most cases when one stands behind something for protection it is because they believe they are being protected from something stronger than they are.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Eph 6:16)
Paul was writing with a different thought about this shield. The darts from the devil were not stronger than us, but they were agitating us, and we have the power with faith to protect ourselves from this agitation. When we have our shield of faith up we are able to get on with our daily tasks.
Not many of us are constantly facing a giant in our lives like a deadly sickness or poverty, those things need more than just our shield they need the Army of God in faith to face the enemy. But we have our daily tasks and family, work and church and it is there that the enemy tries to agitate us so we cannot get on serving the Lord and our loved ones. Our faith on a daily basis is in place when we start the day in prayer and the Word of God. Putting on the armour of God in His Word and picking up our sword and shield equips us so we “quench” any and every thing the devil has planned to distract or agitate us from following God’s plans for us today. In your prayers today ask the Lord to strengthen your faith and be safe behind the His shield all day. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 7
LAY LOW THEN STRIKE
When I was young I was not afraid of snakes, in fact living in the country we liked to catch grass snakes and make them pets.
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Mat 10:16)
Sometimes when we read the Word of God, we get it very quickly, but at other times we need to spend more time with the Holy Spirit to get the full meaning of what it says. These words from Jesus also need to be studied to understand His full intentions for His disciples and us. We know a little about sheep and how dumb they are, always in need of their shepherd to get them to their food during the day and back home in the evening.
So I think of Jesus saying, ”Be as sheep always in need of your shepherd, the Holy Spirit.” Then He changes our image from a dumb sheep into a wise serpent. I thought when I was young catching grass snakes I was smarter than they were, but how many did I catch and how many got away? They got away because they were smarter than me. So I think the Lord was saying when we make it our life’s agenda to join the flock then we become one of them, but we mustn’t forget that it is the Holy Spirit (Shepherd) we need to follow not just the flock. He will not lead us in the wrong direction but they can.
I thought grass snakes lived in the grass because they safe there and that is their best environment where they can grow. That too is for us, wisdom does not come with the flock it comes with the territory. We learn from the Holy Spirit what is best for us and we move in that territory, until we are full grown. If all the grass snakes lived in one place, we couldn’t step in the grass. No, they grow and move on to new territory to where they can slowly inhabit (lay low) a new environment. They are growing into adulthood, so they can find their food and live. As we grow in our life with Jesus we too will grow wise and will know when it is time to change our environment. If you are in a time of your life where you are asking God for a change, you need to be very sure you have grown in wisdom with the Spirit enough to make that change, so you won’t starve and die, spiritually. We are all dependent on the Holy Spirit for our growth in Christ, for our survival every day. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 8
A CHILD OF GOD DOESN’T COMPETE
Perhaps when you hear others telling their testimonies or sharing a time they spent with the Lord, you think I must not be a very good Christian, because those things don’t happen to me.
“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (1Co 1:27)
When we look back in the Old Testament to all the stories of people’s lives there we would not think of them of being leaders in our church. I mean they were thieves, murders, prisoners and outcasts, and God called on them to lead His people and His nation. Paul even goes further and says, none were smart, none were mighty or none were noble when God called them.
Samuel was called when he was about six years old, Samson was a rebel, David a small shepherd boy, and Daniel in exile, all of them became great men for God. Paul also tells us that the weak and foolish gain strength and wisdom when they answer God’s call as Paul did on the road to Damascus. God’s gift of grace is for His precious child, which is for you and me. Each gift can be quite different and at no time has the Lord thought of us competing with each other with our Spiritual gifts. If you are not sure what God’s gift is for you or what He has called you to do for Him? Today, you can bow down to Him and ask Him, “Lord what can I do for You today? And give it my very best shot.” Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 9
LOVE FIRST
Jesus was a very Spirit filled man in the flesh. What I just said most Christians have forgotten, they have forgotten that He was a man in the flesh before His ministry and filling of the Spirit. His humility was His known character until the day He changed water into wine. From that day He was full ministry and His name was being spread throughout the country.
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, (agape love) I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” (1Co 13:1)
This was the humble man Jesus who walks throughout the land of Israel, loving thousands of suffering people, or bound with sickness. Yet this was the Son of God who never put His royal position before the love of the people.
Do you know those Spiritual sisters and brothers that only have time for their positions in the church, but little time to show Christian love to the flock? They mostly use the comments “me, me and I.” They tell others how good God is to them but have no time to be good to others. In your prayer time today ask the Lord, “Is there something I can do less for myself and do more for others in their needs?” Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 10
LOVE IS ALL WE NEED
We need to sometimes look back to the cross, to find true love.
“Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up.” (1Co 13:4)
I know everyone has their own picture in their spirit of Jesus on the cross, the picture of our Saviour, the Lamb of God and the son of Mary that died for the sins of the world. These things are all true, but the picture that Paul saw when writing this chapter was Christ on the cross as the “unfailing love of God.” Love that suffered for hours on the cross. No man has lived that has the agape love of God except Christ Jesus. So there is a picture for us to follow, a goal for us to fight for, a heart that is filled with the love of God. When we prayer daily we need to pray for that heart of God to be our heart. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 11
SOUNDING BRASS
Do you happen to know a “so called Christian?”
“Love does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.” (1Co 13:5)
Unseemly behaviour in the church indicates the same bad behaviour we would find in the home, school or work place. So with rudeness, loud and self centred, all those kinds of behaviour would be unseemly. But the most unseemly behaviour of a Christian is with the tongue, pride and jealousy, which lacks kindness, to the point that what others have to say or want to share is ignored or rejected. Kindness, goodness and love are not found in a “so called Christian.” Jesus on the cross at Calvary was and is the ultimate picture of love which should be the ultimate goal of a Christian. What is your goal today, have you prayed concerning your behaviour in your church or as a Christian? Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 12
MESSED UP WITH PRIDE
Have you looked back at instincts that made unhappy days in your life?
“Love is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.” (1Co 13:5)
You might not have thought that with all those things that happened in the past were mostly based on pride, yours or some else’s pride. What pride is rooted in is the lack of love for others, only love for myself. Pride taking root in a relationship is provoked with fear. The reason we get proud is because we are fearful of rejection in a relationship.
When we look at our needs in a relationship, when they are not met, we become fearful, and then we look differently at the relationship and begin to let a proud and controlling spirit change us. That spirit is from the depts. of darkness and evil. This condition in darkness pride, control and fear, stamps out love. These relationships can exist in our church, home, work, and with loved ones. If there are any hurt or unhappy feelings within you today in a relationship, you can pray for the Lord to set you free and heal the pain. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 13
REAL LOVE
How do you feel when you see or hear of people who have done something wrong to you or others. Do you ask God to punish them because of their wrong doing?
“Love rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.” (1Co 13:6)
Paul writes in this chapter about the “agape love.” I wonder if we really understand just what that is. We know the agape love represents the love of God. We believe that like the young rich man who followed Jesus and spoke with Him in Luk 18:19-23. This young man told Jesus he was and is always doing the right thing.
We believe when we are kind and generous to others praying for their needs, we are showing the love of God to them. That is only half true, because the love of God is not only for those who love but it is also for the sinner who has sinned against us and Him. The question is, “Do you love your enemy and pray for them?” That is what Paul was saying in this verse, we are not to rejoice when someone that has done something wrong to us “gets back their own.”
People do things that are bad and very unkind to others; therefore the Lord says “pray for them not against them.” Can you rejoice that God still loves those who have hurt you; can you still pray for their well being? The Lord tells us, “The truth will set you free,” that truth is that God still loves them as He loves you. That should be our prayer today, “Lord help me still love them as You still love them.” Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 14
ANOTHER SHIELD OF GOD
We already know Paul has given us a shield of faith in Eph.6:16 for protection against the fiery darts of the devil.
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1Co 13:7)
In Greek the translation for this word “bears” means ”to cover” like a shield. So Paul was telling us that the love of God covers us with complete protection. When we are covered with this verse from Paul, what can harm us? Nothing! In this verse he says the agape love of God covers us, in truth, faith and strength.
The love of God is not blind to our difficulties and problems but His love gives us the faith in a protected place to regain the truth of who we are in Christ. When a storm is blowing against us we need the shield, we need a place of safety where we can rest and regain the strength of truth, spend more time with Lord at His feet and listen to His words, “Peace, be still,” so the storm will cease and we can continue our walk with Him in the sunshine. Perhaps you need that rest in the protection of God’s love today. Pray for that peace, faith and truth that will shield you until the storm has passed. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 15
LOVE NEVER FAILS
We know love in a relationship can fail us, and we at times feel the same of God’s love when we pray.
“Charity never failed: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1Co 13:8)
Paul always wrote to the church and brethren to encourage them. He knew their lives were very difficult and they were always in danger. How do you tell the church God’s love never fails when one of their brothers are in prison in Rome. Paul goes to the extent to say that even the prophecies can fail us, the tongues can fail us, as well as our own intellect of God’s word can fail us, but not His love. All the things Paul mentions here in this verse are from man seeking God. Therefore we can get it wrong.
The prophets of old were still the words the church believed in, and the Lord said all these things will come to pass. The persecuted church of Paul’s time began to doubt these prophecies of the prophets and the Lord’s return. Some of them were even falling away. “Hang in there” was always Paul’s message, stay strong, and here he goes even further saying, ”The love of God will not fail you.” Perhaps that is the same message you need today. If you are feeling alone or with a problem, speak to the Lord, He is ready to comfort you, to embrace you and to listen to you in your prayers, because, ”He is the agape love” that never fails. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 16
CHOICES CAN BE CHALLENGING
How many times have you thought, “Do I really have a choice?”
“For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Php 1:23-24)
How many ministers that have suffered for Christ as Paul did? Paul was surely tired at times in the appalling conditions of his life in prison. Paul would have like to change his environment from prison to Paradise. He longed for the comfort and warmth of Heaven, the tasty food and clean atmosphere. Then on the other hand he was not finished with his vision for the seven churches.
Paul knew it was OK to dream of Heaven then, arise and get on with what God had called him to do from the visit he encountered on the road to Damascus. You see actually Paul said in verse 23, ”I have a choice,” then in verse 24 he confesses, he doesn’t have a choice. He was committed to the Lord and serving Him to the end, whenever that will be. Now how is your commitment to the Lord? Are you dreaming of Heaven instead of harvesting? Do you need a boost from the Holy Spirit to help you stay in the race? Repenting today and asking for more presence of the Lord in your life would be a very good start. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 17
A SPLIT TONGUE
Who do you know that always agrees with you? I am a little wary of someone who has no opinion, but always agrees with me.
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” (Eph 4:25)
Sometimes people agree with you, because they are fearful to speak their mind. In that case your relationship is not very good, brotherly love is missing. Trust is missing between two people. With brotherly love no man should be fearful to speak his mind to another. Perhaps they are not lying but also they are not telling the truth, in other words they have a “split tongue.” If your opinion is from your heart then by all means it should be spoken. Do you have an unfinished conversation with a brother or sister that lies heavy on your heart? So now you can pray and take it to the Lord today for an answer. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 18
THE MANNA FELL
Have you ever thought about how God provides for us every day? The farmers bring in the produce, the fruit, the vegetables and the wheat, but who provides them with their harvest? God does.
“When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.” (Heb 3:9)
We know that the children of Israel wondered around in the desert for forty years, and were provided for every day with manna and quail. That is incredible when you look at a film or picture of a desert, nothing but sand. We know that there are people, Nomads that live in the desert, but they go to cities for their provisions. The only cities in Moses’ travels in the wilderness were all their enemies, no chance in shopping in one of those cities.
Paul always writes to encourage the church and the church leaders. He is saying here in this verse, ”The children of Israel tested the Lord (trusted Him) and gave account of what He had done for them.” Paul wanted the church to trust the Lord for their provisions also. Paul was in prison and the church was providing for him and he wanted them to understand that the Lord will provide for them. At times we need that same encouragement, “God Provides, Jehovah Jireh.” Perhaps you are in need today physically, financially or spiritually. When you pray give thanks for God’s provision, “manna.” What you need can come like a miracle in the desert. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 19
FAITH IS A LOCATION
We can live in faith or out of faith, just like we can live in our home or we can be homeless.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb 11:6)
Paul tells us we cannot please God if we do not have faith. For us faith is even much more, because we cannot be safe, covered and warm. Without faith we would be like a homeless person fighting against the cold and weather, we would be outside uncovered. Also we would not have any safety against evil and thieves. We would have to look for provisions and a place to keep them. What a sad thought to be homeless. With faith we are in a safe location, covered, warm and provided for with the pleasure and presence of God. We don’t only want to have faith we want to live there in faith (our safe house).
Knowing we are pleasing God in faith is the beginning to understand His Grace. Paul always wants to encourage the church, here in this verse of faith, he also includes the reward He gives to them that pray and seek Him. How is your faith today? Are you feeling warm and safe or are you feeling cold and hungry? All of us need to work on our faith, just as we work on our homes, we need to be reminder we have an address a location where we can live in faith. Perhaps today in prayer you can seek the Lord and upgrade your faith. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 20
DEVIL KNOCKING
Have you ever thought that person is not right for the task, I know better how to do that, I could do that better.
“And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2Ti 2:26)
Paul knew Timothy was struggling with a lot of discord in his church. He had a brother in the church that wanted to be the leader. Paul had given Timothy the leadership after spending time with him and his mother, so he knew the family when he appointed him as the leader. He knew his heart for Jesus and his passion for others to know Jesus. Timothy lived the gospel. Now he had interference in the church that was causing discord. Pride and judgment are two things that man can let into their spirit and not be aware of the sin lying there.
Because one loves the Lord it gives the devil a very good reason to knock and wait to be let in and stamp his evil in the mind of a believer. This must be recognized and prayed about to keep peace in the church and the devil out. When the leadership appoints a task to the brethren he has seeked the Lord for the right person and that needs to be respected and accepted by the body. Perhaps there is something in your church similar to Timothy’s church. There may be believers (or if it is you) who are victims or captives and are listening to the enemy while thinking it is the Lord speaking to them. In that case he or she (or you) needs prayer and forgiveness to set them (or you) on the right path and to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit and be liberated starting today. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 21
KEEP THE DOOR SHUT
There are many emotions that can enter our thinking and make us fearful and anxious. We need to keep those thoughts out with prayer.
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Php 4:6)
Paul was saying in this verse, “Keep the door shut,” be aware that can be dangerous. Be careful with what you let in your thinking. He is saying stay in prayer, stay in thanksgiving, always submitting to the Lord and then bringing Him your needs. When we can occupy our thinking with prayer and thanksgiving, we can keep out emotions that can hurt us or kill us.
Our spirit is very delicate, only with the strength of the Holy Spirit, can our spirit be strong. Anxiety and fear are very harmful; they can become rulers in our minds if we don’t quickly rebuke them and throw them out, keeping the door shut. Are you suffering today with worry and anxiety over yourself, family, work or your church? Paul has given us the answer to overcome these emotions and following his words we can get them out and keep them out. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 22
WORRIES BEWILDER
It is not easy living in the world and not worrying about something.
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (Mat 6:25)
Jesus so loved his disciples and followers, He wanted the very peace of the Holy Spirit to abide with them and in them. In other words He wanted them to be worry free. He also knew what He wanted for them was not completely possible at that time. They were following Him, so their families were mostly on their own to survive. His followers did worry about their homes and families, but at the same time they knew that they had to follow Him and leave their homes. What a calling to follow Christ and leave all behind you and not worry about them. That is because Jesus wanted them to recognize the provision of the Lord for them, was the same for all the others as well.
That same provision from the Lord Jesus was speaking of is also ours today. We can begin to count our blessing and the way in which the Lord provides for us, and our worries will dwindle away. Faith will overcome fear, peace will overcome turmoil, and victory will overcome defeat. In other words we will be thankful and free of worry. Look at the list the Lord gave us in this verse, we can start with them. Then we give special thanks for the cross and Calvary, for that reason alone, we can praise God for a blessed and worry free day. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 23
YOU ARE BETTER THAN GOOD
How much to you love yourself? Do you always think of yourself as a failure or a winner? If you claim the Holy Spirit has filled you with His wonderful power and peace, how can you think of yourself as a failure?
“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” (Phm 1:6)
So here in God’s word it says that there must be several good things in us that love the Lord and are filled with His Holy Spirit. Paul is giving us this statement, but it is up to us to make good things happen. We make good things happen with our faith. Paul says that with communication of our faith we will recognize, or in other words acknowledge our good things given to us from the Holy Spirit.
I am sure that God has already done great things in your life. So it is up to you to believe that your future also has great things coming from God. With the communication we need to have with faith we will get the energy to activate our faith. Our faith activated means God’s blessings will become manifested in our daily lives. As we see those blessings we will be encouraged to increase our faith. Is it possible you need to take an inventory of your lists blessings? I am sure as you recall all of them and all the good things in your life. You will see yourself, better than just good. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 24
BLOCKING YOUR BLESSINGS
Are you suffering with a money problem? My first question is do you tithe into your church weekly or monthly?
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal 6:9)
So Paul knows how difficult things are for the churches and he is in prison, so things are difficult for him also. But yet as always he wants to encourage his brethren, so he writes this verse of encouragement. He is saying, ”Don’t get tired of your giving, because the time is at hand for your blessings, if you stand strong in your faith.” That was a nice thing to hear from your pastor in prison. But it is the truth, and we can hold fast as well in our faith waiting for our season of reaping.
What about other methods to reap blessings from the Lord, forgiving others is a ”biggie” with the Lord. How are you standing with relationships with your brothers and sisters, any controversies with them? Obedience to the Lord is also very important, if you wish to reap His blessings, and naturally obedience is what we have to follow in our tithing. Then one more thing that can block our reaping, do you need prayer to bring peace in your life, because you are under attack from the enemy. So number one is forgiveness or repentance, number two, is obedience and tithing, number three is prayers and peace. How are these three working in your life today? Perhaps you need to change something, to stop the blocking of your blessings. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 25
TURN THE OTHER CHEEK
Whoops! How many times have you found that you have been misunderstood? Have you offended someone without the knowledge that you did it, until it was revealed to you?
“Wherefore receive you one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” (Rom 15:7)
Sadly that has happened to me many times; I have been offended and offended others. Paul was so gracious in this verse. We needed the encouragement that is in this verse. I am so grateful when there is something wrong in a relationship with one of my brothers or sisters, I can repent and meet them with Jesus and we can share the wonder of His mercy.
If you are in the middle of a relationship difficulty in the church, work place or family, that problem can be gone when you turn the other cheek and ask Jesus to heal the relationship, you can repent or perhaps both of you can repent, what is so great is that for the glory of God you can be together again. Is there someone today, which you need to turn the other cheek to, as you offer your love and a big hug? Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 26
IS HUMILITY HARD
If someone says to you, “You must be humble,” what do they mean? Humility is not hard for those that can love others as they love themselves.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Php 2:3)
When I speak of others, I am putting Jesus first; can you love Him as much as you love yourself? Can you love your earthly family or your church family as much you love yourself? If you can do that you are humble. You will not have time to be boastful, or proud. Paul says in this verse “lowliness of mind” indicates we have little time to be so concerned about ourselves, always thinking about our own needs and achievements. Oh no! When we focus on Jesus, we see others at their best and beautiful. That is what makes us humble. Perhaps today you need to focus more on Jesus so you will be able to see His beauty in others. Easy this way humility is not hard for you. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 27
IF YOU ARE WRONG CAN YOU CONFESS IT?
Has the Devil shot a thought into your mind, that you can’t rid yourself of?
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (Jas 5:16)
I know if this happens to you, you would be praying to rebuke the sin the Devil wants you to follow. So what do you do? James has the answer, when we are under attack from the enemy we go to the elders or someone we can pray with. Paul says we must confess to one another. That means that we must trust others with confidence and prayers. When we are under attack to do a sinful act that is badgering our thoughts, in most cases this could be sexual or verbal. When we listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance of who and when we must follow James command to confess and pray, we will receive that last blessing in the verse, healing. Is there something you need to confess? Pray today and be healed. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 28
DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT WHISPER OR SHOUT?
When has the Holy Spirit spoken to you and you ignored Him, you didn’t listen, what happened then?
“After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” (Act 16:7)
Paul was in Asia, but God wanted him elsewhere. Paul had to learn to listen to the Lord the same as we do. We need to learn to listen when the Holy Spirit speaks. The problem is sometimes He whispers and we are too occupied with other things, we don’t hear His whisper. Then other times we hear Him and don’t think that what He tells us could be right, because it doesn’t fall well in our agenda. So perhaps He has to shout, and stop us in our tracks and turn us around to His guidance.
He loves us, He doesn’t give up with a whisper, He knows what we need and sometimes He has to shout, just like a parent to get a child’s attention. I heard of a pastor that heard from the Holy Spirit to not leave his room in the hotel to go to the evening meeting, he went anyway, but being heavily convicted he return just in time to see he had been completely robbed of everything. The Holy Spirit always has our best interest as number one priority. If He has spoken to you today, listen and if not wait on Him to speak in your prayer time. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 29
YOUR CALLING
Do you know what your calling is? Do you apply your strength and efforts to what God has called you to? The way He has called you to serve Him?
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Php 3:12)
I like the idea that Christ has not only called but He has taken hold of me, and in that way I know I am not working alone. Serving the Lord in this world of darkness can be very difficult spiritually and physically. We may find the darkness moving in on our lives more every year we get closer to the “last days of Jesus return.” Also the work gets hard and more dangerous. In fact the environment that was in the time of Paul and the disciples will be the same before His return.
Our servant hood to Christ will be so important also because so many can perish without our commitment to the calling Christ has planned for us. If you look around you, you will see so many that do not know Him and they will perish for that reason. Christ has called us all to spread the gospel, in others take the light that those in darkness are so desperate to have. Have you taken sometime in your busy day to prayer for those that today are lost. I asked, “What is your calling?” Your first calling as a newborn Christian is prayer for the lost and prayer for yourself, for more filling of the Holy Spirit, to press on, take hold of Christ, who has taken hold of you. Amen.
NUGGET: SEP 30
DEEP BITTERNESS
It really hurts when a friend will not forgive you, that feeling they have for you develops into deep bitterness.
“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” (Heb 12:15)
Paul was concerned with the brethren’s fellowship. He knew there were temptations for money to turn in names of Christians to the Romans or at the leaders of the temple. Yes, those friends and neighbours could get a lot of money just for names of Christians, and it was happening all the time. Christians were being arrested and put in prison just because of bitter roots taking hold of the soul of many. Perhaps for their own protection Christians were secretive and others were jealous. That was Paul’s concern for the church.
But then as we look at this verse it is also personal for each of us. If in any way we are offended or hurt from the words or actions of others, we must take this very seriously and quickly ask God to help us with our feelings. We must pray for forgiveness for our emotions concerning that person, and we must pray for them also. We must not let the smallest emotion of bitterness take root in our heart. Paul goes so far as to say, ”We can fall from Grace.” One thing we know is whatever we feel the other person is feeling also. If the offence lies with us, we must talk to them and pray for them to forgive us. If there is any bitterness in you, or another person you know, pray about it today, asking the Lord to bring you together again melted in the love of Christ. Amen.
DAILY NUGGETS
For October
From Revbon
NUGGET: OCT 1
WE WANT WISDOM
At times it seems we can’t find the answer to our problems. We may look at all the solutions we can think of, but bottom line they don’t really solve the problem.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.” (Jas 1:5)
This verse from James is tritely the answer, praying for wisdom from God. Many times I have done this, the answer to solving my problem comes from a completely different area than I was thinking. God had the answer all the time but I need to ask Him for the wisdom to get the revelation for the answer.
James tells us that through this supernatural wisdom from God, we will find the answers we need and of course with those answer there will follow a blessing. When the Lord gives He gives big. When we have the answer through God’s wisdom we also have a new testimony for His glory. I repeat this is a supernatural wisdom from God, so don’t think you can reach the solution without Him from your own stressful thinking. James says this wisdom is for all men, when you ask for it. If you are dealing with a problem today and having a hard time finding the solution, ask God for the wisdom you need to get the answer. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 2
MORE WISDOM
I have said if we want the supernatural wisdom from God we must ask for it.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.” (Jas 1:5)
There are conditions when we ask the Lord for something. The first condition is to repent. We have to have a clean slate when we approach the Lord, asking Him for a special gift. The second thing is complete honesty. In most situations we are the reason for our problems, from our lack of good stewardship that we should be thanking God for, and we have not dealt with properly.
Then also our problem can be the consequence of sin, pride, disobedience, laziness or greed. When we have all that laid out before the Lord and accept His forgiveness, then we have a clean slate and can come to Him requesting wisdom. As we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit on the path of reconciliation of the cross, which will please the Lord, and He will graciously give the gift of wisdom to you as you need it. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 3
THE SUPPORTIVE WIFE
A good wife recognizes the authority her husband has been given from the Lord . The authority as the head of his family and their protector.
“Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands.” (1Pe 3:1)
We don’t know how many of the disciples were married. We do know however that Peter was married and his wife supported him many years in his travels and ministry. In 1Cor. 9:5 Paul speaks of the couples in ministry. Now looking at what this verse says to the wives is the way in which Peter is referring to the wife’s support of their husband and his calling. In other words this verse is for a Christian marriage, as well as a marriage in ministry. I would like to see this verse for all wives.
There is no doubt about what the husband requires of his wife and surely as long as the wife fills his needs, he undoubtly will fill her needs through their love for each other and the Lord. As the wife loving the Lord, her example will also be observed by her husband and the family. So seriously the wife has a very important part to play in God’s plan of marriage and obeying His Word. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 4
MORE FOR WIVES
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden manner of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.” (1Pe 3:3-5)
These verses give every wife a reason to take inventory of their lives and their marriages. Nowhere in these verses does it say anything about controlling their husbands. Also Peter says the wife shouldn’t be so concerned about her outward beauty more than her inward beauty, which involves her attitude and her heart for her husband. In fact Peter says her ornaments should be her meekness and a quite spirit. And he adds that God puts a great price on such a woman. Then he shares his knowledge of the women in his life.
Perhaps first his grandmother and mother, then his wife and her mother, he says the women of old times trusted the Lord and presented themselves in a manner that showed respect for their husbands. In the years I was married to a Chaplain, I always addressed him to others as Chaplain Al, only with the family and closest friends did I address him as Allen. The wife of a minister or leader in the church has the responsibility of upholding respect for their husband at all times. All husbands require respect from their wives. Whoever is reading this, husband or wife, I hope I have helped you understand this verse from God. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 5
A WOMAN’S RIGHT
How sad when women are forbidden cosmetics and jewellery in church. Who has made such laws? Not God.
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden manner of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1Pe 3:3-4)
Peter wrote his two books in the Bible by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Do you think his wife would have no gold band, no pretty comb in her hair or no pretty clothes? Of course he didn’t need to make rules like that because Jewish women were very humble in their dressing and presentation. So would it have been OK for him to make such rules for his wife and children? No that rule would not have been a good idea.
Peter said that the inward heart to please her husband and the Lord is more important than the outward adorning. Why do some churches turn Peter’s words into condemning wives or women? Those churches are run by men that are insecure and have controlling spirits from the Devil. Yes any churches putting those kind of rules down for women are ungodly and in darkness. God made women beautiful and with great imaginations of how to make everything more beautiful including themselves. Beautiful things and beautiful people are what women like, and so does God. Following God’s word, not man’s condemnations, is the women’s right. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 6
BEAUTIFUL BRIDE FOREVER
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden manner of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1Pe 3:3-4)
The bride is always adorned for the wedding day. When her veil is removed at the church, her husband sees she has made a very special effort to look her best for him. A Christian wife will always want to look her best for him even as the years pass and so does her youthful beauty. Now we can understand fully what Peter has written in these verses above.
Naturally the young man looks at his bride, with no thought of how they are going to be in twenty years. Peter however has thought of his wife in the present and the future, as the meek and quite spirit of maturity. Wives don’t get old they mature like their husbands. Wives become mothers and grandmothers and as the wrinkles come so does wisdom. As their youthful ringlets turn to silver grey, their maturity is more desirable to their husbands. These are the thoughts of Peter when he wrote these verses, and can reassure the wives they are in the sight of God of great price. Surely a Godly husband is the only one who could have such a beautiful bride (wife) forever. How do feel about that? Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 7
THE STRONGER PARTNER
“But let it be the hidden manner of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1Pe 3:5)
How does a wife develop meekness and a quite spirit? You can be certain not under a controlling husband. A controlling husband develops in his wife, fear and displeasure. A Godly husband is a good partner for his wife. What does that tell you about marriage? Is that a fifty, fifty partnership? Any wife who believes that is short-changing her husband. Only the meek and quite spirit can also be the stronger one. Husbands need strong wives and supporting wives.
Since God made women to be carers of their homes and families, He also made them to be the stronger partner. The wife matures in her marriage, as the husband stays the same as “the bread winner” except for his increasing respect for her maturity. While observing her part that she holds in their partnership, he learns to love her more each year. As they grow older they grow closer to each other and to the Lord. Once again, I hope I am helping you understand the Word of God given to Peter, for marriage and a perfect partnership. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 8
HUSBANDS, PAY ATTTENTION
There seems to be a number of husbands that forget the “Prince Charming” they turned on for their future bride.
“Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” (1Pe 3:7)
Peter is telling husbands to be smart and never forget that their wife is still their bride. Peter is saying, husbands you did everything to win your bride, and now she is yours, and still is your bride. All the energy you used to win her, keep it up to keep her. The goodness and the good side you showed her during your courting, continue throughout your marriage.
Peter refers to the wife as a weaker vessel and yet the Lord made her stronger than any man. But her heart is very fragile and needs her husband’s love and attention to keep it healthy. She also needs that same love from her family that she daily cares for. A Godly husband will find time to date his bride, leaving work at the office and only paying attention to her. The Holy wedlock of these two will be a happy couple, and as Peter says they are “heirs of God’s Grace.”
One more thing that Peter put in his verse, he was referring to husband and wife praying together. Peter says, “That your prayers be not hindered.” That is a wonderful promise for a marriage. If only the bride and groom at the altar will follow Peter’s lead to a Holy wedlock, they will be able to make it for many years “until death do they part.” Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 9
AT YOUR SIDE
So you leave home get married and make your own way for you and your wife.
“Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife.” (1Pe 3:7)
Peter is still speaking to husbands; he is saying, “Dwell with them according to knowledge.” Husbands don’t just live with your wife, study her and what her needs are, desires and wants. Be knowledgeable about your relationship. Make your relationship with your wife number one. Each husband when he studies his wife will discover the manner in which he can honour her, for himself and others.
We have been on this verse from 1Peter for a week now, I am sure you understand how important a Christian marriage is, after studying this verse. Now we are speaking again about a partnership between man and wife. How long do these partnerships last? For a Holy marriage with a Godly man and woman they will last forever. These partners are together forever, because of their partnership with the Lord.
Let us look to the future of a husband and father. His family is his wife and children. Then his children grow up and are gone, “So they leave home get married and make their own way.” The husband and wife are once again on their own, they dwell together and they now have a new partnership completely different from how it has been the last twenty years. Husband, your bride is still there by your side, forever. All that we have learned this week from Peter; we have really learned from God, He is also by our side forever. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 10
HUSBAND AND WIFE
“And as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” (1 Pe 3:5)
Heirs together through the Grace of God. What a wonderful beginning of marriage, when there is a Holy marriage of two people as heirs of God’s grace. Now the Godly pair can learn from each other and from the Lord. We have spent this week learning from Peter. The partnership of marriage is sealed in Heaven. Breaking that seal breaks God’s heart. Marriage must be taken seriously and reverently. God says, “Husbands love your wife as Christ loves the church, and wives submit to your husbands.” As long as we stay in that plan with our marriage the seal is safe and marriage is secure. This week have had many things to think about relationship and marriage, all these things are good but they cannot be manifested in a marriage without both partners having faith in Jesus and have been born again at the foot of Calvary’s Cross. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 11
OF ONE MIND
So now Peter comes to the word, “Finally,” after writing the first seven verses of chapter three, strictly on marriage, and on the relationship of a man and women in a good marriage.
“Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, and be courteous.” (1Pe 3:8)
Peter had a wife that travelled with him in his ministry, surely that meant that as she faced the same dangers with him, she believed as him. They were in one mind with each other and their faith in Christ, and one mind in their faith in each other. For Peter that is what made a good marriage. The compassion that two people constantly have for the needs of each other, he puts a number on in this verse speaking of “one mind.”
The love that two people have that covers their mistakes or emotions that come with stress and worry, because, although we know Peter had the greatest of faith, he also had bad days and he needed the love of his wife and the church around him. When the married couples are of one mind in faith, compassion and love that produces power in their marriage and they can face all obstacles together as one body.
The next part of the verse says that the couple needs to be thoughtful and courteous to their partner. This indicates the approach they have when speaking with each other, not shouting or pouting, but making their conversation intelligent and peaceful. Also this comes under “one mind.” Naturally the world is always in chaos around us. Money matters, household needs, and family needs, are just a few of the things that the married couple must discus, and Peter understands that, therefore he reminds us to be understanding and courteous in our conversations.
Peter believes he has given us in these eight verses in chapter three the “secret” for a good marriage, and I believe he is right. If you take a few minutes with your partner today to review 1Pe 3:1-8, and you both agree to work your marriage on this platform, you will also be of one faith, of one mind. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 12
LOVING YOUR BROTHER
We have been talking about love in marriage, but now we need to talk about love in the church.
“Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, and be courteous.” (1Pe 3:8)
Peter as we know sometimes had difficulty being of one mind with all his brethren, very much so concerning the beginning of Paul’s ministry. But he could see the importance of the church unity also. We know just to have a church in those days presented all the brethren in danger. The Romans paid well for the information where Christians could be found. Having unity in the church was the security for each of the members and the family in Christ.
Some of the brethren were in very well-off families, without their love for the church the ones who had very little to live on and the ones that were already suffering in prison would not survive without their help. Also the unity of the church was depending on good attitudes and conversations. Emotions could get uneasy because of their environments close to the Romans; they had to always be in agreement never raising their voices in their homes or on the streets, which could bring attention to who they were.
Peter gave this verse to the brethren as a warning; the only way we can survive in our worldly environments is to stay in unity. If we look around us today Christians are also in danger in the world of darkness that wants to remove the Word of God, remove the commandments of God and to remove the people of God. Unity in the church today is as important of yesterdays. Perhaps you need to contact someone asking their forgiveness and bring more unity in the family of Christ. Pray about it today. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 13
CONTINUE WITH LOVE
We have been speaking of very close people in our lives and how we can keep a good relationship with them.
“Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, and be courteous.” (1Pe 3:8)
Now let us step out into the places where we are the strangers. Living in a high-rise apartment, when I look out all I see is unknown territory, looking for love, and needing Jesus. I have the opportunity to go shopping with a smile on my face or a frown. How will that effect my day and the clerks behind the registers? Can I do as Jesus did, looking on the strangers with compassion? How can I love a stranger, I don’t know them?
I have learnt when I am walking the dog or out to do shopping, I can pray for strangers, I can look at them and pass them by praying for them. Also I have found that praying for strangers brings joy in my heart. I can have compassion and love for those I don’t know and may never see again. Then there is that world out there where I am in contact with strangers and my conversation and attitude effects others I don’t know. With my smile and good conversation, even giving them a blessing or sharing the gospel with them, can make my and their day. Peter writes, “Love as brethren,” that is a command. Today is a good day to practice showing a stranger the love of a Christian brother. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 14
PAY BACK
How many times have you heard, “But you don’t know what they have done to me?”
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.” (1Pe 3:9)
I don’t drive, but I understand the frustration people have finding parking spaces. Here you need to get something before getting home or picking up the kids at school. Just to get a parking place to save a few minutes walking. Boom the one you have your eye on and are just getting close to and that guy took your space. How frustrating. The question is how is your attitude with this? How are your emotions with this? Are you seriously thinking, “What would Jesus Do?”
Christian’s are expected to be so joyful and pleasant, blessing everybody. Peter has written like this When frustrated what is your conversation like? Calm down your emotions and bless those you are frustrated with. Then came the good part, “Knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.” (1Pe 3:9) So the pay-back is God’s promise to you, the word ‘inherit’ indicates a promise. Who has called you, is He that has made this promise for you, it is your inheritance. I like the way Peter has worded this verse, I like it that he has assured me as I find the peace in my heart to bless those who have hurt me, I am the one that will get the pay-back from God, I will be blessed. Now how can you make this work for you? Begin with prayer! Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 15
MORE ON ATTITUDE
Mind, will and emotions, are the three things we learn as Christian’s that making up our souls.
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” (1Pe 3:10-11)
These two verses are for born again Christians. Only those that daily study the Word pray and walk with Christ, can hope to follow these two verses from Peter. Our minds must be focused on Jesus; our wills must be in line with the will God in His Word. Our emotions must be under control following a straight and narrow path of peace and close to Jesus.
Only when we keep a good attitude do we also keep our soul healthy. Cutting this a little short Peter has been repeating most of these good instructions throughout chapter three. But he has added one more suggestion from the Lord. Do you want a happy and good life? Do you love life and want to see good days? Yes we do. Praying daily for a healthy soul and a peaceful heart, will help us follow this chapter from Peter, our attitude will shine and please God. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 16
BELIEVETH
Faith is fantastic. Faith forges ways that are considered impossible.
“Jesus said unto him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.’” (Mar 9:23)
When we are just beginning to read God’s Word and attend our church Bible Studies, this verse is constantly repeated, and one of them we learn by heart. Jesus is speaking directly to all of us; He wants us to have Heavenly increase through our faith. He wants us not to just have our barrels full; He wants us to have our barns full.
Jesus had no way to teach the disciples what they truly were going to need in the future. They were going to be in a very dark world and they would need faith to move mountains, which Jesus told them to believe for. There are a lot of teachings on faith, but none of them can be better for us than the time we are spending at Jesus’ feet and receiving His teaching. When you having your daily prayers today, envision that you are with Jesus at His feet hearing His voice. Repeat this verse from Mark and believe that it is Jesus repeating it to you. Just believe. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 17
THE DISTRACTER
When you are praying what or who distracts you? Satan always has his bag of tricks ready to stop you from being with Jesus.
“Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” (1Th 2:18)
When we pray we are in a place where God wants us. Perhaps at His feet or at His throne whichever place we are in, we are there at God’s appointment. Because we are in this place of sanctuary in prayer, Satan is stomping outside trying to disturb the beauty of our peace.
Sometimes we have thought that because Paul was such a holy man that he was always in a spiritual mood and nothing could change that. Here he tells us he could travel to visit his dear brethren whom he loved so. Something has hindered him from travelling, he knows that it is Satan that is trying to hurt and stop him from his precious ministry. Paul says he is hindered, but he doesn’t say if it is physical.
We know Paul suffered physically and for that reason he had loving brothers who helped him at all times. Also he was always in danger and the brethren did their best to keep him safe. Of course Paul never threw a pity party; he just got on with his ministry and servant-hood for Christ. Paul knew he had an enemy, and what his name was, He knew that his enemy had one goal to take him out and stop his ministry. Paul never gave in to his enemy’s wishes. Satan could not distract Paul or stop him. Satan wants to do the same to all Christians, to take them
out. Pray and rebuke any tricks that Satan is playing on you today. We have Jesus; therefore we have the victory and can take out the distracter. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 18
BE MY VISION
Do you believe in visions? Do you believe in dreams? I do, and I believe that the Lord has given me visions and dreams that have always encouraged me to stay true to Him.
“It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.” (2Co 12:1)
What is so great about visions and dream from the Lord is that the enemy knows nothing of them. When the Lord has us in His presence the Devil cannot enter our thoughts. If we are dreaming something from God; we will see the end of the dream as a victory. What did I mean by in the end victory? Sometimes the Lord will show us the battle and the enemy, we may call that a nightmare. But these dreams from the Lord show us how the enemy is defeated, and they are not nightmares, they are promises.
W hen the Lord calls us to a new task; perhaps He does so in a dream at night or a vision in the day. First we must confirm that everything concerning this new adventure is from the Lord in His Word, and then perhaps it will be confirmed with another sister or brother in the church. Paul never doubt his call or his new task the Lord presented him with, no matter the dangers he may have to face, because he knew it was from the Lord, He also knew that the glory received from the task always went to the Lord, unlike the glory of man taking the beatings and the imprisonment. I have never experienced such horrible things, but I have been rejected, hurt and alone. Through prayer and faith in the end victory, I sing, “Be my vision, Lord of my heart.” Today you can follow your dreams and visions as Christ is with you all the way. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 19
STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE IT
There are two ways to get strength, one being you get physically strong and determined to follow your dreams or you get your strength from the Holy Spirit and with Him you follow your dreams.
“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.” (2Co 11:23)
How did they do it? How could the apostles take the abuse and pain? We are in the last days before our Lord is returning. Do you believe that? Do you believe the Word of God concerning the rapture and the second coming of Christ? The reason I ask you this, is because if you have doubts, please don’t attempt to step out into the world as a full time servant of the Lord. Full time ministry takes full time faith and full time faith is dependent on the Holy Spirit full time. Amen.
Peter and Paul suffered in the flesh badly, horribly, but they rested with their wounds in the arms of the Holy Spirit, He comforted them and strengthened them. He and He alone kept them strong and He will do the same for us. The New Testament shares with us the writings of incredibly faithful men; through them we learn what is called the Christian faith or the Christian doctrine. I can only add today the importance for us to understand the lives of the apostles Peter and Paul. That is where we learn to live daily with the Holy Spirit, with that knowledge and faith we gain our strength. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 20
NO BED OF ROSES
How does faith work? Do you think as long as you trust in the Lord, He will make your life “a bed of roses?”
“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.” (2Co 11:23)
I heard a comment once, “Paul’s faith was weak because he had to suffer all his Christian life.” You could have “knocked me down with a feather” when I heard that. Oh! That I could have the faith of Paul, the life with Christ that Paul had. I could have that same strength from the filling of the Holy Spirit that Paul had and the experience of seeing Heaven. What a faithful man Paul was.
Do you know what a bed of roses will do to you? It will make you lazy. If you have a hard bed you will not want to lie on it for very long, you will want to get up and get going. That is what the Lord needs from us, the faith of Paul, to get up, get going and keep going until His return. There is an army rising up, are you ready? Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 21
RISING UP
I hope you know how serious these days are, these last days before Christ’s return. There is a battle going on. The enemy is moving slowly, silently, to snatch up our children and make way for them in Hell.
“Thus says the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.” (Jer 6:22)
If we don’t rise up as an Army of God to stamp out the Devil in our homes, community and church, Hell will be where our children end up. We are new born Christian with our names written in Heaven, how will you feel when you are there and your children are not? Are you aware of the world your children are a part of each day? Do you know what they are watching or listening to on their devices? Are you teaching them the truth of life, love and Jesus? I hope this book will be read yearly to keep people on their toes and aware of what is happening around them until Jesus comes back and it might be too late to make changes. Who do you know that is a Christian soldier in the Army of Christ? Perhaps you too should be with them “standing up for Jesus.” Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 22
PERSONAL EXAMINATION
It is not always easy to examine yourself, to look into your heart and soul thinking, “What is wrong and needs changing?”
“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” (1Co 11:28)
Paul says, “We need to examine ourselves before sharing bread and wine.” I believe that sharing bread and wine with redemption can be done daily. I also believe that this sharing does not need others present; it can be solo but with Christ.
When we grasp the picture of what happened at Calvary, we become broken also. When I think of a human man going through the hours of beatings and the pain our Lord suffered. There are many that forget Jesus was born of a virgin and raised in a normal manner until He was thirty years old, when He started His ministry. We are the most blessed beings on the Earth, to be born again Christians though the blood of Christ. If we are sick we have a promise in the broken body of Jesus that we are healed. Please, today partake in the Lord’s Table after you have taken a good look at what you have to bring to His table. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 23
SELF-JUDGEMENT
When we judge ourselves we can only correct ourselves with repentance.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” (1Co 11:31)
Paul was always judging and correcting himself. In fact he said, “What he wanted to do, he didn’t do and what he shouldn’t do is what he would end up doing.” Does that sound familiar? It does to me. I don’t swear but I have a habit to pick up stupid comments like, “Do you see what I am saying,” how stupid to say that. I constantly have to repent for stupidity.
As a Christian if I look stupid who will believe me when I tell them the gospel of Jesus Christ? I cannot be a good wittiness for the Lord, if I use silly comments and look stupid. Accurate vocabulary is very important for a Christian minister. I would rather judge myself than have the Lord judge me for my mistakes. The smallest slip up in our behaviour needs our judgment, in other words our self-judgment, which also needs our repentance. When we are sharing the bread and wine in church or just on our own with the Lord, we must repent before eating from the table. Is there something, perhaps of the smallest matter, that you need to judge yourself today? If so please repent and come to the Lord with clean hands. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 24
LOVE JUDGES
We know God is Love. Therefore if I am to be judged I would rather be judged by a loving Father than a wicked world.
“But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” (1Co 11:32)
In this verse Paul tells us, “Take your punishment from the Lord is your best shot.” When the Lord corrects us or even punishes us it is always out of His love. If your father loved you and you are grown now when you look back to those harsh corrections he put you through, did he love you?
Sadly I know many have memories of their childhood with little love. But that is not the case now; your Heavenly Father loves you and always wants the best for you. He wants to save you from the condemnation of the world where you suffer with and never reach your goal. When the Lord corrects you, you grow and always reach a new goal. When we repent to the Lord daily as we sin daily, we are glorifying Him as our loving Father and our sovereign King. Are you feeling the pressures of correction today, perhaps there is something you need to repent of and release the judgment. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 25
HOW TO JUDGE
There are ways to judge, as a Christian we must be very careful with how we use our judgments.
“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (Joh 7:24)
It is so easy to look at a person, and judge them. Thank You Lord that is not the way You judge. We know that the Lord judges the heart of each of us. We may find it hard to see a person in an ugly environment or dressed in an ugly fashion. Just such a sight and our minds have condemned them. The best we can do for them is to have compassion and pray for them. We have no idea what their life is like, if we haven’t lived in their shoes.
If we are truly filled with the Holy Spirit then we can see others as God sees them. I like the verse in the Bible where our Lord looked upon a multitude of people and had compassion on them. When He looked upon these people He didn’t see their clothes, jewellery, or hairstyles, He saw a great multitude in need and in hope that they could get a better life being with Jesus. They look to Him for their salvation not really knowing they were looking on their Saviour. They were looking to Him for healing not knowing that they were looking at the Creator of all mankind. If we are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps we must show His love to others around us. Perhaps there is a person in your neighbourhood that you have judged, and now have the chance to show the love of Christ to them. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 26
THINK IT OVER
Still speaking about judgments, this verse will make you think twice before judging.
“Does our law judge any man, before it hears him, and know what he does?” (Joh 7:51)
John is not speaking about the judgments of God; he is speaking about the worldly courtrooms. When a person is brought to a courtroom it is because someone thinks that they have sinned and are guilty. But John reminds us that even in a courtroom this person is innocent until someone comes with the truth of why they are guilty.
Are you giving others that you are judging, the same opportunity to tell the truth, to open their hearts full of the pain and the hurt that is behind their sad lives? If they are not living right, they need Jesus not your judgments. We must leave all judgments to the Lord and Him only.
We don’t live a life with Jesus to condemn those who don’t live with Him. We live a life with Jesus because we were guilty of sin and we repented of our sins and took Jesus as our Saviour. You have a story, you have a testimony and you can tell others how you were set free at Calvary’s Cross. Today perhaps you will approach someone to share your story with and give them the same chance to accept Jesus. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 27
DID JESUS JUDGE?
How do you feel when you tell others about Jesus, but they don’t really want to hear what you have to say?
“And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” (Joh 12:47)
Many listened to Jesus and loved Him, they put their past lives behind them and followed Jesus. We know so many of our family and loved ones that tell us, “That Jesus stuff is good for you but not for me.” How quickly I want to judge them, call them stupid for rejecting Him. Yet that is not what I have the right to do, no, my right is not to judge them but to keep praying for them that the Holy Spirit will wake them up to the truth about salvation and Jesus. The Holy Spirit will convict them and bring them to the Cross and full repentance.
Jesus died for all mankind, is sometimes a very hard thing to understand when we see the horrible sin and sinners around us. Jesus said, “For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world,” and it is His footsteps we want to follow in. Is there someone that you have been judging? Today is a good day to repent and go to them in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 28
TWO WITNESSES
I am sure that anytime you had a transaction with another person you always want proof that what was happening was witnessed.
“And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.” (Joh 8:16)
The Lord tells us here, “I am telling the truth and my Father is my wittiness.” Jesus was not a spirit floating around this earth, He was spiritual, but He was also a man in the flesh, and He knew the laws from the Torah that God had given the Israelites in the wilderness with Moses. He respected laws of God as a Jewish man. Every word that Jesus spoke on earth would be backed up by His father in Heaven. Every judgment that Jesus laid upon the unbeliever would be backed up from His father in Heaven.
Although Jesus loved mankind with the “agape” love that no other man on earth has, but wants, He also spoke the truth when He spoke to the Pharisees’ with their false worship and lies. Only with a great conversion could Israel be saved from their judgments and their future destruction. Jesus cried when He saw the future of Israel and Jerusalem. Jesus wanted to do everything He could to take out sin and bring salvation to all mankind, He went to Calvary just for that to judge sin and overcome it for eternity, and open the way to God forever. He said on the cross, “It is finished,” referring to His Father I have full filled all you asked of Me on earth and in Heaven. I hope you have understood what He did for you and me. Although we will never understand all of the Cross and Calvary here on earth in our lifetime. Our part today is to be wittiness with Him and His word, until His return. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 29
WHO IS YOUR WITINESS
I am sure that if you need a witness you can find one, perhaps a family member or church brother or sister. The world is always asking Christians, “Who is your witness to what you believe and teach?”
“I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me.” (Joh 8:18)
Jesus could bear witness of Himself because He was the Son of God “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (Joh 1:14).” I am sure you have heard the comment, “He is as good as his word.” That comment implied that the person was always telling the truth never lying or cheating. We know that if someone we trust can tell us that we can trust another person, we believe it to be so.
When we have Jesus ministering for three years throughout Israel, He tells everyone I am telling you the truth and my Father in Heaven will bear witness of what I say is the truth. Even when Jesus told the disciples, that He was to go to Jerusalem to suffer at the hands of the Romans and die there, they didn’t believe it and couldn’t understand it, until after the Cross and Calvary. But when Jesus gave up His life, His last words were, “It is finished. Father into Your hands I commend my spirit.” When we receive Jesus as our Saviour we too will be the ones that bear witness of Him and become “Sons of God” and our Father in Heaven will bear witness of us. Today is a day of joy and thanksgiving as new born Christians, and a child of God! Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 30
HAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO JUDGE
We have been on the chapter 8 in the book of John this week spending some days on “judgment.”
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (Joh 8:7)
This story is about the sinful woman that was being condemned by her suitors. Jesus knew that the same men that were now condemning her were the same men that had used and abused her. For some reason she had displeased them and now they wanted to kill her according to Moses law. The Holy Spirit through the words of Jesus convicted these men in a way they had to resign and let her go free.
Think how she felt, first men that abused and condemned her and now a man showing her mercy and setting her free. What a wonderful Jesus. Now why is this verse so valuable to Christians? That same Holy Spirit convicts us also and that same beautiful Jesus will have mercy on us also. He has made it all possible at Calvary so that we can, “Go and sin no more.” Perhaps through your prayers today the Holy Spirit wants to spend some time with you, showing you where you need to repent, casting down those stones you have ready to use condemning others. Amen.
NUGGET: OCT 31
MERCY
After all this week of speaking about judgment and condemnation, we now can come to mercy.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1)
For the new born Christian there is mercy from the Lord Jesus Christ. We know that we are saved sinners and in daily need of the Lord’s mercy. When we do something wrong we can come to Christ and repent. As we make repentance our daily agenda there will be less and less to repent for.
How wonderful when bad habits are gone if we remember to repent for them. Foul language falls out of our conversation and vocabulary, we repent if we make a “slip up.” Our daily repentance refreshes us with the Holy Spirit and makes it easier for us to walk away from the flesh. After this full week of warnings we can give thanks for this confirmation of mercy and love that Paul tells us we can have in this verse in Romans. If you like to memorize verses this is a good one for you to keep. We can give thanks for God’s Word’s to share with others. Amen.
DAILY NUGGETS
For November
From Revbon
NUGGET: NOV 1
A SUPERVISOR
Have you ever thought what a church might need is a good supervisor.
“This is a true saying, if a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.” (1Ti 3:1)
Timothy was so dependent on his older brother in Christ, Paul. He always inquired of Paul everything about pastoring the church. In this verse Paul is telling Timothy, “If someone in your church wants to supervise, he maybe the right man.” The title bishop was not a fancy assignment in Paul’s church; it was hard work and a lot of responsibility. Paul goes on in chapter 3 with Timothy explaining the true qualities of a good supervisor in the church.
When someone is called to supervise a construction job, he or she has the safety of all those working under their supervision. He has a contract to uphold and fulfil in only a certain amount of days. Also he must answer for any mistake done on the job. Timothy‘s church was constantly in danger. Also there were members who would take a payment quietly from the Romans for a name or location where another brother could be found and arrested. In other words there were Judas’s in the churches. Paul wanted that Timothy would be very sure before assigning a person as a bishop in his church. If you want to be a bishop or a supervisor how would you do the job? Perhaps God is calling you to take more responsibility in your church, pray about it and ask others to pray with you, to listen to the Holy Spirit’s desire. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 2
REQUIREMENTS
Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to answer Timothy’s need in the church.
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach.” (1Ti 3:2)
Who would be the best one to ask for a reference for this new supervisor Timothy is in need of? Here Paul tells us that this bishop needs to have a good home report about his wife and children. Yes, how is he at home when he is not under the eyes of the church?
“For if a man knows not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (1Ti 3:5)
In the first place he must be a family man not insolvent and single. He must observe others and their needs and approach others and their problems as a servant of the Lord with the grace and mercy from his heart. He can never gossip or repeat gossip. He must always be pleasant in the church; his family in Christ needs him and his strength in the word with his teachings. Looking back on this list, how close do you come to Paul’s requirements? Truly his requirements have not changed since his teachings on marriage that we just finished last month. We can ask others where do we measure up to this list and where do we fail. Today you can pray for help from the Holy Spirit with these requirements to serve the Lord. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 3
THE OPPOSITION
If you want to live with Holy Spirit, you will find you have a very strong opposition, the flesh.
“Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (1Ti 3:7)
You remember Timothy was looking for another helper in his church that he could rely on in church and outside the church.
One of the most needed qualities he needs in his helper was someone living close to Lord and filled with the Holy Spirit. Only such a person could give him a good report if he was to become a bishop. In other words this person would know the value of being a confidant for his position as a bishop and for Timothy. A confidant is a person who can listen, but not repeat what was said.
So how does the Devil try to trap such a man? He traps him in a normal manner, gossip and false witness, which I refer to as “the flesh.” I think gossip and false witness can be devastating for a church. Here is a list of what they can destroy, marriages, families, business, neighbourhoods, and churches.
The responsibility of a confidant is very serious, because they have the lives of others in their hands. If there is information given to the bishop, he must take it to the pastor and no else. God has assigned these two their positions in the church. They must respect each other at all times. The pastor a shepherd, the bishop a supervisor, both of them are under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. How is it going in your church or ministry? Perhaps today there needs to be some repentance and prayer to keep things healthily but not fleshly. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 4
MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE
Do you sometimes feel you have taken on more than you can handle in your ministry?
“But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” (1Ti 4:7)
When our ministry calls for us to take some responsibility in our church we must be sure God has already prepared our time and energy to serve. Unfortunately in so many churches there are brothers and sisters that think they know what is best for you and they forget to ask the Lord about it. These dear ones that are your family in Christ are perhaps older than you and you feel obligated to please them. Paul wrote this verse to Timothy because of his youth and new position as pastor. There were elders in the church that were being replaced with younger and stronger men. All these brothers had wives also and they had served faithfully.
Because of the times and conditions the church was growing daily, this church now was the largest in Israel. So now Timothy had to place new energy and strength in the church and at the same time show goodness to those who were serving in the past. He had to bring a new young spirit to this growing church. Now the younger people were being saved and coming to church. At same time the older ones had to be cared for and respected in their past thinking of how things must be done. This was not an easy task for Timothy, so Paul was always concerned in the attitude of the church.
The attitude of the body is very important to keep a healthy and growing church. It makes no difference what your task is in your church or perhaps up to now you have only attended regularly, your church needs your prayers and protection from the Holy Spirit. Take a few minutes today and have a special prayer for church and the leadership. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 5
IN 24 HOURS
Yesterday I was speaking of the attitude of the church. Only with the good attitude of each member can keep the church growing.
“Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” (Eph 4:26)
If one brother or sister is offended in the church, the church can get sick and weak. Each of us should be very watchful for any way that hurt or anger can come into the brotherhood. Anger is always a companion with hurt. Anger does mean someone has to be shouting and making a scene, not many times is it very quiet and breaking the heart of a person. One broken heart can be a weakness in the body. Also anger is sin.
Paul was always concerned with the health and attitude of the churches. I believe this verse is not only for the church family, but it is for us all in our daily lives. Any sign of hurt or anger that raises its nasty head, which is sin and the devil, needs repentance and prayer. Here in this verse Paul is saying within 24 hours of the sin, anger, and hurt should be gone. Before evening we should have prayed and repented for this sin. We too can be angry with ourselves for making a mistake that is hard to live with, this too is sin and we need to ask the Lord for forgiveness and strength to come through our problems. God loves us so much He never wants to see us hurting; He wants to heal all our hurt. Before closing today, please have a prayer that any hurt will be gone before the sun goes down. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 6
FORGIVE AND FORGET
We have to watch ourselves at all times in our manna and tone we speak. If any controversy is in our relationship with a brother or sister, we need to approach them with love.
“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” (Luk 17:3)
The word rebuke can be used to cast our evil or to cast out pain. In this verse we are considering our brothers and sisters in Christ and if one of them has hurt you, this verse is for you. First the word “trespass” comes up, that is also in the “Lord’s Prayer.” In this prayer it does not just say asking forgiveness from the Lord for our trespasses but also for those who have done something to me. So as soon as we pray this prayer we are rebuking the hurt that we have from someone else. The second part of the verse shows that the person or persons must face the problem with repentance.
Sadly how many times we have heard someone say, “It is too much I can’t forgive them.” If you hear that or have said that, go back to the prayer and who we are praying to. You didn’t repent until you were saved and came to Jesus to repent for your sins, when you prayed the Sinners Prayer and received Him as the Lord of your life. Can you recall all your sins? Some of them, maybe, but not all of them. We have to go to our brother or sister and say to them how we feel and how we hurt from what was said or done to us.
The Lord gave us a chance to ask forgiveness and we must do the same with our family in Christ. Always give others the same opportunity to repent and repair the relationship as Jesus gave to us and our Heavenly Father. Jesus died on the Cross to remove our sin and repair our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Is there someone that you need to speak with today? If you need to repent or forgive do it today. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 7
A GREAT RELATIONSHIP
How blessed are we to know Jesus? When I look around and pray for a stranger that the Lord has shown me in the city while walking the dog. I don’t know why, I pray for them in tongues, but I know that whatever they need they will have because I prayed.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Php 1:6)
The Lord always shows me someone that I would have passed by, not thinking they need prayer. I don’t know about you, but just obeying the Lord and praying for a stranger brings joy into my heart and from that prayer I begin to worship and sometimes sing while walking. I am confident that as the Lord has asked me to pray for this stranger, He will answer my prayer.
Now you ask how do I know what to pray? I know that they need Jesus is number one in my prayer for them; we all need Jesus, that is our prayer. Then as the Holy Spirit guides my prayer for this stranger, I know the words are right and are right with the Father. I am confident that prayer is good for me as it is for others.
When I pray for the stranger, I immediately have compassion for them. The Holy Spirit knows their needs and I know they have needs so I have compassion for them to know Christ. I want for them the expectance I have daily in my heart for Jesus to return. How confident are you today, knowing Jesus will return? Look around you to strangers, have you compassion on them, can now pray for them? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 8
GRACE AND PEACE
We cannot live without the peace and grace of God. Paul covers us with it in all his letters.
“Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1Ti 1:2)
I want to give you the verses where Paul covers the churches and the brethren with his blessings: (Rom 1:7; 1Co 1:3; 2Co 1:2; Gal 1:3; Eph.1:2; Php 1:2; Col 1:2; 1Th 1:2; 2Th 1:2 and Phm 1:3).
When Paul was greeting the churches, he was also showing his favour on them in his word “grace in Greek.” He remembered that a many of his fellow brothers in the church were Gentiles, then there were all the Jews and their greeting was always, “Shalom.” This way Paul was greeting both nations in one verse.
Greetings were very important those days. Do you think greetings are important today? When you see another brother how do you greet him? Perhaps your day has not been great, do you lay your burdens on him or do you give him your favour. The joy that your brother may be in need of today could be dependent on the way you greet him. Is this something you need to pray about today? Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 9
WHO ARE YOU IN CHRIST
Paul after his Damascus revelation and conversion never doubted who he was in Christ.
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.” (1Ti 1:1)
How is your declaration of, “Who are you in Christ”? Paul didn’t just say he was a servant of the Lord, he said he was commanded by the Lord, by his Saviour. He added, “Lord Jesus or Jesus is Lord.” My favourite is that Paul tells us that as an apostle of Christ under His command, he has hope. Paul was in prison cold, hungry and hopeful. He was hopeful that Jesus would return and restore His Kingdom here on earth. You may think he was hopeful for another place to live in freedom or good food and plenty of it, but no Paul said he found contentment in his conditions, because he had hope and faith in Christ Jesus. Paul knew that he was so loved by Christ as a new creation in Christ.
So now you know about Paul, what about you? How much of a new creation in Christ are you? As a new creation we refer to “losing the old and putting on the new.” Are there things you need to lose from your past so you can replace them with more of Jesus? Is this something you need to pray about today? Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 10
THE THIRD PRAYER
How often have you had to repeat your prayers? Do you think repeating those shows lack of faith or shows determination?
“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.” (2Co 12:8-9)
Paul admits that he had to pray three times, before God answered. Paul was having a problem with a relationship. We don’t know for sure who the person was, but we know Paul was suffering in this relationship. Some say the person was a prison guard; others say a brother in the church. Whoever they were Paul was miserable in their relationship.
When God answered Paul, it didn’t seem like a solution or an end to the problem. God answered that His Grace was enough for Paul to have to get through his discomfort. Paul’s faith was strong, and he was determined to come through his problem, not on his own but covered with the Grace of God. Are you waiting for the Lord to answer your third prayer or perhaps He has answered it with this verse from Paul. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 11
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Today we show our thanks to the soldiers that have fought for world peace and died for world peace. This poem is to remind us:
ONE THOUSAND MEN ARE WALKING
By Joshua Dyer, 14 years old
One thousand men are walking
Walking side by side
Singing songs from
The spirit as their guide
They walk towards the sun
They smoke and laugh and smile together
No foes to outrun
These men live on forever
In the hearts of those they saved
A nation truly grateful
For the path of peace they paved
They march as friends and comrades
But they do not march for war
Step closer to salvation
A tranquil steady corps
The Meadows lit with Golden beams
A beacon for the brave
The emerald grass un-trampled
A reward for what they gave
They dream of those they left behind
And know they dream of them
Forever in those poppy fields
There walk one thousand men.
“GOLDEN NUGGET”
“But and if you suffer for righteousness sake, happy are you: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.” (1Pe 3:14)
Thanks to our “ARK NEWSLETTER 2019”
NUGGET: NOV 12
OPEN DOOR
How do you feel about doors when it comes to working for God?
“For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” (1Co 16:9)
If you look back or to the present, how many doors have opened and shut in your life? Do you believe that you caused them to change? Can you look back and say, “God did that, and I am glad He did?” Did you count your blessing at the time? There are not many of us that struggled with doors like Paul did. He was always aware of the adversaries as well as the opportunities. Paul always went forward with every door God opened for him. The sufferings he endured many times could have been avoided if he passed by an “open door.” Paul believed in God and trusted Him in all things even he own well being, so he never hesitated to follow through the open doors God opened.
How do you approach an open door from God? Do you step forward and go through; trusting God will make it all good for you? What about the ones God has shut, did you feel let down or betrayed because things seem to go so well, then bang, the door was shut. Trusting God in all things means that when He shuts a door, you focus your eyes on Jesus and look for another door to open. You notice I said, “To open,” not you open. In other words we must have faith and patience when waiting for a door to open from God. One thing I know and have always told my boys, “God never will leave you in a hallway without showing you a door.” Where are you now, entering a new door or closing and old one? All the answers you need you can ask the Holy Spirit, because He has all your answers. Today in your prayer time you can ask Him, He will answer you. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 13
PRESENT YOURSELF
I am sure you have thought a lot about how you want to present yourself to others, would that be the same way you want to present yourself to the Lord?
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom 12:1)
“For the love of God, please listen to me,” that is what Paul is saying in this verse. First his instructions are to be a “living sacrifice,” in other words, “Surrender all of yourself,” that starts with the body, then the soul. Surrender your flesh, your desires, but not your needs, in fact you must choose what you need and what you desire. Then there is your soul to surrender as part of “your living sacrifice.”
When you surrender your thinking changes, you begin to think more like Jesus, so does your will change. Remember Jesus’ words, “Father not my will, but Your will be done.” So that is when you begin to drop the “me, myself and I.” Also a part of the soul sacrifice is our emotions. Then Paul notes that after the sacrifice we may become holy and acceptable to God to serve Him. All of this surrendering and sacrificing takes a life time. When we get saved and begin our walk with Christ is when we begin our process of a “living sacrifice.” Has the process started for you, you can pray about it today, and think about your next sacrifice? Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 14
UN-SEPARABLE
When we really think about relationships, do we think they are forever? How secure do others make you feel in a relationship? How secure do you feel with a relationship with the Lord?
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)
Seriously this verse is stronger than a marriage vow. Paul is telling us he is convinced that his relationship with Christ will never change. In the marriage vows we say, “Until death do we part.” Paul says death will not separate him from Jesus. Paul was convinced that death will bring him closer to Jesus. In this verse he points to every good and evil he could think of and still concluded with no separation from me or the love of God and His presence.
We know Paul suffered greatly for his faith in Christ. He had to only deny Christ and his faith; he would be back in a comfortable position with his family. So although he points out all these things it is only him that can make this separation, the choice is his. Even if he said “I am finished with Christianity,” do you think God would stop loving him? Paul is a creation of God and in this verse; he has already declared that not even a creation of God, such as another person could separate him from the Love of God.
All the other points he mentions are out of his control, the only control Paul has is over others and him. Now I have spoken about Paul, but actually I am speaking about us. We have no control over God’s love for us, but we have control over our love for Him and our relationship with him. When I read this verse, I can only begin with worship and praise for my loving Father in Heaven, who will never stop loving me. I feel humble and weak; my love can never reach the height of God’s love for me. I can never love Jesus with the measure of love he has for me when He went to Calvary. Today is a day to give thanks for the love of God which is un-separable. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 15
DILIGENTLY LOOKING
Do we know ourselves as God knows us? Do we see ourselves as God see us?
“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you.” (Heb 12:15)
Spending more time on self investigation is better than investigating others. When Paul asked God three times to take away a problem, God’s reply was, His grace was all Paul needed to come through his problem. Do we really know how the grace of God affects our lives? We know that we are not worthy of His grace, and yet He still favours us with His grace. In fact His grace protects every day, encourages us and forgives us. God’s grace is our lifeline; we would perish without His grace. The grace of God also was our Saviour Jesus.
This verse is saying have you Jesus and the grace of God, and if not what has come into your heart that has hardened and became bitter. We have read a lot of verses in the Bible about the “evil root of bitterness.” We know how damaging it is for Christian life and our eternal life. The root of bitterness is deep within us and will in time grow and break though our lives through our speech filled with disappointment, hurt, frustration and anger. As the root grows these are the things that will fill our attitudes with others. Roots are deep and must be removed and forgiven. Diligently look into your relationships with others today, and exposing anything that needs to be removed and forgiven, to be covered by the Grace of God. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 16
STRENGTHENED IN GOD
Do you exercise like walking on the beach or in the woods, using the stairs instead of an elevator? Or do you go to the gym?
“…and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” (1Ti 4:7)
Paul had just assigned Timothy as a new Pastor; he was very young man and Paul advised him to do well. In Greece the men went to exercise naked. So Paul was saying to Timothy disrobe the world around you and work out in the word and closer to the Lord. This verse is not only for him it is for us also.
Studying God‘s word is to exercise our minds and get us closer to the Lord as we learn more about Him. Getting to know the Lord better is also to strengthen our hearts. We must not neglect our bodies either. A great deal of our thinking affects our bodies and our health. Our relationship with Christ strengthens our heart physically and spiritually. All our energy that we use to keep up our strength and good health can be coupled with our daily Bible readings as we walk, stretch or run. Today you may want to begin with a new kind of exercise using God’s word together with your physical workouts and you will strengthen yourself more of Christ. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 17
HARVEST TIME
In the natural harvest is just once a year, but in the spiritual harvest time is all year.
“Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” (Joh 4:35)
The wonderful story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well is where this verse comes from. This area around the city was full of workers all dressed in white in the harvest fields, of course working there in the fields Jesus could see the workers in their white clothing. Remember Jesus was seating at the well where all the people got their water for that city. The conversion with that one woman going back into the city to report what had happened to her brought the workers still in their work clothes out to the well to see Jesus.
The harvest begin in the hearts of all those from the city. The verse was what Jesus was saying to His disciples when they came back with food and found all the city folks had come to Jesus at the well. No locals had been prepared for this big meeting. No church building was waiting for a big conference. No this was a stranger seated at the well, that the whole city left their work and their lifestyle to come and hear the man that spoke the truth to this known woman.
How could the stranger know who she was and what she had done? He had told her the truth and for that reason everyone came to Him. All men search for the truth and now they had the opportunity to hear it. One seed planted in this woman and there was a harvest of hearts to be harvested for the Kingdom. What Jesus did that day is what we can do today. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit we too can plant a seed in the heart of others around us. We can tell the truth of Jesus on the Cross at Calvary and that truth can start a new harvest and a new reaping for Christ. Today you can ask the Holy Spirit where, when and with whom you need to plant that seed for Christ. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 18
A CUP HALF FULL
How are your resources, do you work hard to keep your cup full or do find that you are blessed with less? Do you find that when you give in Jesus’ Name to help the church or others, your heart is full of joy and you don’t miss what you have given?
“…and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” (Luk 8:3)
The disciples had constant income with their fishing business, they had others working on their boats and that kept everyone with an income. There were widows that had good income from their past marriages, of those that travelled with Jesus they took money for food and shelter. So here in this verse Luke reminds us that all of the needs that the travellers had were cared for with the unity of each one giving.
We also have our opportunities to give a bit of our substance over our tithe. Our finances will always come out well if we ask the Lord to handle them. If we do have that full cup how much of that are we going to give away? I know there is always a smile on our face when we receive, but there is a bigger smile with joy in our heart when we give. Tithing and offerings to your church and others will also bring that joy in your heart if you trust the Lord with your finances, and how full or half full is your cup today. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 19
STEADFAST SOLDIER
Do you find you are abandoned, people don’t call you or invite you anymore, because you always tell them about the Cross and Calvary, you tell them, “Jesus saves.”
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2Ti 2:3)
At the time that Timothy was Head Pastor in his church, a great fear passed through the whole body. Nero was Emperor and he was killing all the Christians. Thousands of Christians had been killed and the church was losing followers, they were trying to escape the danger of this mad man. Even the leadership was leaving, they were scattering all over the nation to escape the cruelty of the Romans.
No doubt this condition now with the church was enduring hardness. But Christian soldiers don’t abandon the church they stay and stand steadfast to endure the hardness. The Christians had no chance to battle with Romans and win, but they did have the Lord on their side and He could cause the conditions to change and protect His soldiers and the church. As we know no soldier can stand alone, the unity of the whole army is necessary to go to battle much less win one. Is your church in unity as an army standing up for Christ? Perhaps if there is a condition in your church today, where you are losing soldiers, and need to wake up and get unified as an army. “Stand up, stand up for Jesus you (steadfast) soldiers of the Cross.” Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 20
AN ATHLETE’S GOAL
When I was young I ran track. I liked to run the relay. I was placed third person, my goal was not to get to the end of the track but to get to the runner waiting for me as fast as I could because they would take our team to the goal.
“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” (2Ti 2:5)
First Paul tells Timothy to endure hardness like a soldier, now he tells him to endure hardness like an athlete. You know Rome was all about sports, so everyone knew how an athlete trained and what they endured to master their sport. Only the professional athletes could go for the big games. Also they were the only ones that could win and wear the crown of lawfully. Paul wants Timothy and us to train and endure the hardships to come to our goal.
There were so many hardships Timothy had to face every day because he was in training. We also face hardships, nothing like Timothy’s, but still they are hard for us and we have to stay in training. We may not be out on a race track to archive or goals but as lawful Christian soldiers our training is to be in one unit and strengthen our army. Just like an athlete we must stay focused on the crown. How are you today with your training and mastering your position as a Christian soldier in the Lord’s army? Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 21
SUNRISE TO SUNSET
Do you know that farmers work from sunrise to sunset? Paul has gotten three different types of people that he is telling Timothy and us about.
“The husbandman that labours must be first partaker of the fruits.” (2Ti 2:6)
Here in this verse we are told knowledge of our fruits is very important, before we start a process of planting, labouring, and harvesting. The farmer has a lot of preparation before he plants his seed and he must know the time of the year to plant for the right seed to take root. Then his commitment of labouring with his grounds and new seedlings can only process a good crop. There is a smile on the face of the farmer when he sees his crop is ready for harvesting. But the poor man cannot do it all on his own; he needs help to reap the prize of all his labour.
So three different people Paul speaks of; a Christian soldier fully committed to serve in the army, also an athlete in training and focused on his goal with a farmer labouring sunrise to sundown to reap in his healthy fruits. All three of these positions Timothy needed to fill and so do we. His church needed the soldier’s commitment, the athlete’s training and the famer‘s labour. Out of these three do you know what position the Holy Spirit wants you to fill? Today bring it to the Lord in your prayer time. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 22
WEALTH CONTROL
I am sad to say it, but there are Christian churches controlled by the wealthy.
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches.” (1Ti 6:17)
Jesus met with a rich young man, and told him to give away his wealth if he wanted to go to Heaven. At first when the rich man heard of Jesus, he focused his time on the opportunity to meet Him, because he was sure he would benefit from their meeting. He was looking for more wealth not salvation, so after their meeting he was sad but not changed. His wealth was his God.
There are fewer wealthy people in our churches than in the world because generosity is not part of their agenda, that would mean they would have less and a smaller god. People that are wealthy have controlling desires because they want more not less. They want less work, less charity but full authority. Today in our churches, as in Timothy’s church, the wealthy hold their riches over the middleclass and the poor to have control in the church. These rich people are the ones Paul was referring to as “high-minded” not Holy Spirit filled. Paul continued the verse with, “Put your trust, in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;” How is your church being controlled? By those that are rich in the world or those who are rich in the Spirit. Perhaps you need to pray for this today so the Holy Spirit has more control. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 23
GENEROSITY OF THE WEALTHY
Paul has mentioned two types of wealthy people, those desiring control, “high minded,” and those that want to use their wealth to help others.
“That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” (1Ti 6:18)
Wealth can come to a person or persons from many areas. Some people give because they feel they must or give because they feel guilty when they see others in need, then there are those who find such joy in giving because they have been so blessed themselves. The strange thing about giving is there is no amount you must have before you can have joy in giving. The poorest of poor give with joy in their hearts because they have so little and still have something to share.
When we are so blessed with extra income or a financial gift such as an inheritance, we have the opportunity to communicate, in others listen and act on others needs. Here Paul says this is a sign of good works when we distribute our blessing. Whatever the Lord has blessed you with give out of love not out of guilt. Always ask the Holy Spirit in prayer where to give, because He can be your best account for giving. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 24
GIVING THANKS FOR THE WEALTHY
The Lord brings wealth to the church because we still have to make payments to keep our doors open.
“That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” (1Ti 6:18)
Paul was cared for in prison by the wealthy in the church because the Roman always got a bribe, there were gifts from everyone in the church, but only the wealthy could afford the bribe to the Roman soldier guarding Paul. God always provided for Paul’s ministry. Paul was unique to God, He had called him and He gave him the strength and provisions to finish his time of servant hood.
Wealth for a person who has a heart for giving will always have plenty to give. How your heart is today, is it a heart for giving or are you like the rich young man? He told Jesus, “I do everything right in the law,” the problem was the law was finished, because Jesus was to fulfil the law and finish it at the Cross. The rich young man didn’t need the law, he needed Jesus. In your prayer time ask the Lord where He wants you to give and have that joy of giving in your heart. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 25
HANDLING RESOUCES
Perhaps you like to spend money as soon as you have it. Paul has something to say about that.
“Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1Ti 6:19)
I think Paul was saying, “Spend a little and save a little.” I like to go a little further, because Paul was also always thinking in the Spirit. When the Lord gives us a gift that is precious it naturally must always be accompanied with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps it is to be saved until you are called by the Lord to use it. All resources must be handled carefully to serve the Lord and His chosen servants.
Leadership in the church needs prayer and provision, to keep a healthy church. The church must be built on a good foundation, because we are living in the last days and all hell wants to see the church wither away or split with fear and faith. Paul says, “Time to come” knowing that dark days were ahead and the only way for the church to survive would be with the all the gifts the Lord has given to the believers. Back to the full cup, are you ready to offer some of your increase with a mission and movement of keeping the lighted candle of the Gospel in the future darkness? How do you feel about this today? Are you the same or perhaps something is changing in your heart? Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 26
HE IS COMING BACK
How strong do you believe in the rapture and Christ’s return?
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.” (2Th 2:1)
Paul had the strongest faith in Jesus return, even though he knew his days were numbered with the Romans. The last hour before he was to die he waited on the Lord. No doubt was in his heart that when he was gone, he would be with Jesus. Here in this verse he says the same to the church. Paul was saying to the church, “Please believe me Jesus is coming back and there will be a rapture of all believers.”
To spread the good news to the church, excited Paul, he was joyous that he would see Jesus again. Are you joyous that we will see Him and that He will return to earth? Reading Paul’s letters he shares the wonder of the rapture and also the wrath. After the believers are gone what will be left on earth? Today we must seriously take account of these truths and pray. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 27
ANTICHRIST REVEALED
Have you ever thought what the antichrist will look like? Because you are saved and have a beautiful picture of Jesus in your heart, have you any idea how beautiful the antichrist will be?
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” (2Th 2:3)
Paul tells us that, “The day will come when we will see the antichrist, not as a good man but a man of sin.” The falling away is what Paul is concerned about as he says, “do not be deceived by anyone.” He knew the church would slowly move away from the Word of God, and in time shut down. In time as believers are deceived they will rebel against God. The welcoming of the antichrist will be a social event that believers will commend.
The world will receive the antichrist as a new age leader of a one world order, and the church will agree. If you think this is frightening, you are right, for all believers this could happen. The “man of sin would be the man of the world.” Paul also calls antichrist, “The son of doom,” the doom of the church. Today you can pray for the Lord to tarry and give you the opportunity to spread more of the gospel and truth, to all who will listen. We can pray for the sake of our loved ones and family and their salvation. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 28
WAITING FOR SATAN TO SAY WHEN
It won’t be long now, is the message Paul was sending in his letters to the Thessalonians. The church was young and needed guidance.
“And now you know what withholds that he might be revealed in his time.” (2Th 2:6)
Only when Satan tells the antichrist to move into his position of the world as the great ruler, will the antichrist be revealed. Paul says, “We know what,” we know who (Satan) is always in charge of the world of darkness, and the antichrist. Satan is the evil being that first rebelled against God thinking to exalt himself above God, sitting in the temple of God, showing himself as God, but before any of that started to happen God cast him and all his followers out of Heaven.
Satan was not always evil rebelling against God; he made a choice that caused him rejection from Heaven and abiding place in hell. Satan wasn’t content in hell so he is always looking for a new place to live on earth. As he rebelled against God in Heaven he has done the same on earth which is ruled by God. Satan is prince of this world not the earth. He wants his antichrist to rule the world and the Lord has told us that will be after the rapture and all the believers filled of the Holy Spirit are residing back in their Heavenly home with Jesus. Time is short and we need to have all our loved ones saved, our bold witness for Christ needs to increase and our prayers also need to increase, before the antichrist is revealed and time has run out for salvation. Are your prayers today for the salvation of your loved ones, I hope so? Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 29
THE ANTICHRIST’S SHORT RULE
The antichrist will not be a ruler for what might seem a lifetime, no his time will be cut short when Jesus returns.
“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” (2Th 2:8)
Paul never left us without hope, and neither did the Lord. In this verse we can believer in the wicked man of sin, antichrist, will be off his platform when Christ returns. When He returns He will knock the man of darkness down with the glory of brightness of the King of Kings and the proclamation of the Word of God. Paul tells us that the Word of will come out of the mouth of Christ and consume the antichrist.
All these things are not easy for us to understand or even picture how this will happen. We don’t need to understand what the Lord has told us as these things are beyond our understanding; we must hold fast to our faith and keep believing the Word of God. The Lord is extending the time of the antichrist to give mankind the opportunity to repent and expect Jesus. With the prayers of the believers the unbelievers still have time to repent. Today those prayers can bring your loved ones to Christ. Amen.
NUGGET: NOV 30
DO IT FOR JESUS AND YOURSELF
Did you ever think that all you do for Jesus will be forever, but what you do for man disappear?
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” (2Pe 3:11)
In this verse Peter is saying that all the monuments he is looking at through the Roman streets will dissolve. In other words all idols and all religions that are worshiping false gods will be gone, dissolved and disappear. There are buildings and creations that have stood and are today observed as ancient history, they will all be gone. The Day of the Lord will come with a melting fervent heat that not one of these ancient creations will survive. All believers that are taken up in the rapture will not miss material things they will be in Heaven on streets of gold.
Knowing the truth about the future would be a good time to invest in things eternal with Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter says, “What manner of persons ought you to be?” A question asking what are your priorities, are they holy and godly or are they fleshly and feeble. You will not have these opinions once the believers have been raptured by the Holy Spirit. You will be in hell on earth, mercy and grace will be gone from the earth and all God’s wrath will remain. Today you can make some changes in your priorities and opinions. You can begin with repentance and prayer. Amen.
DAILY NUGGETS
For December
From Revbon
NUGGET: DEC 1
A STRONG MIND
How do you feel when you have a thought that may cause you anxiety because you don’t feel right about it in your heart?
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (2Co 10:4)
We do get very strong thoughts direct from the devil; the problem is those thoughts weave their way into our minds that we start thinking, “Maybe that’s not so bad.” When we get the thought, “Maybe that’s not so bad,” believe me it is bad. That is the way the devil thinks to get his way. Those thoughts can manifest into real conditions. We may get ill, or say the wrong thing to our loved one or friend, or get into a financial situation that keeps us awake at night.
All these problems are strongholds like a prison and we are prisoners, and we need the Lord and the Holy Spirit to help us to be free again. Paul tells us that our weapons spiritual, not something we are holding in our hand. Yes, our weapons are spiritual, we start swinging a sword of truth when we begin to praise the Lord gaining power through the Holy Spirit as we worship the King of Kings. Our bodies get stronger with worship and declaring God’s Word. Our emotions soften and repentance is easier when we are praising the Lord. Our outlook on difficult conditions changes as we bring those conditions to the foot of the cross. God pulls down the strongholds when we turn to Him. The mighty sword of God’s Word crushes any fortress the devil tries put us in. It is the mighty Word of God that sets us free. However you feel today, you have the opportunity to praise and worship the Lord and watch what He can do for you. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 2
PRAYER CHOICES
Did you ever think that there are many kinds of prayer?
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” (Eph 6:18)
When Paul tells us to put on the whole armour of God and take up the weapons against warfare, he also added prayer. Not just one prayer, but many kinds of prayers. There are public, private, and secret prayers in church. Then we have social and solitary as at a Bible Study. There are solemn and sudden prayers in our homes. Then at last there are confessions of sin, petitions of mercy and thanksgiving prayers.
All of these kinds of prayer are additional weapons we carry into battle, covered with the armour of God and still carrying our sword and shield. Have you wondered what these additional weapons were; they were lances that could be thrown from a long distance before personal contact. In other words, our prayers of all kinds go forward to attack the enemy before we meet them face to face. We know God has won the battles, but we need to show our faith in Him by being prepared and protected with His armour and His weapons including our prayers. We can rest after our prayers are said, resting in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, He was sent to be our comforter. Today after you have said your prayers and submitted them to the Holy Spirit, you too can rest in His victories. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 3
THE STRESS OF SERVING
As a servant of the Lord ministering to others in the ministry that you were called to serve is at time stressful, the Lord has a word for you.
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient…” (2Ti 2:24)
Paul was always encouraging Timothy who was a young pastor to a very large church. In large churches there is always someone complaining about the leadership. As a pastor, Timothy was a servant of the Lord. In those days servants were also slaves. They didn’t really have the right to make their own decisions about their lives. Their master may be good or not, Timothy’s master was the Lord God, a good master, but a master that was depending on Timothy’s good servant hood. In other words he was a slave to the Lord, and was to follow His Word and be obedient.
Here in this verse the Lord has sent a message to him through Paul. Serving the Lord today is our choice to serve with our agendas or we can surrender all and become a slave to Christ on His agenda. When we strive with our agendas we will be stressed and hard worked as a slave belonging to a bad master. But when we follow the agenda from the Lord, listening to Him every day with a comment, “Here I am Lord, what can I do for You?” then do as He asks of you. When you follow the good master’s orders, you will not be stressed, but you will be amazed at how strong you are and how easily your ministry moves forward. Your attitude to others will be more careful and patient. You will be so willing to teach and share with others. Today is a good time to ask Him for His desires and what you can do for Him, without striving. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 4
HAVE YOU BEEN ABANDONED
Sometimes it is when we need the support from our friends that they don’t step up to help us.
“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” (2Ti 4:16)
Paul and Timothy knew that because of the fear of the Romans, Christians were in hiding. When they were needed to testify for another brother they would not show up, Paul was imprisoned for that reason, he was abandoned at his inquest, and then he was set in prison. Timothy was always in the fear of the same being the senior pastor of the Church of Ephesus.
This was a very large church and no one was ever safe from the Romans. Therefore even Paul says, “If you find that they have abandoned you, pray for them; ‘I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.’” (2Ti 4:16) In the last days that we are now in we may find others that we believed would stand with us leave us alone, those are the ones Paul says that we pray for. Do you have someone that you think has abandoned you, then today you can pray for them and love them more than ever? Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 5
BELIEVER’S IMPROVEMENT
Have you ever taken a good look at your level of faith?
“When Jesus lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he said unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat. And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.” (Joh 6:5-6)
If I were in the position of Philip, looking at a huge crowd of people in need of food, and the Pastor looks to me for a food basket to feed them I think my comment would be, “You want me to do what?” That is the thought in Philip’s mind when Jesus spoke to him. In the first place I have only been once in a stadium where that many people gathered to listen to a preaching. I don’t do well with crowds. I like smaller groups. How about you?
Normally Jesus consulted Peter when He was making a decision, Peter was usually the head of the disciples, but now Jesus consults Philip, not the leader of the disciples. I know you have heard of “childlike faith,” and that is what Jesus was looking for in His disciple. A childlike faith is right to the point and belief in the almost impossible.
A child lacks doubt when they have faith. Jesus was testing Philip’s faith, if He had faith, he would answer Jesus, “Yes Lord.” He would know that Jesus fed the Israelites in the wilderness and could do the same with this these people. The problem was Jesus had not yet revealed His glory, so Philip didn’t know Him yet as the Messiah. After the great miracle of feeding these thousands of people with only two fishes and five small loafs, the disciples grew in their faith in Jesus. In other words there was need improvement in their faith before the miracle.
Their faith grew after the miracle. Jesus wants us to have faith like a child before the miracles. That is our test; do we have that childlike faith which lacks doubt today? When we pray do we believe what we pray for will happen? We are all believers that need improvement in our faith, and this can be your prayer today, for more growth in your faith in Jesus before your prayers are answered. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 6
WICKED DARTS
I saw a program where a picture, a beautiful picture of young lady that has hung in an estate, was damaged with one dart 35 yrs ago. The dart was directly in her mouth. With that damage she was no longer on display in their hall; she was placed in the cellar. After being repaired the picture of the lady with her beautiful lips is now back in her rightful place.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Eph 6:16)
When we think of the shield covering us, perhaps we don’t remember that our tongue can be very wicked if it is attacked by the devil. My daily prayer is, “Forgive me for my sins Lord, in my thoughts, words and actions.” I always add that in the morning and evening prayers because I know that covers all of me. There is no part of me that the fiery darts from the devil cannot attack.
My faith must be in the Lord at all times I am awake and I must be covered with my shield of faith when I am asleep so the devil cannot get into my thoughts there also. In others words my shield of faith never leaves me uncovered. My faith in my Saviour and King gives me the strength to carry my shield at all times. It is my faith in Jesus that gives me peace when I repent.
My day may be very busy serving Him but serving Him still can damage me if things like pride or greed enter me. I cannot take my rightful place in His righteousness with these sins in my daily life. My humility and generosity is not just for myself but must be for others sharing the love of Christ. Today I hope you are staying safely under your shield of faith with daily repentance. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 7
A CONFIDANT
Have you got someone in your life that complains a lot? Sometimes these people want to have help with their problems and sometimes they want to treasure them.
“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” (Jas 5:13)
We all need someone we can confide in other than the Lord. But it is the Lord who will show us that person in our lives. Even when we have someone we need to let them know our problems, we need to also welcome some spiritual help from God’s word and prayer. It is not easy having a person load their problems on you and not except spiritual console or prayer.
James knows the burdens the leadership is bearing from others in the church. That is why he is directing them to pray and give thanks. We cannot be merry without giving thanks. There are those afflicted that ask for pray, but don’t pray themselves. Therefore they have no joy or thanksgiving with heartfelt worship to share in the church; they cannot be merry in the Lord. Today who do you know that needs your prayers, but does not pray, is it you? Even when your faith is weak, praying will strengthen it because you are making the effort. Today we all need to pray to strengthen our faith and be merry. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 8
EXUBERANT JOY
Do you remember the joy and tears that you experienced when you got saved? That was the ultimate moment of merriment that you will ever experience. But there can be more.
“Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” (Jas 5:13)
Merriment does not always come in a group of people. You can be merry alone, singing praises to God, just you and Him. The best cure for sadness is joy, and the way to get joy is to worship the KING of KINGS. Just think of yourself in a king’s chamber, the beauty around you, the beauty of the king and the beauty of your relationship.
The King wants to dance with you, toast to your good health and His and your future together. Wow. How great is that? When you are not feeling well, sing a song of praise, a song of thanksgiving, open your mouth and sing to Jesus. Get excited when you sing rather alone or in the church, lift your voice to the Lord. When you are merry, your feet tap the floor and your hands want to clap, your heart is beating strong and your voice is loud. All of your being loves to be merry, because all of you gets exhilarated. Please as you are now reading this begin to praise the Lord Jesus in song and be merry. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 9
CONSTRUCTING GOD’S CHURCH
There are always sick among us until the Lord’s return. Here James is pointing out that the elders or leaders of the church have a responsibility to the body outside the church. And the sick have an order to call the leadership for prayer. Now we have Prayer Chains to keep brothers and sisters in prayer.
“Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (Jas 5:14-15)
Although the Prayer Chain is very good they still do not follow James instruction. First the sick are not just to be prayed for healing, no, they are to be prayed over for healing. They are to be visited and anointed with oil. All believers can do that, but they must first contact one of the leadership before the visit.
James, Paul, and Titus use the titles, “elder and bishop”, in other words they are appointed to special ministries in the church, and all churches should have them. When a member of the body is ill, they need to know who to call following this verse in James. The leader praying over the sick represents physical contact with the minister of the Lord. The anointing of oil represents the presence of the Holy Spirit. Is your church following the verse we have from James? Do they have an appointed leadership? Does your church need prayer for this? Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 10
A STRANGE SUBMISSION
I know that each day we have temptations or offers from the world around us which in most cases they are not good things to follow for a believer.
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (Jas 4:7)
Most people think when they are to resist the devil; it is for us to stay in good health. That is very true. But our thinking also needs to stay healthy. Submit yourselves therefore to God. When we submit ourselves before God we have taken the big step to resisting the devil. Having to live in this world we may find it hard to submit to God on daily basis. That is why we need God’s word daily and an understanding from the Holy Spirit as our helper and comforter.
When we learn to rely on God we learn to submit to Him. The more we learn the stronger we get to resist the devil. What encourages us to learn more is that as we resist the devil, he flees. In other words the devil finds no comfort with us when we fill his ears with the words of God; he can’t take listening to God’s word or the Name of Jesus. Are you having some problems with the devil, is he causing you stress or taking your peace away. Submit to the Lord all that is troubling you today, give it to Him and give Him thanks. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 11
ONE TEMPTATION
Even one temptation can cause us stress as we have to stop it or resist it.
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” (1Pe 2:11)
As men and women we have fleshly temptations or lusts. Christians have to deal with these temptations daily. Unbelievers just fall into the sin the temptations provide, but believers have to deal with them. We, as God’s children, saved, sanctified through the blood of Jesus and the cross, still get tempted and still have to resist these temptations.
James is referring to fleshly temptations, which in other words would be considered sexual. But as we know there are many forms of temptation, dishonestly and lying are big sins in my book and they are big temptations also. When we consider the soul, we are speaking of will and emotions. Now today is a good day to recall any temptations that need to be dealt with or repented. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 12
THEY PRETENDED
When someone says they love you and gossips behind your back, wow, what happens to that relationship?
“Let love be without dissimulation.” (Rom 12:9)
Well, people hurt other people unknowingly, but also people pretend to like or love for gain. Both of these people need prayer. There is discernment of the Holy Spirit to guide those that have hurt someone unknowingly and forgiveness for those that have built false relationships for gain. When Paul was speaking of love, he was always referring to “agape” love. The love we know Jesus has for us and all creation.
That “agape” love that gives never really expects love in return. That love is very hard for us to conceive or understand, because that love is only available through the spirit never through the flesh. As our goal is the agape love then we learn to appreciate others and hold them in great esteem. In fact we spend a great deal of our time thinking about them and showing them love, that we end up with little time to be selfish and think only about ourselves.
So this verse from Paul tells us not to pretend love. Coming back to love for the purpose of gain, that is forbidden. Love is for giving not for taking. Now we each have to look into our relationships with others, if we say we like them, then we are lacking love for them. Jesus never said, “I like you,” He only said, “He is the shepherd and we are His sheep, and we know His voice so we can have all the love He has to give.” There is no better relationship than that and that is the kind of relationship we should all make as our goal. So how are your relationships? Do you need to readjust them today, to stop the pretending and get serious about loving your fellow man? Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 13
YOU CAN SWITCH ANYTIME
I hope you understand the gift you have as a “Born-Again” Christian. You are free to make choices that can bless you.
“Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Rom 12:9)
Paul continues this verse in Romans 12, by strong instructions to under no circumstances do we allow evil to take a place within us. He is saying we are only to receive and give that with is good in our daily lives. Well that sounds good but how do our daily lives stay on that path? We have to make choices, some of them easy and some of them are quite hard. The easy one we think we can make with no great difficulty, but then those hard we quickly turn to the Lord for help.
We need help to believe that although we may lose out on something we would like, we have to give it up to stay on that good and narrow path. What would hurt us most giving up a position or a relationship? How could God ask us to surrender these good things that are in my life? Of course God, and only Him, knows how long these good things will stay good for me The choice is ours and when we see something dark or evil coming into those things, we need to get out and stay out. Perhaps today you need to check up on some of the things you have in your daily life, do you need to pray for guidance in making the right choices to cleave to that which is good. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 14
DO YOU KNOW YOUR BROTHER?
When we speak of brothers naturally we are speaking of “brethren” in the church.
“Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” (Rom 12:10)
If you are in a small church there can be the most loving relationships with all who attend. They truly become a family, and no is left out. But the problem is all the new faces as the church is growing and you are having a hard times meeting them all and really getting to have fellowship with them. Paul was always concerned about the church and the fellowship. When he wrote these words in this verse, “Be kindly,” I had to think about it.
The first thing I thought of is, am I as kind to others as I should be? If only I took a little more time to show more affection, then I would also be more kind, they go together as one. In the churches Paul was writing too and praying for had no “clicks” in them. Perhaps some of the body lived in the same area of town, then they were brothers first and neighbours second, do you understand the love of the family in Christ must always be first, before the worldly needs. Our church may grow, but that just gives us a reason to make our fellowships grow. Is there a new face that you need to say “Shalom,” to be the first to open up a new relationship today? Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 15
A SERVANT’S REPUTATION
Have you ever thought about your reputation as a Christian has to do with your daily life in the world?
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” (Rom 12:11)
Sometimes Christian standards are frightful, they have such low standards that you may not want to be seen with them. I am not talking about just the outward look I’m speaking about their standards of work and ministry. There are so many lazy Christians, with no burning spirit within them to serve, and many of these lazy Christians who also do not want to work or do a good day’s business. Sometimes they want to make short cuts and cheat at work.
Then there is how they live. They also have a reputation to keep up within their home life. The comment, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” is a good one for many Christians to live by. Some people don’t recognize that their laziness is a form of dishonesty, cheating at work or at housework. Enough said today. Perhaps you need to pray about how you are using your time, to serve or to be sloth. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 16
JOYFUL GIVER
How sad it is when you speak of tithing and people turn off the conversation. Giving back to God and His servants in the church should be done joyfully.
“Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” (Rom 12:13)
We really learn what it is to give when we give to God. That is when we have that special warm feeling within us, we have given not just wanting more for ourselves, not just concerned with our finances, no, those things don’t matter when we are giving to God. Once we have let go of our gift to God or our tithe, we feel a beautiful peace.
That same attitude needs to be in our heart when giving to the saints says Paul. Our pastors and leaders are saints, our brothers and sisters are saints, our church should be a house of saints. That is how we should feel about our church and the body in our church. We build a fellowship that can care for the needs of the saints, in other words each one of us. In a house of saints, no one is forgotten or neglected. Today is there a saint in your church that is in need? Why are they in need when Paul has told us in the verse to take care of them? Perhaps you should pray for discernment and guidance to follow Paul’s verse on giving. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 17
SAINTS
Paul finished the verse with an order to the saints to give in a manner of hospitality. In other words starting in your home you begin to be hospitable.
“…given to hospitality.” (Rom 12:13)
In Paul’s time most of the leaders and pastors of the churches were always travelling from one place to another in need of lodgings and food. Who do you think welcomed them with hospitality, yes the saints in others churches. Now this is a very direct question, how about you, are you hospitable when the visiting saint comes to your church? Sometimes the lodging and food are all taken care of, but then you have an opportunity to give a gift package of your choice. In this month we celebrate a special day of giving at Christmas, actually we should make 365 days in the year our Christmas, remembering God gave His Son, what can we give back to Him? Today you have the opportunity to give something to someone showing them your hospitality. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 18
BLESS MY ENEMIES
I have had some people in my life that really were not friends; in fact I don’t think they really liked me at all. They were always putting me down because of my lack of education. God taught me to write and now I rely on Him for each word.
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” (Rom 12:14)
Paul knew that the church had all types and some of them their opinions were not accepted by the majority. After all look at the disciples, one out of twelve betrayed Jesus and one out of eleven denied Him. So the Lord did as he told in the parable of the ninety-nine sheep. He left the eleven and took time to save Peter after his three denials, he needed healing to be what Jesus had known all the time, and Peter was to be the leader.
Peter had shown a horrible attitude that night Jesus was arrested. He had denied know his Master. In other words, Peter became Jesus’ ex friend and first class enemy. Jesus knew that Peter would regret his actions and therefore Jesus healed him and restored his peace. Blessing your enemy restores your peace. Praying for them that have persecuted you or cursed you will restore your peace. Having your peace restored is forgiving your enemy and asking for a blessing on them. So how about it, are you at perfect peace with all your relationships, do you have any enemies in your life that need forgiving and blessing? Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 19
WIN OR LOSE NEEDS LOVE
It is always easy to be glad and rejoice with others. When we know the winner we gladly join in on the celebration, but what about the other side, the loser, how do we deal with the loser?
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Rom 12:15)
Paul knew that it would not be necessary to comfort the winner, but the loser needs our support. Patting the back of the loser or just giving them a hug does not do it. If someone is weeping do you also start crying? Paul says that you too need to weep, because it is not just what you are saying to them but they can see your emotions and love that is what comforts them, the reality in your relationship, they hurt and you hurt.
Then the part about rejoicing, those emotions need to be real also. When Paul wrote this verse he was thinking of our emotions; our emotion to rejoice and our emotion to weep. There is a comment, “smile and the world will smile with to you, weep and you’re on your own.” Not a very nice comment but very true. Today Christians have to change that, “Worship with joy and weep with thanksgiving.” Who can you join today and share those emotions? Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 20
MISTREATMENT
I think it is sad when I see a program where there is an arrogant person mistreating another person. Wow, Paul must have thought such people were also in the church. I am sure he was sad because of it.
“Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” (Rom 12:16)
Paul was in rags in prison, in the cold with little to eat, and saying, keep away from high minded thoughts. All of us have a ministry we can complete for the Lord, I said, all of us. There may be a misunderstanding with the word ministry. Ministers are servants to the Lord, they serve Him first, then they minister to the body, ministers can be taken out of their churches to serve other churches in other areas. Ordained ministers are appointed to certain positions that the Lord calls them to do.
The Lord has an appointment for all them that surrender their lives to Him and all the appointments are highly esteemed because they are from Him. The House of the Lord, the church, needs maintaining and cared for as well as financial order. All of the body can help in these areas to serve the Lord. It needs a leader a pastor, and he needs helper’s, leadership and teachers. The church also needs carers to watch over the body’s needs and their families.
All these positions are equal to the Lord, He has no favourites. Therefore they should be equal to all of us, so there is no low estate in the church. No pride, no arrogance in the body of Christ. Love for all. If your church is not like I have told you Paul wants our churches to be, then there needs to be a change made. Changes are first made with prayer then action. Do you need to pray about a change today? Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 21
RECOMPENSE
How many times when you get scammed or cheated do you really want to pay them back? Paul called that “evil for evil”.
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” (Rom 12:17)
When we were living in the flesh for the world we had a normal attitude to get back at those who have hurt us. But praise the Lord when we are now born-again of the Holy Spirit we no longer live for the world or the flesh we live for Jesus and therefore we are supernormal and no longer want to take revenge on those that hurt us, we want to forgive them and pray for them and their salvation. When we let God take care of our emotions, forgiving the evil that was done to us, we will find peace. Peace is always better than payback. Perhaps there is someone you would like to payback, the best thing is to forgive them and gain your peace. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 22
THE THRONE OF GRACE
It is wonderful to think that God’s grace is our lifeline. He is on the throne of grace and that is where we always want to be.
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb 7:25)
So Christian’s goals should be to abide at that throne of grace, to stay as close to His presence as we can, and we can through the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that we have a high priest, Jesus, who goes to the Father on our behalf. He intercedes on our behalf, concerning our health, finances and our relationships.
We can feel very secure knowing that He has our best interest in His intercession to the Father. When we know our high priest, Jesus, is praying for us we can declare victory over all our problems. Intercessional prayer is always for someone else who needs your prayers. Paul tells us that now Jesus lives to make intercessional prayers for us. Do you live for Jesus or are you more concerned with your own life. Today you can declare victory in Jesus name because He has prayed for you. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 23
JESUS IN THE FLESH
When we think of God’s Son, we don’t think of Him like us, like us in the flesh.
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” (Php 2:7)
When we read the Christmas story in the book of Luke we begin to comprehend how the birth of Jesus affects our lives. Jesus was born of a virgin from the seed of the Holy Spirit place in her womb. That is the WOW beginning.
Jesus was born and grew up just the same as other children, but when He was a man 30 years old, His spiritual being began His ministry where there were miracles for three years before His death on the Cross. Paul also tells us that Jesus, God’s Son and our Saviour, was a servant. When we think of servant we don’t think of someone with authority, but no man has ever had the authority that Jesus had and has today. There is only one man, only one Saviour to follow, Jesus. I hope you have made Him your King and your Saviour today. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 24
HIS REASON TO COME
I know that you have heard and read the story of Jesus’ birth, of Him coming to us as a baby. It is now the time of the year we celebrate His arrival on earth from His Heavenly home.
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Php 2:8)
Paul wrote in this verse the complete reason for Jesus to come to earth in the flesh as a human. The mystery of God in the flesh is not for us to understand, we must just believe. The world has taken Christmas to the level of magic, we as Christians take it to the level of miracles.
God’s choice was a beautiful young virgin to bring forth His Son. Miracle! There were shepherds at night with angels declaring His birth. Miracle! A star shinning over the place He was born. Miracle! Three Kings coming from many miles away to follow the star to find Him. Miracle! All these miracles were planted by God to bring us a Saviour, Jesus. The humility of the birth of the King of Kings. Miracle! When we see the beautiful birth of Jesus, and the miracles surrounding Him, we eliminate the magical Christmas, stay with the miracles, and Paul’s verse. So now we know the reason He came. Our Saviour came to die on the Cross at Calvary to save us. Miracle! Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 25
WHEN HE COMES
So today we celebrate Jesus’ birth, just like we celebrate a birthday. We gather family and friends with lovely food and amazing gifts. That is how we celebrate Christmas because our Saviour is born.
“Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Php 2:9-11)
Now we know He came at Christmas and we celebrate that, how many do you know that are celebrating His second coming? His first arrival was a baby and His second coming will be as a lion. When Jesus comes the second time things will be very different, under the authority of man, but He will come with the highest authority over man.
Paul tells us all will bow down to Him. All includes the whole of God’s creation. The angels declared Jesus coming the first time, but now in His second coming Heaven with declare He is Lord. The joy we have at Christmas is singing carols glorifying the Lord, they will sound like a whisper to the sounds we will hear when He comes the second time. We will be confessing our love and loyalty to Him then, if we are not doing that now. Paul guarantees it. Today as you celebrate His first coming, make sure you remember He is coming again and celebrate that also. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 26
BODY PARTS
When you walk into your church and see the congregation, do you think of Paul’s verse about the body?
“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” (1Co 12:12)
Brothers and sisters in Christ together in one place represent the “body of Christ.” Look around and see the talents that are in your church body. Each member has a gift, perhaps there are many members with the same gift. Therefore they need to work together as a team, to glorify the Lord.
All the members in the human body were placed to help each other. That is the same plan the Lord has for the church. The gifts that people have in the church need to be exposed, so the people can get closer, find out who has the same gifts. After that manner the church develops teams, and teamwork. All the teams come together for the same goal to bring the gospel to the unbelievers until Christ returns. This is the time of the year people think of gifts, have you found your God given gift; has the gift that you have fit in perfectly with some others in your church? Perhaps you need to pray about your gift and where God wants you to use it? Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 27
TREE IN THE SEA
In all my life I have never seen a tree in the sea, in the river, yes, but never in the sea.
“And the Lord said, If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you might say unto this sycamore tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” (Luk 17:6)
When the Lord said this to the disciples He knew it wasn’t going to happen. He said it to get their attention. They knew what a Sycamore tree looked like. First the roots were very deep and could not be just plucked up from the ground. Also they knew that trees have to have something stable to plant the roots in and the sea was too deep and always moving. Then on top of that He said the tree would obey them. I am sure they glanced at each other wondering how can a tree listen and obey.
Actually the Lord was more concerned about their faith than the tree. When you read this verse what is the one thing that stands out for you? Is it the tree obeying or faith the size of a mustard seed? The Lord is more concern about our faith and if we are faithful. He is concerned with the amount of faith we have, you see you may think that faith the size of mustard seed is very little faith, but you would be wrong. This verse tells you how wrong you are to think that way. Have you ever plucked a grown tree up by the roots? Have you ever tried to plant a tree in moving water? Both of them are humanly impossible.
Is it the impossible things that the Lord is saying we can change with faith and to believe? What about a virgin giving birth to the Son of God? From the moment that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary, the impossible became possible and Mary’s answer to the angel was, “So be it,” in other words, “Amen.” How is your faith today? Perhaps you need some time with Lord for it to grow the size of a mustard seed, begin with prayer. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 28
DEEP ROOTS PLUCKED OUT
I am not sure but I know that when we come to Christ we come asking his forgiveness for our sins. Perhaps these sins are rooted deep in us and His forgiveness is how they are plucked out of our hearts and lives when we are born-again.
“And the Lord said, If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you might say unto this sycamore tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” (Luk 17:6)
When Jesus was speaking of the roots of the Sycamore tree that the disciples knew were very deep, He was speaking of deep rooted sin. Deep rooted sin can be remove and plucked out with the faith the size of mustard when that faith is in Christ. Purification for a Christian is very important if they want to bear fruit for Christ. That purification comes with repentance and forgiveness.
Having faith in Christ as a new born Christian, or in other words baby Christian, is the start of a life of purification. No sin in us should not be repented and plucked out of our lives. All un-forgiveness must be corrected in a bitter heart, must be plucked out to purify us for our servant-hood for Christ.
The process of purification is repentance. A servant of Christ needs to be a Christian that can, with a faithful heart, repent and forgive. No service to Him is worthy otherwise. Purification with your morning and evening prayers and all the other ones during the day, should be the path a Christian keeps to all his life. Sin exists in places that only God can see, deep roots, because it does exist in us we need our prayer time to be all the time. Have you made it your habit when addressing the Lord with the words, “Father forgive me for I have sinned.” Perhaps you need to speak with Him today. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 29
KILLING THE ROOTS
Did you see the words Jesus spoke to His disciple about this very deep rooted Sycamore tree? He said they were to pluck it and plant it, but those are actions. Actions like that are forceful, so what have they to do with faith?
“And the Lord said, if you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you might say unto this Sycamore tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” (Luk 17:6)
Faith comes before force. We must have faith that we can pluck out a deep rooted tree. I am sure this is another comment Jesus wants us to understand in the Spirit. So what is wrong with the roots that have taken hold and are growing in our hearts? The first thing is there must be sin there, sin that is deeply rooted and covered up. There can be sin there in our hearts that we ourselves can’t see, only the Holy Spirit sees it and can reveal it to us to pluck out.
So when we repent and have plucked out the roots, what next? Jesus said plant it in the sea. In other words pluck it out and kill the roots. If you take a tree and root it into the sea it will die, because of the saltwater in the sea. That is the message Jesus was giving us. When we repent and pluck out the sin, we must kill it off so it can never take root in our hearts again.
What could this sin be in our hearts, perhaps bitterness, hate, unforgiveness, envy or greed? Urgh! Those sins are nasty and should not be growing in the hearts of Christians. We are looking forward to a new year, so perhaps preparing for your new year; you may want to look closer into your heart and your life. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any roots that need plucking out and killing off forever? If so pray and repent. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 30
RESTING WITH HIM
I am sure you have a lot to do on these last days of the year as you have just finished celebrating Christ’s birthday on the 25th. There were perhaps lots of preparation and people around for this holiday. Now you need to rest.
“Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Mat 11:28)
With all the stress that has been going on in this last month of the year, you may think me a little daft to say now we can rest. It is not me it is Jesus, He is saying we can come to Him with all of last year’s pain, worries, relationships and all the stress we have had in the last twelve months, give it all to Him and have rest.
Not only today can we come with all these things, but we can come to Christ and the cross daily. It is at the foot of the cross we can daily lay them down. These words from Jesus are an invitation, every day we are invited to the cross to meet Him. We can come into the presence of God and rest with Him. That is what you can do in your daily prayer time today. Amen.
NUGGET: DEC 31
LOOKING FORWARD
This is the last day of the year. I am sure we have many memories and thanksgivings to look back on. Now we are just looking forward and giving thanks to the Lord for the coming year.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2Ti 1:7)
We may all be looking forward to a lot of adventures in the New Year, but the greatest adventure is the return of Christ on earth, and that could happen in the New Year. Paul says have a sound mind, which in the Greek means “sozo,” salvation and “phroneo,” mind. A sound mind is a mind saved and delivered of wrong thoughts that the enemy places in our minds, the spirit of fear, doubt, rejection, and hurt, those are the things that the enemy wants in our mind.
Paul reassures us in this verse that God has given us power and love, which overcomes the spirit of fear. Our minds can be turned to thinking about good things in the future and only expecting those good things. Now looking forward to this New Year we always have the promise that this maybe the year of Christ’s return, therefore we must have our thoughts and lives steadfast on what is to be done before His arrival. We want to see our loved one saved and our church serving for His return. This is the big plan for the New Year.
Perhaps there are agendas that need to be laid down so the more important ones can be first priorities. Fasting and praying for guidance of the Holy Spirit is one way and I think the best way to start the New Year. If you take that first week in this New Year taking an inventory of what God wants for you your family and your church, He will give you the sound mind and the sound path to follow. Happy New Year and May God Bless you through it. Amen.