NUGGET Today's Devotional

Introduction
Axe = Tool used for chopping wood.
Axe = Your main tool that you need to do a job, earn your living, protect yourself and your family & to get a task done.


Key Text
"If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success." (Eccl 10:10 NIV)


Yesterday (Pre-Lockdown)
We were too busy with our daily routines: jobs, family, study, other priorities.

We may have been engrossed with finances (making ends meet), deadlines, job pressures.

We try desperately to get things done on our own strength.

We perhaps were so busy we did not think or take time to give attention to the tools of our trade or to sharpen the axe.

Results are simple: -
•    Takes more time to get a job done.
•    We come to the end of the day and are exhausted
•    Our product/output is not excellent
•    We become anxious and stressed 
•    Your spouse & family are neglected.
•    We cannot find the time for God or our devotions.


Today (Lockdown)
In our time of isolation & lockdown, we have time on your hands!

We can now try and sharpen our axe.

The big Question is how do I sharpen my axe?

Maybe the answer lies in getting back to basics!
•    Bring Jesus back to the centre of your world
•    In your day, find your time of solitude with Jesus.
•    Do not compromise with your devotions!
•    Speak to & Share your heart with Jesus!

It is a Time for reflection about ye: -
•    Your strengths from yesterday
•    Your weaknesses
•    Your mistakes
•    Your Priorities
•    Your strategies

Either alone or with your spouse/family – Dream big for your tomorrow!
•    Adjust your Vision and your goals

Have faith, just believe that God will make a way where there seems to be no way!

Your axe has just been sharpened!

Tomorrow (Post Lockdown)
With a sharpened axe in your hand you can now face your tomorrow confidently.

 With the sharpened axe you will: -
•    Save time, energy and effort
•    Time Management is good: Devotions, Family, Work, Rest, etc
•    Keep your Vision ahead of you always.

Keep your focus right = Jesus at the centre ...

Conclusion
Go with God, your world is waiting for your input, influence and impact.

Your Axe marks the spot of success!

Pastor Ronnie Naidoo
 
Announcements
Now, more than ever, is the time to focus on prayer: Pray for the nations, pray for the medical profession, pray for the sick, pray for those who aren't sick, just pray! COVID-19 CAN BE DEFEATED when the church wakes up and ... prays!
 
Copyright 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.

My pastor-son just texted me to say he would be preaching on Mother's Day. Now normally I am hungry to hear him preach. He lives 4000 km away, and I don't get to see him much. Especially not this year with COVID-19 halting all travel. But besides all of that, hearing your own son preach just does a mother's heart good.

This time, however, there was this little "catch" in my spirit... Hum... Would he tell stories about me? Would he reveal to the world how I had so often failed him as a mother? Would he... And my return text to him went something like this: "Hum. Maybe that's one I should sit out..."

So just what is behind my hesitancy to hear my son preach a sermon on Mother’s Day?

I’m sure it's rooted in insecurity. The truth of the matter is, though I have always tried to be the best mom I knew how to be; I know there have been many times when I have not acted or reacted in a way that would make God -- or my boys -- proud of me. There were times when I disciplined in anger; times when I didn't see their needs as high enough priority; times when I didn't listen to them; times when I didn't take the effort to explain myself to them; times when I yelled; times when they didn't see me showing love to others; times when they witnessed my other many weaknesses...

If this sounds familiar, we all, as parents, must understand that we are human. There is no perfect mom -- or dad for that matter -- out there. As good as we all try to be, we all make mistakes.

I think the most important thing I ever did as a mom was to determine to pray for my kids. I prayed for them, I prayed over them, I prayed when they were being good, I prayed when they were being bad. I prayed for God to put them on the right path, and then I prayed for God to put them back on the right path when they slipped off. I prayed for God's Spirit to fill them, to direct them, to guide them, to grow them; I prayed for their future spouses, for their career paths, for their friends... And I know that sometimes this particular pastor-son wished I hadn't prayed so much... Especially when he had to wait until I finished to eat his breakfast!

What has been the result of my imperfect attempts at mothering, coupled with my prayers?

Both of my boys, and my daughter-in-law as well, are fervent followers of Christ Jesus... Maybe, in all my failed efforts to be a "good mom", I actually did one thing that was "right"... I prayed!

I want to put out an encouraging word to all of you moms -- and dads -- out there: As much as you want to be the perfect parent, you will make mistakes. But whatever you do, pray! Cover your kids in intercessory prayer, for if you do, in the end, they will turn out okay. Hasn't God promised: "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6 NKJV)?

Oh, and since one bonus of COVID-19 isolation is that my son's church has gone to live-streaming their services, you can know for sure that I will be glued to my computer screen at 9:30 am Mountain Time on Mother's Day!

In His love,
Lyn

Lynona Gordon Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two, Author — “Aboard God's Train — A Journey With God Through the Valley of Cancer”, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, with Answers2Prayer Ministries. Follow Lyn on Twitter @lynchaffart.

Announcements
Where is your mom today? If she is with you, give her a hug. If she is far away, call her up and tell her how much you love her. If she has already left this earth, go ahead and shed a few tears of love. She deserves it!
 
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Copyright 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.

Are you engaged in battle with an enemy unseen?

Perhaps your battle is against anxiety, fear, panic, or a combination of all three. Maybe you're not trusting God the way you should, or suffer from issues with your faith? If so, then you're not alone.

As believers in Jesus Christ, our faith journey is not always smooth sailing. Life gets in the way with dark valley experiences and potholes, and I'm certain that as you read these words, you're plowing through your own battery of afflictions.

Confession time...I suffer from worry, anxiousness, and yes trust and faith issues. I'm human, and just because I contribute to this Christian publication, does not mean I have things together and that my spiritual life is flawless. Like you I have crosses to bear and desperately seek and crave God's mighty outstretched arm to rescue me from calamity and pain.

But to suffer is human. Jesus himself told us this, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)

Thankfully our Heavenly Father understands our frailty, our sin, and that we periodically flounder with our trust and faith. But here's a fun fact! Through Gods strength, grace, mercy and love, he provides deliverance and victory from that which binds our faith and prevents spiritual growth.

When we pray and wait; when we drop to our knees in tears of sorrow; then pray and wait even longer; when God seems distant and uninterested in our plight, know this...God is in our waiting! Again, God is in our waiting! We may not always see evidence of this while in the thick of it, but he is working behind the scenes on our behalf and sees the whole picture in vivid color and finite detail.

Read this verse slowly, "The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you." (‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28:7-8‬ ‭NIV)‬‬
‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ ‬‬‬‬
A few days ago this passage impacted my thinking when it appeared on my bible app. In plain terms, there are times I feel defeated by the enemy. Is that relatable? But then I am reminded that Jesus has already defeated the devil, that because of his sacrifice on the cross for my sins, I am forgiven, I am victorious and I can overcome any storm thrown my way.‬‬‬‬

And so can you my friend. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Ask him to forgive you of your sins and invite him into your heart. Your life won't become battle free, but with the Savior by your side, you will never again be alone in your battle.

Amen to that!
‬‬
Paul Smyth

 
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Wonder where evil came from? Check out Tangle Untangled! A mini-series by Elizabeth Price.

 
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**Please note important announcement regarding the new template at the end of today's devotional**

"That same day two of Jesus' followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them.  But God kept them from recognizing him." (Luke 24:13-16 NLT)

Let me begin with a Tarzan story. Well, this is as real as it is surreal. Johnny Weissmuller was a Champion Olympic swimmer. He donned the role of Tarzan the ape man in the Silver screen with as much aplomb in the 1930s & 40s as he dominated the Olympic swimming lanes in 1920s. He also had a "close encounter of a different kind" with the Pro-Fidel Castro's soldiers in late 1950s, just as the Cuban uprising was reaching its peak. While on a recreational tour of Cuba, he and his golf mates were surrounded by gun-toting Cuban revolutionaries in one of Havana's suburbs. The revolutionaries mistook them for Pro-regime supporters, and their intent was to kidnap them. He tried to convince them that he was the harmless movie Tarzan star and that he was on a normal tour with no political links. When his pleading failed, he came up with a spectacular 'Tarzan act'. Thumping his chest in a typical Tarzan style, he gave out a blood curdling yell: "Kreegah Tarzan Bundalo". The highly impressed Pro-Castro's men immediately curtsied with the words, "Welcome Tarzan, welcome to Cuba!" They then escorted him and his friends to a safer area.

Let me cut this story short here; but doesn't this story mirror, at least in a small way, the anguish of our own Lord in identifying Himself to his disciples post-resurrection?

Take a look: Mary of Magdalene failed to recognize him at the first instance (See John 20:14-15), ditto it with his followers on the road to Emmaus (See Luke 24:13). Throw in the confused disciples and the other followers who mistook him for a ghost on his sensational appearance (See Luke 24:37), and the picture of 'identity crisis' of a special kind would be complete. No wonder there is a record of He rebuking them for unbelief (See Mark 16:14)!

With Easter around the corner, we will be taking a look at the 'Identification theme' in this mini-series, with the following topics:

1. Identifying the Resurrection prophecies;

2. Identifying the Messiah's cause;

3. Identifying ourselves with the Messiah's cause;

4. Identifying ourselves with the Resurrection power;

5. Identifying the Completion of the Salvation work;

6. Identifying the "Blessed hope" borne of "Resurrection" in believers by Unbelievers; and

7. Identifying the times we are living in.

We invite you to join us on Saturday for "Of Easter and Identity Crisis, Part 1: Identifying Resurrection Prophecies and their Significance."
 
Prayer: Father, at this time fill us with awe even as we ponder on the great miracle of Resurrection, which also fills us with Blessed Hope of Eternal life. In Jesus' Name.

Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries

 
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In His love,
Lyn Chaffart
Moderator, The Nugget, with Answers2Prayer Ministries 

 
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Welcome to the Nugget
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March 31, 2020

God Delivered me from PMS Today...
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By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us***  
 

*** Please note important announcement below today's message ***

God delivered me from PMS today...

"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you." (Romans 8:11 NIV)

I used to collect medicine. Not just prescription and over-the-counter drugs, but also herbal remedies, and even "magic". Whenever anyone wanted to throw out medication, even if it was expired, I was happy to buy the medicine from them. I would then write down the names of drugs and herbs, along with what they were good for, in order to know where to turn in times of need.

Praise be to God, His Spirit changed the desires of that heart many years ago, and I no longer have my collection, nor my lists (Notice, I said "that heart"!). I have to admit, however, that I am still tempted from time to time to continue my collection. Especially when I hear people talking about remedies. In fact, I was tempted just the other day as I was standing in the garden, trying to figure out what to do about a certain peacock who believes my garden is his to destroy.

Just a few minutes before I began writing this devotional, I was in extreme pain with PMS. Again, I was tempted to dip into the drugs. How wonderful is the Holy Spirit who guides me to His written Word and grounds me in it.

When we turn to God written word regarding our mortal bodies, those of us who believe in Jesus Christ and have His Spirit residing in us see a number of important truths:

1. God gave us the precious name of Jesus Christ;
2. God also gave us His Spirit: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. But his spirit who lives in us." (John 14:13 NIV).
3. In addition, God gives us the blood of Jesus: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." (Ephesians 1:7 NIV).

Thanks be to God for His written word! To Him be the glory and Almighty in Jesus Christ. I had been struggling to cook for my husband who was running late for work, a task made much more difficult by the pain in my gut. I didn't have plans to write this devotional. In fact, writing a devotional at this time would have been my last choice. Instead, I was sorely tempted to calm myself by using breathing techniques, and I was reaching for the bottle of pain killers. But God’s Word came to my mind: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (1 Cor. 6:19-20 NIV).

Instead, I started to pray. Or, to be more accurate, the Holy Spirit was praying through me, helping me to renounce all the lies I had always ascribed to that PMS won’t go away and that God can't heal my PMS. As I prayed, I claimed 1 Cor. 6:20: "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (NIV) and Isaiah 53:4-5: "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering...the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." (NIV)

As I prayed, claiming these verses from God’s Written Word, my PMS was--gone!

Let pray: Heavenly Father, whether we live in the time of Moses’ Law or this century law, we all follow the law of our worst enemy, and we forget You. But your love is bigger than our sin. Jesus’ work is finished. He is the victor! We thank You for forgiving our sin, and we thank the Holy Spirit for helping us to honor God with our bodies. We don't need to take the pills and then pray and ask that the medicine be turned into a magical potion to heal us, for Your written word tells us: "The Lord will answer when I call to him." (Psalm 4:3 NLT). Your Holy Work for us on Calvary is good enough! To God be the glory. Blessed be Your name, in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sophie Chun Ngeth
Announcement:
We needs your help.

The Nugget will soon be coming out in a new template that should be able to be viewed correctly from your mobile devices as well as your email programs, tablets, etc.

We have been trialing the new template with a few people, and so far, there have been no glitches. The last test, before we can launch with the new template, is a trial for everyone.

On Thursday, the Nugget will be sent to you in the new template. We will ask, on Thursday, that you email us if you have problems viewing the Nugget in its new form, telling us what device(s) you are using and if possible sending a screen shot of your mailing. 

Thank you so much for your patience and help through this transition period.

God bless each of you, and we are praying for each of you!

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Lyn Chaffart,
Moderator, The Nugget
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

Welcome to the Nugget

March 28, 2020

The Mona and the Glasses...
 

By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    The Mona. A small member of the primate family native to the lowlands of Ghana and Nigeria; introduced and thriving on the isle of Grenada...

That's where I made introductions with the critters. We were climbing back up to the parking lot after admiring Concord Falls when I noticed two of them in a nearby cage. They were absolutely adorable, and I couldn't stop myself from hurrying over.

"Be careful for your glasses," warned a friendly policeman.

My husband immediately took off his sunglasses, the kind that fit over your regular glasses, and backed away with a protective hand over his prescription eyewear.

Taking my cue from him, I removed my own sunglasses and backed away; but those little creatures were so incredibly cute! I had to get in close to get a picture!

"No!" admonished my husband. "Your glasses!"

I waved towards him with my sunglasses, and he took them from me. Then he started repeating himself: "Be careful with your glasses!"

I dismissed this. Hadn't I just given him my sunglasses? And so it was that I came in close enough to fit my camera lens between the bars. Just as I was about to snap my picture, however, I felt something sliding off my face, and in an instant, I could no longer see up close.

"He's got your glasses!" my husband cried.

I backed away and reached my hand to my face... "How could he have taken my glasses? I gave them to you..." But the last words dropped off as I got far enough away for my far-sighted eyes to again focus in the cage. Sure enough, the mona was chewing on a pair of glasses...

That's when reality set in. While carefully protecting my cheap sunglasses, I hadn't even given a second thought to my prescription eyewear ...

The policeman was now staring at me with an "I told you so" kind of look on his face. He had warned me! So had my husband, and I had listened to them both! But only to a degree; and now all I could do was watch that no-longer-cute creature ruin my only means of seeing anything up close...

The Bible warns us to put away sin from our lives, and most serious Christians attempt to do just that. We shun immorality. We don't lie or cheat. We give our 10% to the poor. We wouldn't think of stealing and we don't kill. We put away our "sunglasses".

Meanwhile, however, most of us are still clinging to our "prescription eyewear", sometimes without even realizing it. We get angry. We have a hard time forgiving. We judge others. Everything is all about--us! And these are the things that will really eat away at our hearts. Didn't Jesus say: "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, a and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment...You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28 NIV).

Examining our hearts for the visible sin isn't enough. Rather, we need to spend time daily with the Lord, asking Him to reveal to us those "secret" sins that can be so damaging to our souls. Otherwise, we may find ourselves in far more trouble than I did when that crazy monkey stole my prescription eyewear! We may find ourselves, "subject to judgment"!

But wait. Didn't Jesus die on that cross to forgive me of all my sin? Why should I even worry about the hidden ones?

Remember how that Mona reached out and stole my glasses, rendering me completely blind for anything close up? In the same way, the devil will latch on to the secret sins in our hearts and use these to steal our joy and happiness. For example, unforgiveness, anger and lack of faith can easily push us into depression. When we judge others, we will cause others to sin. Besides, all sin works to separate us from God: "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:1-2 NIV); and we are told: "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper..." (Prov. 28:13 NIV)

Don't get caught without your glasses like I did. Heed the warnings. Ask God to help you identify the sin in your heart that has become so much a part of you that you no longer think of it as sin. Get rid of it, for when you do, the devil will not be able to have a strong hold on your life. You will be free to live, free to love, free to serve, and free to accept and utilize the peace and joy and love that God has to give each of us.

Fortunately someone came and rescued my glasses, and they came through unharmed. Will your next encounter with the devil's forces end in such good results? Think about it!

And in the interim, why not join me in this prayer from King David: "But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults." (Ps. 19:12 NIV)

In His love,
Lyn


Lynona Gordon Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two, Author -- "Aboard God's Train -- A Journey With God Through the Valley of Cancer", Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, with Answers2Prayer Ministries. Follow Lyn on Twitter @lynchaffart. 
Announcement:
Please join in a 24 hour prayer chain, praying agaist COVID-19. 

A world day of prayer is called for Sunday, March 29, at 12 noon local time.

All Christians are asked to pray at home from 12 noon to 1 pm, covering the globe in 24 hours of prayer. Please join in, and also forward this to all the Christians you know.

Pray for: 
1. The stop of the spread of COVID-19
2. The recovery of those already infected
3. Peace for the families who lost loved ones
4. Restoration of the economies of the world
5. Wisdom for governments who have to manage the outbreak
6. For people to seek and get to know the living God

Let's cover the 24 hour period on Sunday with heartfelt, sincere, intercessory prayer!

Please pass this on to everyone you know. 

God bless each of you, and please, please, please, self-isolate and stay safe!

In His love,
Lyn Chaffart, 
Moderator, The Nugget 
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

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March 26, 2020

Sweet Seasons
 

By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. day after day they continue to speak; night after night they  make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world." (Ps. 19:1-4a NLT)

Beep! Beep! Beep!  I rolled over and turned off my alarm clock.  It was still dark outside so I felt my way to the wall switch and turned on the light.  I got dressed quickly because I knew both of my dogs would be eager to get outside for their morning walk.  I reached over to grab a coat and stopped.  It was technically still Fall but the weather here in the Appalachian mountains of my home didn't follow a calendar.  It had been cold and snowy two days ago and warm and rainy yesterday.  I had forgotten to check the weather report for today, however, so I wasn't sure if I needed my light jacket or my heavy coat.

I decided on my light jacket, pulled it on, and leashed up my bigger dog, Fluffy to walk first.  I opened the door and stepped outside.  Instantly I knew I had made the wrong choice.  Each breath I exhaled was a frozen mist.  The wind chill was bitter cold. The grass was covered in frost and I tied to keep my balance while Fluffy dragged me along behind him. 

I shivered and grumbled for a bit but finally I turned my head up to the heavens.  I looked up at the pre-dawn sky and saw it was full of twinkling stars.  The man in the moon was smiling down on me too.  It was so beautiful and so peaceful.  Suddenly, I felt a warmth inside of me and stopped shivering.  While my dog sniffed the ground I opened my heart to the wonder of God's creation.  In all of its sweet seasons it had never failed to touch my soul.  It had heated my heart on the coldest days and lighted my spirit on the darkest nights.  I stood there awhile in nature's cathedral.  Then I thanked God for the love that created the moon, the stars, and me.

Our lives here are full of sweet seasons as well.  From the innocence and youth of Spring to the wisdom and wrinkles of Winter we are all called to live, to give, to grow and to love.  Enjoy all your sweet seasons then.  Make each day of them a creation of your love.

Joseph J. Mazzella  
Announcement:
Do you have a prayer request? Do you know someone who needs to be prayed for? Prayer works! The Bible confirms this in James 5:16: "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (NIV) Send your prayer request here and let us pray in agreement with you! Matt 18:20: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (NIV) Hallelujah!
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

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February 15, 2020

Why God???
Why is this Happening to Me???
 

By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    Why is this happening to me?

This is a question I've heard voice so many times. Hey, it's a question I've screamed out and demanded answers to!

You can all relate. When snowed under with health problems, drowning in grief, hit blind-sided by broken relationships, when our world is turned upside down by that loss of job or home, by the rebellion of our teens...even the most trusting among us will find themselves screaming forth the question: "Why God? Why is this happening to me???"

I am sorry to disappoint you, but I don't know the answer to this question. Problem is, although sometimes we will learn the "why" to bad news, often that information is never revealed to us this side of Heaven! Our job is to trust God with the "why"!

Though I don't have the answers, my cat shed a good deal of light on this question for me this morning, and I pray it will shed some light on your situations as well...

Roxy had jumped up on my lap; but as she stretched out on my knees, purring and licking my hand, my nose was registering something less than pleasant...

Roxy has a sensitive stomach, and any change in her food will give her diarrhea. Because she's a long-haired cat...Well, I don't think I need to be any more graphic...You are getting the picture...

Unfortunately, the only way to clean up this particular kind of mess is to snip it away from her backside. Please understand that I felt terrible, because I know how much she hates the scissors; but there was no other way. And to ensure that her very vocal objections would not result in any type of injury to us or to herself, I wrapped her in a towel and enlisted the help of my husband. The whole procedure took less than five minutes, but Roxy spent the next couple of hours sulking...

Of course it was all for Roxy's own good. The whole procedure could have been far less of an ordeal if she would have simply sat still and let me snip away the mess; but she didn't understand this. In fact, I doubt she even realized her backside was dirty, and she was completely oblivious to the fact that the foul odor was negatively affecting our relationship.

So where is the spiritual lesson I promised?

Just this: When we are going through the toughest of times, it literally feels like someone has put a sac over our heads and bound us up in a straightjacket. We don't like it, and we are very vocal about our protest. Instead of hissing and yowling, our mouths scream forth the ultimate question: "Why, God! Why is this happening to me???"

But let's look at it from God's perspective. God sees what we don't. He "smells" our ugly sin, and it isn't exactly a "pleasing aroma" to His Heavenly nostrils. In fact, the Bible teaches that God cannot abide the presence of sin: "O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked." (Ps. 5:4 NLT). If we have accepted Jesus' gift of Salvation, our sin is forgiven; but just like the foul odors from my cat's rear end were keeping me from being able to have a relationship with her this morning, our sin keeps us from being close to God!

Am I making this up for the sake of my illustration?

Not at all. Check out this verse in Isaiah: "It's your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore." (Is. 59:2 NLT).

Rather than abandon the relationship, God takes action. He sent His son. Then to everyone who accepts His gift of Salvation, He sends His Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin: "And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment." (John 16:8 NLT). Unfortunately, sometimes we don't listen, and much like Roxy was oblivious to the fact that her backside was dirty, we often aren't even aware of the sin hanging around in our lives.

Now I'm not saying God brings trials upon us; but He does know how to bring good out of bad situations: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28 NLT). He uses these trials to not only help us become aware of our sin, but also to heal us of that sin.

Here is an example of what I'm saying here: All my life I have had difficult letting God be in control. I wasn't really aware of the problem, but six years ago, I walked the valley of breast cancer. Through it all, God walked with me, He held my hand, and He brought me ultimate healing; but in the meantime, He did something else. He made me aware of my control issues, He planted the desire in my heart to relinquish complete control to Him, and He provided me with the tools to continue to do so, even after cancer. God used the cancer walk to "clean up" so to speak, my control issues, so that we can now have a closer relationship.

Therefore, while we are screaming forth at the top of our lungs, "Why God? Why is this happening to me", I might suggest that we are asking the wrong question. What if we were to change our cry a bit? What if it went something like this instead: "God, show me the ‘dirt' You need to clean up in my life so that our relationship will be stronger!"

Remember: God works good out of bad situations. This truth stands firm, especially in the midst of our pain!

In His love,
Lyn

Lynona Gordon Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two, Author -- "Aboard God's Train -- A Journey With God Through the Valley of Cancer", Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, with Answers2Prayer Ministries. Follow Lyn on Twitter @lynchaffart. 
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Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

Welcome to the Nugget

February 6, 2020

Comfort in the MIDST of trials: A Testimony
 

By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    I don't know about you, but I find personally that I am at my weakest in the MIDST of the trial. It's so hard to keep walking in faith when the natural world--and logic as well!--point in an entirely different direction. The testimony that follows is one that served to give me a little "slap" on the back of the hand, so to speak, for tending to look only at the "natural," instead of towards the "supernatural God". Sophie, a mom in California, risks heart-break at the rebellion of her daughter. The rebellion does not seem to have any earthly end, yet Sophie looks beyond the natural to our all-loving Father. Her story was a wake-up call to me. I pray it will be to you as well...


Comfort in the midst of Trials: A Personal Testimony...

I would like to share a story with you, a true story about my daughter and me. I do not share this story to put myself or my daughter in the limelight, but rather, it is all about God who loves us enough that He sent His Son to die for our sins. It is all about Jesus who did the will of the Heavenly Father so that we who believe in Him might receive the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to help us and to fill us with Joy in His presence. I pray that someone will be helped by reading my story.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good." (Genesis 50:20 NIV)

My oldest daughter has not turned to God. She told her two siblings that this was because I am a strong believer in Jesus Christ, and that I put God above her. She even accused me directly one day: "You went to church and didn't even care if I died. Instead of getting me toilet paper, you went to church!" I remembered the incident well. We had been on the road to church for half an hour when she called, very angry, that we had run out of toilet paper...I suggested that she use tissue and promised to buy some toilet paper; but apparently in her mind I was not being sensitive to her emergency. She didn't want any part of a God who would stand in the way of her getting the toilet paper she needed.

She has continued over the months to become more and more arrogant and rebellious. She finally asked me to admit her to the hospital, stating that she preferred to do what counselors and doctors tell her rather than submitting to God...

I wish I could say that the story has ended, but it hasn't. I commit my daughter into God's faithful, loving hands. What I wish to share is how God is comforting me and encouraging me throughout this time.

During those two days that my daughter was in the hospital, I was not allowed to see her or talk to her. You can understand that my level of fear for my daughter was very, very high. During that time, God gave me two Bible stories, and these two stories literally held me together.

The first is the story of the Canaanite woman who begged Jesus to heal her daughter of an evil spirit. The story is recorded in Matthew 15:22-29: "A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.'" (Matt. 15: 22 NIV)

Jesus did not immediately heal the woman's daughter. Only when she pleaded with Him did He heal her (See. Matt. 15:23-27). In the end, however, Jesus said to the woman: "'Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.' And her daughter was healed at that moment." (Matt. 15:28 NIV)

The second story is when Jesus healed the centurion's servant, as recorded in Luke 7:1-10 and Matt. 8:5-13. The centurion sent a man to Jesus telling Him that He didn't even need to come. All He needed to do was to speak forth the Word, and the servant would be healed. Jesus' response? "When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, 'I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.' Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well." (Luke 7:9-10 NIV)

In both of these stories, faith was the key. Was God telling me I simply needed to have faith that He would heal my daughter?

This gave me immeasurable hope.

Because of the level of hostility, I did not think my daughter should return home with me once she was released from the hospital, and I began to think about where she might be able to go to stay for a few days. Before I could find someone, the nurse from the hospital called to say my daughter was being released. What would I do?

Just then, a friend of mine called me to ask how my daughter was doing. She offered to open her home to my daughter. I was tempted to accept her offer, but as I opened my mouth to say "yes", the words came out totally different than I had expected. I believe God was talking to my friend through my mouth as I told her how I had always sent my daughter away in these situations, to a friend's house, or even to my sister in France.

God then placed those two stories in my mind again, and I began to ask myself just where this Canaanite woman's daughter was living during this time. The bible doesn't tell us, but logic would dictate that she was living with her mother.

And what about the centurion's servant?

The Bible does tell us this: "Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well." (Luke 7:10b NIV). He was living at the centurion's home!

God's message to me was clear, and instead of saying "yes" to my friend's kind offer, I said, "No, thank you, my friend."

The Bible says, "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Ps. 16:11 NIV). I believe that God was doing just that: He was showing me the path I needed to take with my daughter. I needed to bring her home, and I needed to believe that the same Jesus who healed the Canaanite woman's daughter and the centurion's servant was still on His throne, still big enough to heal my daughter. He has given me peace, just like He promised in Romans 15:13: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen." (NIV).

Even though the story continues, I already know how it will end. Like the Canaanite woman and the centurion, I fully put all my trust in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. And just as the woman's daughter and the centurion's servant were both healed, God will be the victor in my daughter's life as well. To God be the glory. Amen.

One in Christ,
Sophie Chun Ngeth
  
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Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

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February 4, 2020

Finding God's Direction for my Life
 

By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    After I delivered a message on courage to few hundred women, I stood on stage, wireless mic in hand, and with a smile of delight I answered questions from the audience. Here's one of them:

What is the most daring thing you did after you lost your sight?

Hmmm...should I or shouldn't I tell them? Why not? Here it goes:

A few years ago, I was in California attending a writers' conference. A friend jokingly asked, "Do you want to drive?"

I stopped, looked in her direction and with a deviant look I answered, "Yes."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"No, the question is, are you sure you want me to drive your car?"

"Why not."

She placed the car keys in my hand. I felt my way around to the driver's side, ran my fingers till I found the handle and opened the door. I settled in the driver's seat. "Okay, here we go." I fumbled a bit to find the ignition, then inserted the key and started the engine.

Once she guided me to the right gear, she gave firm, clear instructions.

Not having any sight at all for over 25 years, driving a car again had been but a dream for me. My heart was beating a bit fast with excitement.

"Keep it straight now, a little to the left, now to the right just a bit, not much."

I followed each instruction. "Give it a little gas," she said. I did. We were on a hill. What fun!

I know what you're thinking, a bit crazy! I agree. But now years later, I can tell you the reason I was able to drive her car. It was because she was with me. I trusted in her ability to give me instructions and direction to tell me what to do, where to turn and when to slow down.

Life is the same. While on the road of life, we're often blind to what will be around the corner, what will pop up unexpectedly, and where the ditches of heartache are.

But we reach our destination safely only when we realize our blindness and recognize God's vision for our future. That vision is stated in the Bible. Then, following the GPS of Scripture, we have the confidence to move forward, knowing God is by our side, calling out each instruction.

That's because, "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16)

Like my friend, God is patient as He instructs, corrects and tells us to wait, slow down or stop.

Whether we're about to enter into a new relationship, a new job, a new chapter or entering an unfamiliar stage of life, God's speaking gently and clearly.

He never leaves us on our own to blindly drive through life, He said, "'Never will I leave you..., never will I forsake you.' So, we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid' NIV).

Let's Pray:  Father, so often I've driven the vehicle of my own life, encountering cliffs of adversity, potholes of setbacks and disappointments that took me on unwanted detours. But now, listening to the instructions in your Word, the road is secure and the ride is smooth. In Jesus' name, amen.

Have you considered Gods instructions that are found in the Bible before you make a decision? Before you head in a new direction?

Janet Eckles

If this message resonated with you, please visit Janet's cyberspace home for more inspiration. 
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Keep looking up! All the time! Whatever it is you're going through, keep your eyes on Him, not on the storm! You'll be amazed at the peace you will have!
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

Welcome to the Nugget

February 1, 2010

The Pearly Gates: The Pearl, Part 3
 

By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    Last Thursday, in "The Pearl, Part 2", we saw that Jesus used the pearl, a gem that was unvalued and considered "unclean" by the people of His day, to teach us that the "pearls" we will grow out of our trials should be sought after at all cost, even to ourselves. He used this gem to teach us that we must have a heart that is open and searching or we may not even recognize that the pearls of wisdom that can only develop from trials and hard times are of any value at all. But are the "pearls of wisdom" really worth the personal cost?

Let's take a look at the last time the Bible mentions pearls: "The twelve gates were made of pearls--each gate from a single pearl!" (Rev. 21:21 NLT).

Notice that the "gates" being described here are the portals through which one must pass in order to enter or exit the New Jerusalem. Imagine the intensity of suffering it would take to cause an oyster to develop a pearl the size of a gate! Let's also remember what Jesus says about gates into Heaven: "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep." (John 10:7 NIV).

The fact that the "gates" of the New Jerusalem are represented by gigantic pearls helps us to remember that in order to enter into life eternal, we must go through Jesus; and in order for Jesus to become this "gate", He had to endure ultimate suffering and even death. It was His pain that brought us the ability to enter into life eternal. He is the "pearl of great price", the "pearl" that is only found if we diligently seek it, the "pearl" that many will be too proud to realize they need.

Just as Jesus is our ultimate example (1 Peter 2:21-25), our "irritations", the suffering and pain of this life, can be used to mold and make us, to teach us the "pearls of wisdom" that Solomon urges us to seek (See Prov. 4:5,6). And just maybe, this same suffering and pain that life throws our way may open the door for ultimate good for others as well!

But wait a minute. Is this act of comparing our own suffering to Jesus' suffering on the cross truly correct? After all, Jesus' suffering opened the gates of Heaven, and nothing we do, no matter how wise, will ever earn us our Salvation (See Is. 64:6). Why, then, is it so important to seek these "pearls of wisdom"? Why must we endure the problems of life to grow them?

In order to answer this, let's remember the story of the potter and the clay: "'Jeremiah, go down to the potter's house. I will give you my message there.' So I went down to the potter's house and saw him working with clay at the wheel. He was making a pot from clay. But there was something wrong with the pot. So the potter used that clay to make another pot. With his hands he shaped the pot the way he wanted it to be." (Jeremiah 18:2-4 NIV. See also Isaiah 64:8).

In His letter to Timothy, Paul instructs us to strive to be instruments that are excellent enough to be used in God's hands: "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." (1 Tim. 2:20-20 NIV). In order for us to be the vessels God asks us to be, we need to be molded by Him. This molding process isn't fun, but it is necessary if we are to strive to be the, "instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

If Jesus endured intense suffered for the ultimate good, then we must once again ask ourself: What will we do in the face of the trouble that has come upon us? Will we be like most living creatures and watch and worry as it festers and spreads? Will we try to remove it, and in the process, remove some of ourselves as well? Or will we, like the oyster, use the negative circumstances to form a pearl of wisdom that can be used to mold us and make us into that special instrument to be used by the Master's hand?

Remember that it is only through intense suffering that Jesus was able to open the gates of Heaven, and it is often only through the trials and "irritants" of life that we, also, are able to be molded and formed into something beautiful. I urge each of you today, in the face of your dire circumstances, to be an oyster. Allow that "irritant"--that horrible circumstance you find yourself in--to be used by God to form a pearl, a pearl of wisdom, a pearl to be sought after, a pearl that may actually work for the ultimate good of mankind.

In His love,
Lyn


Lynona Gordon Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two, Author -- "Aboard God's Train -- A Journey With God Through the Valley of Cancer", Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, with Answers2Prayer Ministries. Follow Lyn on Twitter @lynchaffart. 
Announcement:
To access the entire "The Pearl" mini-series, please click here. If you have no access to the Internet, please email me and I'll be happy to send you the previously published parts.
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

Welcome to the Nugget

January 23, 2020

Dirty Dishes
 

By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    "It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy." (Romans 9:16 NIV)

One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn as an adult is to rely on God's mercy instead of my own drive, desire or effort.

Just a few minute ago, I was washing the dishes. The sink had been piled high with dirty plates and bowls by various members of my family who ate at different times and then left the dishes for...me! I admit, I was tempted to complain. I wanted to focus my prayer on asking God to give me my heart's desire: That everyone would do their own dishes! The Holy Spirit remind me right then to thank God instead of complaining. Had He not already provided the water and soap for me to wash the dishes? And couldn't I thank God that I am healthy and physically able to wash dishes, and not on bed rest? That I have hands and feet that are capable of washing dishes and are free of pain?

In the words of Saint Augustine: "We must be emptied of what we are full, so that we may be filled with what we are empty. Too often mankind looks upon God's mercy as recognition or reward for the work we've done. We think our efforts cause God to look upon us with more favor. However, if we expected a specific rewarded for our desire or effort with His Mercy, then we would be filled with pride because of what we had accomplished. The election of God is not something we can run for, earn or win. The reward does not depend on anything we do."

I am reminded of the story in Matt. 20:20-24: "Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 'What is it you want?' he asked. She said, 'Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.' 'You don't know what you are asking,' Jesus said to them. 'Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?' 'We can,' they answered. Jesus said to them, 'You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.'" (NIV)

As soon as I finished this devotional, I discovered that my husband had come home and eaten supper while I was writing...and he had washed his own dishes! Praise God!

Our Heavenly Father is faithful: "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." (Hebrews 6:10-12 NIV)

Let pray: Heavenly Father, help us to do Your will. Not because we want to earn a specific reward. Thank you for Jesus Christ's words before He died. Our Great High Priest Jesus Christ said: "It is finished." (John 19:30 NIV), and "Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." (Romans 8:34 NIV) Bless be his name. And thank You for Your disciple, who reminds us in his letter in Hebrews: "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them..." (Heb. 6:10 NIV). We praise you. Amen.

One in Christ,
Sophie Chun Ngeth
  
Announcement:
Why not take a moment and thank God for His blessings, rather than to complain about whatever it is that you face today? I an guarantee you it will cause you to have a total change in perspective...
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

Welcome to the Nugget

January 21, 2020

Similarities...ALL the Way! Part 4
 

By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    Today in the concluding part of our series focusing on the similarities of the Church of the bygone Covenant (Acts 7:38) and the One of the Present Covenant, we shall train the spotlight on the following sub-topics...

Draw...

Having compared ourselves to our Old Testament counterparts all along, how about now hitting a related loop line of "methodology" to win our Jewish "friends" to the Lord? In a way, don't we owe our salvation to them ("for salvation comes through the Jews..." John 4:22-23)? And the best way to say "thanks" would be to lead them to a "Messiah-oriented" Salvation!

One way to draw them to Christ through an exercise born out of love and respect that causes them to become "plain jealous". Seem confusing? Let me explain: In our interactions, we need to let them notice the "X" factor (the perpetual joy and peace of the indwelling Holy Spirit) which distinguishes us from them. Don't the Scriptures even say that our Heavenly Father will use the "jealousy" factor to draw them to their Messiah? "Did God's people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves." (Rom 11:11 NLT). Whilst for them the "Kingdom of God" is an "expectation" (which the Messiah would usher in one day), we need to prayerfully tell them with love, both through our lip and our lives, that for us it is already an "experience" courtesy of the s ame Messiah who has placed His Spirit within us (Rom 14:17). Then we need to commit them to prayer that God's Spirit will help them to see and understand truth.


Delight...

Dear friends, In conclusion, all I would like to say is that we should always delight in the Lord: "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires." (Ps. 37:4 NLT), even while preserving with perseverance our right relationship with the One who loves us the most: "Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." (Phil. 2:12-13 NLT). Nothing quite like being the Jews during King David's reign! Besides constituting the "Golden age" of Jewish spiritual history, this was also a pointer to the coming Millennial age, when David's son, the Messiah, will rule on Planet Earth, and "God's will would be done on Earth as it is in Heaven" for most of the time. The Christian equivalent of David's reign would be the "ideal settings" that could b e seen in the Early Jerusalem Church (See Acts 2:37 - Acts 5), or the one in Antioch (Acts 11:19-30/Acts 13:1-3/Acts 14:24-27/Acts 15:22-35), which were also pointers to the near-perfect conditions that would prevail during the Millennial age (See Rev. 20:1-6). Even in 2019, let's endeavour to be in those conditions, "in spirit". There is nothing quite like spiritual travel "back in time" for the better!

Prayer: Father, strengthen us with thy indwelling Spirit even as we wait with eager anticipation for the time when Your will would be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen

Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries

The is the last part of the mini-series, "Similarities...ALL the Way!", showing us how the old and new covenants complement each other. If you have missed any of the lessons, you are invited to access them here; or if you do not have access to the internet, please email me and I will send them to you. God bless you as you continue to know Him more and more! 
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Lyn Chaffart,
Moderator, The Nugget
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

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January 18, 2020

Similarities...ALL the Way! Part 3
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By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us   
 

Today in the penultimate, while focusing on the similarities between the church of the erstwhile Covenant (Acts 7:38) and the one of the prevalent Covenant, we train the spotlight on the following sub-topics...


Discipline...

Any Christian worth his honesty salt would testify that whenever he went astray, the concerned Heavenly Father would discipline him by using his "hostile" immediate next door "neighbors" (any 1 of the 5 categories mentioned last time, including unsaved neighbours, unsaved government, unsaved bosses, unsaved family members and unsaved former friends). In retrospect, a Christian would always thank the Lord for the "benefits of chastening": "My child, don't make light of the LORD's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." (Heb. 12 5b, 6a NLT; see also Heb. 12:5-11)!

What about our Jewish counterparts? Was anything different? No way. The Book of Judges bears witness to the fact as to how the good Lord would use the "antagonistic neigbours" umpteen times to put the errant Jews back on the "right track" (See Judges 2:11-18/Ps. 119:71-72).

It would also serve us well to note at this juncture that there has always been an escalating order in punishments reserved for the Jews and Christians. Jews, despite being chastened by the good Lord (by using the adverse neighbours), would not lose out on their Promised Land. The highest punishment (again aimed at their spiritual benefit) of losing the "Promised Land" itself would come eventually only on they continued exhibiting stubbornness to remain in sin. Ditto with the Christians. The eventual punishment of losing out on the "joyous presence of the Holy Spirit" is reserved only for those who become insensitive to "smaller punishments".


Desert...

The Jewish "Church" (see Acts 7:38), when despite warnings from diligent prophets it kept plunging headlong into sin, was finally handed over to the very hands it was liberated from...Satanic agents (liberated from World super power Egypt). Continual disobedience resulted in these painful consequences...

a) Israel (comprising 10 ten tribes) being handed over into the hands of super power Assyrians (Satanic agent See Rev. 13:1) in 722 BC (see 2 Kings 17:4-7); and then

b) Judah (comprising 2 tribes) being handed over into the hands of the world ruler...the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar (at least initially a Satanic agent till his great reformation — See Dan 4) in 586 BC (See 2 Chron. 36:12-15).

When a Christian plunges headlong into sin, having lost his "first-love" for the Lord, the final terrible punishment (albeit administered with an aim directed at his eventual spiritual recovery -- see Mal. 3:3), as he becomes insensitive to "smaller punishments", would well be around the corner...of being handed over into the very evil hands from which he was rescued (see 1 Cor. 5:5/1 Tim. 1:18-20). Without an ounce of the Holy Spirit, it would be a horrific, excruciating experience of spiritual agony with the "leanness of the soul" (See Ps. 106:15), adding to the virtual "hell-like" spiritual condit ion. It is in these exacerbating conditions on realizing the value of "virtual Heaven on Earth", wrought by the presence of the Holy Spirit, that his love for the Lord would be rekindled and his life would turn the corner for good (See 2 Cor. 2:6-8).

Having gone through it once in my life, ideally I wouldn't want even my worst enemies to go through the same. In retrospect, however, I must be admitted that a Christian at the end of it all emerges out of it as a more "well-rounded" one...of being more empathetic to other Christians going through the desert experience!!!

Prayer: Father, we simply are awed by the infinite wisdom and patience You exhibit in leading us in our Heaven-bound journey. Enable us to trust Thee in all kinds of circumstances. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries
Announcement:
Join us next Tuesday to learn how both covenants draw us in and bring us delight in "Similarities...ALL the Way! Part 4".
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

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January 16, 2020

Similarities...ALL the Way! Part 2
 

By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    Continuing to focus on the similarities of the Church of the Bygone Covenant (Acts 7:38) and the One of the existing Covenant, today we come to the following sub-topics...


Depth...

The depth of relationship of Almighty God had with the Jews in the Old dispensation and we Christians have with Christ in the New One can best be envisaged by pondering on the following Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, respectively...

"...for he who harms you sticks his finger in Jehovah's eye!" (Zech. 2:8 TLB)

"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" (Acts 9:4 NLT)

Anyone fiddling with God's covenanted people would be fiddling with the Almighty Himself (See also: Deut. 32:10/Ps. 17:8/Esther 6:13). For Christ, as "...the head of the church, which is his body..." (Col. 1:18 NLT), would feel both the joys and pain brought forth upon His "body" by ones outside that "body".


Destination...

"Rather, the land you will soon take over is a land of hills and valleys with plenty of rain -- a land that the LORD your God cares for. He watches over it through each season of the year!" (Deut. 11:11-12 NLT; See also John 7:37-38)

The people of Israel would be settled in the "Promised Land", which was virtually a foretaste of Heaven (See Deut 11:11-12 above). In due time, through their anointed Servants of God, they would come to know that there is a better "permanent Heavenly home" awaiting the righteous (See Psalm 23:6/Eccl. 12:7, 14/Daniel 12:2). They would learnthat their physical "Promised Land" is not be viewed as the "be all and end all" of their "spiritual walk with God". The Blessed land of "milk and honey" for the Jews would in a way only foreshadow the glorious Heavenly Home.

By the time of Jesus' birth, there was a zealous religious sect, namely the Pharisees, who would subscribe to the "Doctrine of After-life" as their key supportive scriptural declaration for their spiritual ideological stand about being "...gathered to his people..." (Genesis 25:8; See also Genesis 35:29/Judges 2:10). Though by and large, many of this ilk had become hypocritical during Jesus' Ministry, several, including one gent named Saul (sic), would later on become Christians (See Acts 6:7, Acts 15:5, Acts 23:6).

Ditto with the Christians! Though we may not physically see the future Heavenly home, the "mini-heaven" the good Lord has placed in our hearts (ie: the perpetual peace and joy of the Holy Spirit and the needed strength to overcome trials -- See Romans 14:7, Eph. 1:13-14, John 7:37-38, 1 Peter 1:6-8) foreshadows the "real heaven" that we would enjoy one day (See Romans 8:18-25).


Difficulties next door...

A careful scrutiny of the first epistle of the Apostle Peter would reveal that our Heavenly Father, in His Sovereign wisdom, permits "prickly neighbourhood" of 5 categories in the lives Christians. Besetting difficulties in the form of unsaved neighbours, unsaved government, unsaved boss, unsaved family members and unsaved former friends always surround us (See 1 Peter 2:12-23/1 Peter 3:1-5/1 Peter 4:4). This is in order that we might live a greater God-dependent life, drawing from His infinite spiritual strength, even whilst being transformed into a Christ-like image (See Romans 5:3-4/James 1:2-3/2 Cor 3:18). Enduring those "thorny" conditions is what cross-bearing (being at the receiving end of injustice and lies) is all about. Perceiving the utility of these conditions, Sadhu Sundar Singh wisely observed "Cross bears those who bear the Cross".

And our Old Testament counterparts? Well, they could "count" on their difficult neighbours (Philistines, surviving Canaanites...and hmmmm...even their hostile "cousins" across River Jordan)to make them  live a more God-dependent life (See Judges 2:21-23)! While on the paramount subject of "God-dependence", let it be said that this is -- and will always be -- the original purpose of God-man relationship. Adam was created for it but he "declared" his independence and paid a heavy price (See Genesis 3).

At this point, it would serve us well to distinguish the pain wrought by tribulation (suffering being righteous) and retribution (read punishment-suffering being a sinner). While both kinds of pain have a common refining effect ("He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord." Mal. 3:3 NLT), we ought to prefer only the one associated with tribulation, for cross-bearing is indispensable in a Christian's life (See Rom 5:3-4).

Prayer: Father, once again we praise and thank Thee for Thy wisdom in leading us in the straight and narrow path. Make us trust thee at all times through thick and thin. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries  
Announcement:
Join us next Saturday to learn what "discipline" and the "desert experience" can teach us about the similarities between the two covenants in "Similarities...ALL the Way! Part 3".
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

Welcome to the Nugget

January 11, 2020

Perspectives...
 

By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Phil. 4:8 NLT)

Last night I went to sleep praising God for the many answered prayers of the day. Medical tests had come back normal; the government-funded home care agency was doubling the amount of help they were willing to give my mother; and perhaps the biggest "Praise God" was that my son, a first year PhD student in Canada, who has spent the first month of his university program living in a 12-foot, non-winterized fold-up trailer, finally found a suitable apartment for the remainder of his program. Yes. All major answers to prayer, and I was singing God's praises. I was on a "high" for sure.

I slept well until about 3:00 am. From then on, I tossed and turned and fretted.

Oh, I remembered the apartment all right. I remembered that moving his things from our home to his new apartment would put plenty of stress on our time and finances, and I remembered that it meant my final child was officially "leaving the nest"...

And yes, I remembered the normal medical test results. I remembered that this meant we still didn't know what was behind the odd symptoms, and I went on to remember all the possible bad scenarios those symptoms could lead to...

And yes, I remembered my mother's extra assistance. I remembered that it was her deteriorating health that made this necessary...

I could go on, but needless to say, it wasn't long before I was in the depths of depression.

Why? The negative things were all there when I spent the evening praising God, and the positive things were still there even though I was so depressed!

The answer is simply this: My perspective changed, and that change in perspective was enough to drive me down from a "mountain-top high" into the lowest of lows.

This isn't the first time this has happened, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Something was different this time, though. This time God reminded me of my happiness the previous evening. He reminded me that I didn't have to succumb to the depression. He planted the thought in my head that if dwelling on the negative side (and any situation has a negative side!) drove me from sublime happiness to the depths of depression, then perhaps things could be reversed by dwelling on God's blessings instead of on the negative...

Would it work?

I decided to put it to test. I began to thank God once again for the miracles of the previous day. It wasn't even 5 minutes before I was back on my spiritual high.

The world's wisest man tells us: "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22). I believe I experienced that this morning...

But wait. Isn't this just some kind of a mind game? You know, if you think positive you will feel better? But thinking positive doesn't make the negative stuff go away!

True enough; but by focusing on the miracles instead of on the negative, I was able to remember that the God who worked these miracles in the first place is big enough to help me (us!) through the rest!

God gives us a powerful and interesting prophecy through the prophet Jeremiah: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jer. 29:11 ESV). In other words, it doesn't matter what kind of negative circumstances may abound; God has plans for our welfare, to bring us hope! Focussing on the negative circumstances will only make us forget this Truth; but when we focus instead on the miracles and blessings of God, it all comes back into sharp focus: Whatever it is we're up again, God has got this!

In his letter to Rome, Paul gave us some very wise words: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom. 12:2 ESV). By focusing on God and His blessings, our minds are renewed. We become better able to hear God's voice. We don't need to be pulled down the paths of worry and depression and fear. Our God will bring us through, no matter what. By focusing on Him, this Truth changes our mindset, allowing joy to return, and perhaps most importantly, allowing us to be renewed and better able to hear God's voice.

Does perspective matter?

You bet it does! Especially when it is God's perspective!

What are you in the midst of at the moment? What is pulling you down? Instead of focusing on the very real negative circumstances, why not spend some time focusing on the miracles and blessings of God in your life? I can guarantee that this change in perspective will bring you out of the pit of depression. Why not try it today?

In His love,
Lyn


Lynona Gordon Chaffart, Retired Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two young adults, Author -- "Aboard God's Train -- A Journey With God Through the Valley of Cancer", Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, The Illustrator, a 4-times per week internet Newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, with Answers2Prayer Ministries. 
Announcement:
It's the middle of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere, a time when words like "Thermostats" and "Thermometers" become so important...What is the difference in these two tools, you ask? Just this: One measures temperature, while the other changes it. Join us next week for "Of Thermometers and Thermostats", a mini-series by Suresh Manoharan, to learn how to become "spiritual thermostats" instead of simple "spiritual thermometers"!
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

Welcome to the Nugget

January 9, 2020

Does God Answer Prayers Today?
 
By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    "It was a devastating car accident," a member of the Bible study said. "The healing was miraculous. I had broken bones. They healed with no need for casts. I had cuts on my face. They healed with no scars. And doctors said I would lose my teeth as they had turned gray and they began to die due to the severe impact. But God healed them as they turned white before my eyes, leaving the doctors stunned."

We all listened in awe. Yet when we hear of these miracles, we can't help but wonder why our own prayers aren't answered and why miracles seem to pass us by...

I imagine Joni Erickson might have wondered the same from time to time while spending her life paralyzed in a wheel chair.

But even when we question, God still insists we bring our requests before Him: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6 NIV). And when we do, here are five steps to make sure He will answer them:

5 Steps to Answered Prayer

1. Readjust our priorities. If our # 1 priority is to seek answers rather than seeking God Himself, God will be patient until we reprioritize by seeking Him ahead of seeking answers: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33 NIV).

2. Resist the temptation to recite memorized, perfect prayers, with lovely words and deep insight. God simply wants the genuine expression of our heart: "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lordlooks at the heart.'" (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV).

3. Recognize that sometimes we don't know how to pray or what our requests should be. So, we can freely ask for Him to show us what to pray for: "Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts." (Psalm 139:23 NIV).

4. Remember that His answer is always in His timing, not ours because a thousand years in God's sight are like a day that has just gone by: "A thousand years in your sight like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night." (Psalm 90:4 NIV).

5. Relish in the fact that while we wait, He's working in us, in our heart, in our situation. He has the answered already prepared: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

And here's the reason we follow these steps: Because "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15 NIV).

While we pray, we're certain that in His timing and ways, we have what we ask. We receive what He offers. We expect what He promises. And while we wait, we take our eyes away from the circumstance and fix them on Christ instead.

Let's Pray: Father, how often I have cried out to you, searching for words that are perfectly expressing my needs. But You already know them and You already know the painful details too. From now on, I will give you thanks for what You're already doing and how You're bringing Your promises to be. In Jesus' name, amen.

How deep is your belief in God's ability to hear you?

Janet Eckles

If this message resonated with you, please visit Janet's cyberspace home for more inspiration. 
Announcement:
Looking for a few temporary volunteers...

We are working on a new template for The Nugget, which will be mobile-friendly. This should be launching over the course of the next few weeks. We recognize that it is difficult to work out all the bugs in a new format without sending it out to multiple people. We are looking for a few temporary volunteers who are willing to receive their Nugget newsletters in the new format during this de-bugging phase. We would ask you to simply let us know if there are any problems with how the page looks on your phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. If you would like to volunteer, please email me! And thank you in advance for your help in improving the Nugget!

His love,
Lyn Chaffart, Moderator
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

Welcome to the Nugget

January 2, 2020

Five Ways to Face Tragedy
 

By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us    Tears flowed.

The eulogy for this young man evoked sobs that echoed throughout the room. When a young man dies unexpectedly, shock brings unspeakable sorrow.

He and my son Joe grew up together and remained close friends. My Joe has been in the glory of heaven since 2002, and now his close friend joins him to share in the unimaginable paradise. They both played football, they both did mischievous things, they both had a contagious passion for life. And they both guaranteed their life eternal as they each invited Christ to be their Savior. Although as I write this, they are both in heaven with joy overflowing, the family still on earth wonders what to do with the tragedy that barged in.

And that's understandable. All crises rattle our senses. All unexpected heartache changes the course of life. But all crises don't need to be tragedies. Here are five insights that prevent crises from turning to tragedy:

1. Triumph comes when we choose to be victors rather than victims.
2. Blame gives power to pain.
3. Resentment repeats the aching of the wound.
4. Unforgiveness is the chain that keeps us bound.
5. Forgiveness is the choice that sets us free.

I embraced these insights in 2002 when my youngest son was murdered. The act was senseless. The heartache deep. The change unbearable. But the freedom real. The freedom that filled that first Christmas after losing our son came in a gift box called -- forgiveness!

My husband I made that decision. What prompted us was an honest desire to obey God. This passage in Matthew 18 spoke to us personally:

"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarius. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were grea tly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. That is how My Heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." (Matt. 18:23-35 NIV)

Let's Pray: Father, I need the wisdom to keep forgiving. To keep remembering what you first forgave in me. To keep receiving your grace to forgive the unforgivable. In Jesus' name, amen.

- What wound or heartache have you suffered?
- How will you resolve the pride that keeps you from forgiving?
- Are you living in the freedom of forgiveness?

Janet P. Eckles

If this message resonated with you, please visit Janet's cyberspace home for more inspiration. 
Announcement:
Struggling with grief? Check out the previously-published mini-series, Dealing with Grief for help!
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

Welcome to the Nugget
bible
December 19, 2019

Not-so-Joyous Christmas?
 bible<
By Answers2PrayerSubscribeUnsubscribeDevotionalsContact us   
 

As I sit here thinking about the upcoming Christmas season, I remember other Christmas seasons that have passed in my long life.

I remember all our family gathering at Gramps' and Grams' house. All the uncles and aunts, my parents and, of course, Gramps and Grams would gather around the tree. The lovely colored lights on the trees and bushes outside, the holly tree with the red berries, the gifts under the tree -- a lot of them for me! I also remember the cookies, the punch...Oh so many lovely things to remember. And always, our family celebrated Christmas as the time of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Time passed, and there came the Christmas when my dad was in Germany, serving in the U. S. Army. He didn't forget his little girl, and the gifts he sent were very special. The best Christmas present for me, however, was that God was keeping him safe during the war.

More time passed. My husband and I were now the parents ourselves, and we were teaching our own children that Christmas isn't just about gifts; but that the best gift of all was the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

More years passed and the grandchildren were the ones getting the gifts and being taught about the birth of Jesus. Then came the sadness of losing my Mother, just after Christmas; and then the loss of my best friend on this earth -- my husband, just before the very next Christmas; then seven years later, the sadness included the loss of my youngest son, also just before Christmas...

As a result, I found I was no longer looking at Christmas as a special day anymore...nor was I giving much thought to the birth of my Saviour. To me, the season had become one of sadness and loss.

One day, as I was thinking -- again -- about my losses and dreading the return of another Christmas, a voice inside said to me: "It isn't about you". Just those 4 words! But suddenly I knew my attitude about the Christmas season needed to change. Christmas isn't about me, Christmas isn't about us, and it never was. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ: "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given..." (Is. 9:6a NKJV). True we don't know when he was born, but we do know He was born in Bethlehem, in a manger, with Holy Angles surrounding Him and telling the world of His birth. The Shepherds came to visit and later the Magi and...well, you know the story, and if you don't, I invite you to read it in Matthew 1 and Luke 1-2...
 
That day I became much more fully aware of the real reason we should celebrate Christmas: It is the day that God sent His Son to earth to live a sinless life; to be ill-used and finally hung on that awful cross; to die, for me and you. That is the real Joy of Christmas.

And so, friends, as this next Christmas season arrives and you find that the joy of the season is absent, as I used to, just remember: "It isn't about you!" Rather, it's about rejoicing and celebrating the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. What better gift can we receive -- or share with others --- than Salvation and the love of our Heavenly Father through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Wynona Gordon

The Joy of Jesus ... Can we believe this is real? Is there Biblical evidence that it is real? Join us on Saturday for Part 1 of "Lessons from the Christ Child" to find out.
Announcement:
I really believe that to have a proper understanding of the beauty of Christmas,
you must have a proper understanding of the ugliness of Christmas...
The dark and ugly side of Christmas is sin!
The heart of Christmas is this:
Christ came into the world to save sinners.
And the real beauty of Christmas is to understand the ugliness that it cures.
If there were no sin, there would need to be no Christmas. -- John MacArthur


Want to experience joy this Christmas? Make room for Jesus! If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, why wait? You can do so now by clicking here. 
 
Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."