By: Ed Algreen

DATE POSTED: Monday, July 17, 2023, and I was blessed to be at O’Brien, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Amplified Bible (AMP) IS FOUND IN Proverbs 11:18-20

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness and lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying]. He who is steadfast in righteousness attains life, but he who pursues evil attains his own death. The perverse in heart are repulsive and shamefully vile to the Lord, but those who are blameless and above reproach in their walk are His delight!

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: If you are anything like me, you might tend to dig deeply for the blessings of the righteous, and that is admirable, I believe. However, I have found that being reminded of the ways of the wicked tend to help me identify any unfavorable traits that may have crept in on me. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to open our minds to what He would have us learn from today’s Scripture.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: It is so challenging to see and accept our own failures and mistakes, so I thank God for His Word, where He presents such Scriptures to us as the one spoken through His servant Solomon in the Proverbs. On the surface I see a message in this Scripture for the child of God, and also for those who have chosen to ignore the Almighty God and do life on their own and as they wish. However, in each case these groups of people can look at the opposing alternative and either choose to work towards achieving a holiness that would please God, or a wickedness that they strongly detest and will do everything to avoid. I don’t know that you will find anything new in today’s Scripture, for we all know that the just, or the righteous, the saved, or the child of God will endeavor to live by faith and strive towards obedience to God and a lifetime of righteousness until their Master calls us home to Glory. Our reward for this will be eternity with our Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit. For those who choose to ignore the wonderful love of God and live life in whatever form they choose, they too will face eternity, but with their master – the evil one, Satan, the devil – in Hell. Our Scripture today is a reminder of this, and it adds some indicators that will serve to open our eyes to which eternal destination we are choosing for ourselves. The choice seems way too obvious and amazingly clear to anyone who has a clear and understanding mind about themselves, yet in spite of God’s daily reminders, many choose to follow the wicked way of the evil one. I started this blog, and continue to minister through it each week, so that I might share the impact of the Gospel on my life as I open the pages of the Bible each day. The reason I do this, is because I would rather tell you – my family, friends, coworkers, church attenders and/or those who have deliberately chosen to continue a life of sin, how important it is that you choose life eternal with God, versus the only other alternative. You see, this decision is something that you can change only when you’re alive. I can’t jog your memory after your life comes to a screeching halt here on earth, nor can you decide at that time that you would not like to remain in Hell. Perhaps this one more reminder will impact you in such a way, that may confirm the nagging and persistent words your pastor shared the last time you attended church. Most of us live to achieve more success, more happiness, and more joy in the life we are blessed with. Be reminded dear friend that this desire of yours will be ultimately achieved when you see the face of Jesus and you are welcomed into your eternal home of rest and peace with your Master and Lord. Whatever you do, don’t let the grip of Satan continue in your life, make a decision today to allow Jesus control, so that your future will be secure in the glories of heaven forevermore.

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: A life surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ brings joy and happiness to the believer on earth and assures them of a future that is ‘out of this world’!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Thank You Lord Jesus for loving us enough to provide an alternate life to the one we seem to be satisfied in allowing the enemy to control. Lord, we are sick and tired of the actions of the evil one and his cohorts, and we are ready and waiting anxiously for the sweet aromas of heaven and the blessed hope of worshipping you throughout all eternity. For those who can’t be bothered to bring about change in their walk here on earth, please Lord, soften their stubborn hearts once again today, and send a messenger to witness to them so they may be challenged with the ultimate eternity – with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Please touch Your children anew today and help us to love, respect, honor and represent You like we should, even amidst a world filled with the stench of Satan. Lord, we are desperate to see our family and friends reach for the same ending as we are promised in being Your child. Please help us to do a better job in witnessing and acting like You, so that they would see Jesus through Your saints, and then have a growing desire to adopt the same change in their own life. For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home near by your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

You can get more from Ed Algreen here.