Transition to Something More

Posted on October 28, 2024 by Mark Shields

Life can be disappointing with things that we have no control over and things in our past that put up obstacles for our future but God has a way to remove those obstacles. Jesus has made the path clear so our past is a clean slate and our confidence for the future is increased because we have access to more power than we could even imagine.

Reading Isaiah 24, the prophecy is that the Lord will judge His enemies. Today’s passage is about the end of times or the Day of Judgment. Humanity will bring it on for not following the Way of God. The stage will be set with wars, disasters, disease, and famine.

Even with the obstacles we face, with God we can transition to something more … to a higher state of being. “What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls the butterfly.” [1] The caterpillar’s old body dies, and a new body will form inside a protective shell. As time goes by, a thing of beauty emerges from the cocoon.

Difficult situations provide the opportunity for God to defy the odds and we can be on a victorious side that ushers in an amazing future! In a twinkling of an eye, the Lord will return and believers in Jesus will burst into song because they remained strong.

At that point, all things will be completely transformed. Earth will be renewed, there will be peace, and things of beauty will cover the earth. Jesus will reign as King of the new earth with the Light of Truth and the joy of everlasting life.

With You Lord Jesus, we transition to something more. We accept the Way and keep in step with the Spirit by following and obeying. It takes a lot of practice, and we practice our faith so it’s available when we need it. We read the Word, pray, and document what we hear, what we see, and what we feel. We overcome the obstacles faced by finding rest in You Lord because we know that You are setting things up for a future beyond what we can even imagine. Our hope is in You Lord Jesus for You are the Light and the Truth. Amen. 

[1] Quote from American Writer Richard Bach

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

Posted in Bible Study | 2 Comments

Thought From Devotional 10-25-2024

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Mark Shields

A thought from John 11:45-57 is that there is a need to rely on God for the possible when it seems impossible. When a plot to kill Jesus started, He went to a small village away from the public. He stayed with His disciples to prepare them for the rough days ahead. He gave up some comforts and went through adversity in order to fulfill His purpose; to die on the cross and save those who sought after Him.

Posted in Thoughts From Devotional | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Good Steward

Posted on October 24, 2024 by Mark Shields 
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so great is his love for those who fear him;
As far as the east is from the west,
   so far has he removed our transgressions from us. – Psalm 103:12

Today’s video is East To West by Casting Crowns.

From “The Better Way” another great city is prophesized to feel the destructive wrath of God who hates greed and pride This would lead to the ruin of Tyre (v. 9). Tyre was a great city of trade during the time of Isaiah as ships from the eastern coastal city of Tyre would deliver items to far off places like Tarshish in the western part of the Mediterranean near Crete or off the coast of Spain.  It made many people wealthy, but these people were not good stewards of the resources given.

This day with God, make your dreams and God’s dreams for you come true by being a good steward of the resources you’ve been given. Think of ways to use technology like WordPress which does not cost anything and is not too complicated to use. Use your talent of writing to build kingdom wealth by mining spiritual treasure from the Word of God. Then share this useful and meaningful treasure with others in an efficient way.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Budget Time and Money, Devotionals | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Better Way

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Mark Shields

I remember a sermon from Reverend Molly Simpson years ago. The thought was that Jesus is better than the many things that the world offers so we should spend our time and money devoted to His Way. We should keep paying attention to the instructions given, the wonders, the signs, and to stay the course. Don’t get distracted but stay focused on Jesus who provides the better Way.

Reading today Isaiah 23, the better way was not being followed and another great city is prophesized to feel the destructive wrath of God. God hates pride and this would lead to the ruin of Tyre (v. 9).

The coastal city of Tyre is in present day Lebanon. During the time of today’s passage, merchants were made wealthy through trading. Ships from the Mediterranean would come from Tarshish (either Crete or off the coast of Spain), Italy, Greece, and pass by Cyprus over to the city of Tyre which is northeast of Jerusalem.

The city was full of greed and pride. God wants our money to be a benefit for a society and He wants people to be treated right. He controls all nations and in today’s passage, we are told that for 70 years Tyre would no longer be a great city until the Lord would let Tyre back into business (v. 15). Profits would then be set apart for the Lord (v. 18).

The lesson for us is to use material wealth to benefit society. To give incentive to those that work hard for their dreams coming true but at the same time, for them to be good stewards of the resources they’ve been given.

This day with You God, building spiritual treasure is our top priority and not worldly wealth. Use our talents and time in order to build kingdom wealth as we mine for spiritual treasure from Your Word to share with others. Help us to be good stewards of the resources we’ve been given. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

Posted in Bible Study, Budget Time and Money | 5 Comments

Questions for Reflection for Study of Isaiah 23 Through 28

Posted on October 22, 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.

Isaiah 23 – What remaining great city will feel the destructive wrath? Why will Tyre be restored to service? What is your attitude toward money? Business? What is a proper use of material wealth?

Isaiah 24 – What is to happen to the once wonderful world? Who is bringing this on? What justification does he give? Who burst into song?

Isaiah 25 – Who are the prisoners here? Into what darkness and prison are all to descend? What light shatters their darkness? At what merry-making feast will all peoples be gathered? What makes you jubilant?

Isaiah 26 – What causes the singing here? For what are the righteous waiting? While the earth’s proud rulers perish, what is going on inside Jerusalem? When have you been aware of God’s deliverance as a dew of light?

Isaiah 27 – What is being prophesized (see Isaiah 26:20-21)? What assurance does God give to encourage them? What assessment does Isaiah make of the people and their readiness to be taught? Does God’s method of instruction achieve final success?

Isaiah 28 – What does God have for the proud Samaria (See 8:7-8)? For the remnant? How does Isaiah describe the priests and prophets? Therefore, how will God teach them? How does God’s wonderful counsel and excellent wisdom relate to the harrowing of men?

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/>.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Questions for Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment