Strengths and Weaknesses

Posted on June 19, 2024 by Mark Shields

We all have strengths and weaknesses. It’s the simple things that make a big difference and like the simple tool called the shovel, we may think our individual God given strength is not that important but when combined with many other people using their strength, it becomes huge.

Today, we dig for more treasure from God’s Word. Reading in 2 Kings 14, Amaziah was king of Judah and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but the high places were not removed. He gained victory over Edom, but pride made him challenge Israel to a war in which he was defeated. Pride is considered a good virtue in some cases but can be detrimental when someone gets overconfident, arrogant, or lacks balance in their life. 

Another king named Jeroboam became king in Samaria. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, but he did restore the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Dead Sea (v. 25). He had moral weakness but militarily he was a strong king that helped save the people of Israel with his achievements, including recovering both Damascus and Hamath from Judah (v. 28). The expansion of territory allowed the people of Israel to prosper like in the days of Solomon.

It’s the same in life. There may be times of prosperity, but at the same time moral decay that eventually destroys in the long run. There needs to be a balance between our spiritual lives, our career, and family. God is faithful in spite of our downfalls. The best resource for quickly moving into action and having a balanced life is the Word of God. That’s where we find God’s Way and best organize our life around each other’s strengths to glorify God.

This day with You Lord, we are connected to Your power source because of Jesus. We are not hooked in to things that lead to destruction but to Your Way that leads to life. You give us hope in a world that seems hopeless and supernaturally, You work through each of us because the Spirit inside empowers us to use our skills and talents for Your glory. There is no more fatigue, discouragement, failure, or weakness. There is only strength because we pull together in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

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Combined Experiences

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Mark Shields

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4

As noted in the post “Interesting and Relevant”, you can apply what is learned from the Bible, from others, and the combined experiences of each other. The church is the Israel written about in the Bible and Jesus is the King. All of these are good reasons to worship the Lord today!

Join in on the worship and celebration with the song Live Like You’re Loved by Hawk Nelson. Like the song recommends, live like the person God made you to be. Someone capable, a person that’s been set free, and very valuable. In fact, so valuable that God gives favor and sent His Son as your Savior.

Index of devotionals

Thanks for reading. Please like, follow, and pass on to others … Make it your purpose to love what God loves and share with others!

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Interesting and Relevant

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Mark Shields

Following God’s Way is interesting and relevant. Following His Way keeps life simple, and we keep others in mind. We have a desire to listen to others and offer God’s plan. To care about our neighbors, work together to execute His plan, and help others see better days ahead. Today, we are reading 2 Kings 13 and as we read, we keep these thoughts in mind.

King Jehoahaz followed the sins of Jeroboam, so the Lord was angry and kept Israel under the power of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-Hadad his son (v. 3). This caused Israel to fall into great poverty, but Jehoahaz humbled himself before the Lord and sought His favor. The Lord listened because He saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel.

The Lord was gracious to them, had compassion, and showed concern for them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To this day He is unwilling to destroy them or banish them from His presence (v. 23).

The thought today is that not only is following God’s Way interesting and relevant, but we can apply what we learn from the Bible, from each other, and from our combined experiences to help each other along the journey of life. The church is the Israel written about in the Bible and Jesus is the King. All of these are good reasons to worship God today!

Lord, we live in a complicated world in which the lines between virtue and sin are blurred. Pride can be seen as a virtue in some cases and a sin in other cases, but Your Way Lord is clear. Each new day, we have the opportunity to read Your Word that is both interesting and relevant. We can share experiences and learn from the experiences of others. This day with You Lord, help us to live simply, love generously, care deeply, and speak kindly. Then, we humbly come to You in prayer knowing You will simplify our complications. What seems impossible by ourselves becomes possible with You Lord, so we humbly come before You today in Jesus’ name. Amen.


Thanks for reading. Please like, follow, and pass on to others … have a great day sharing the Way!

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

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Thought From Devotional 06-14-3024

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Mark Shields

A takeaway for me in reading John 5:19-29 is the need to study Gods word to understand what the enemy wants to do which is to block our progress. To get in the way but we can read the Word, listen for instructions, loosen up, and keep stepping ahead with confidence because God’s grace is enough to lead us to heaven’s victory.

Thanks for Reading. Please share, like, and follow … live God’s Truth and walk His ways!

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Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Kings 13 Through 18

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Mark Shields

We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. The below Questions for Reflection will stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed to thrive in life. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button on the top right side of this page to be notified of future posts.

2 Kings 13 – What prompts Jehoahaz to seek God? Why has Israel fallen into such poverty? What do you learn from God’s character for which you can worship Him today?

2 Kings 14 – What motive in Amaziah does Jehoash recognize? What is Jeroboam’s strengths and weaknesses? Why is Israel now so successful in contrast with the time before Jeroboam? What evidences of God’s faithfulness, in spite of your failure, can you see in your life?

2 Kings 15 – What is the difference between the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah? What are the outcomes in your own life when you do right in the eyes of God? What changes can be made to do more right? What happens to the freedom of Israel when her leaders turn from God?

2 Kings 16 – What are the foolish actions of Ahaz? To what extent do his family and nation suffer because of his sin? When ae you tempted to think that your actions affect only yourself?

2 Kings 17 – What does God finally do with Israel? Why? What religious confusion and hypocrisy is described in verses 29-41?

2 Kings 18 – What actions did Hezekiah take that he should be commended for? What national benefits for his people resulted? How have you been conquered by the fear of men? Why?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments.

To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.

“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web.  <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.

Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.

“Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

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