Protection and Provision

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Mark Shields

God is worthy of praise for His protection and provision. Our praise to the Lord are words that spark our actions towards attainment of great feats for His glory. Each step of the way, momentum is gained until ultimate accomplishment.

In 2 Kings 4, we read about several great feats that are accomplished for God’s glory. Remember that before Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind, he asked Elisha, what he could do for him. Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit.

This double portion of his spirit is on display in this passage. Noted is the provision given to the widow in today’s passage. Elisha gave instructions to fill jars with olive oil so she could sell and pay off debts after the death of her husband. Whatever skill, ideas, or property you have, believe God can increase it into something worthy just like the widow.

Also in today’s passage is another woman of faith who provided Elisha a place to stay when he traveled to Shunem. She had no son, and her husband was up in years, so Elisha told her she would have a son. She did have a son, but he then became ill and died. The woman sent for Elisha who brought the son back to life. The woman had faith that Elisha could help and by setting that faith in motion, she was able to receive her heart’s desire.

In yet another occasion, people received protection from a bad pot of stew that was harmful for their health. Elisha made the pot of stew good to eat. There was also provision given to feed a hundred men even though they were in short supply. They ate and had some left over.

All of these miracles provide a great lesson for us today which is to continue following our spiritual aspirations. Don’t stop but give the effort with confidence that we will reap a harvest beyond what could ever be imagined.

This day with You God, we believe that You can take something small and multiply it just like the oil of the widow in today’s passage. Right now, as we pray, we believe our small bit of faith can grow into something beyond what we could ever imagine. Use our gifts, our abilities, and ideas today, Lord. Guide our steps, provide for our needs, and bring the increase daily so we may glorify You in Jesus’ name … Amen.

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Lead Me in the Way Everlasting

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Mark Shields

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalm 139:23-24

From “Higher Location” the thought is that faith comes first. Then listening for ideas, for plans, for ways to apply our faith by converting these ideas or plans into action comes next. With faithful, consistent, and powerful prayer you can receive the vision.

Start today with the song Lead Me by Sanctus Real and ask the Father for help to lead those looking up to you. Like the song says, show them you’re willing to fight with strong hands, and want to do what’s right.

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Higher Location

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Mark Shields

When we are with God, we can observe things with a different perspective similar to looking at things from a higher location. I’m reminded of the time on vacation, and we went up The Tower of the Americas in San Antonio. It was built as the theme structure of the 1968 World’s Fair. It has an observation tower with spectacular views of the Alamo city and a restaurant called “Eyes Over Texas” that rotates around as you dine.

This day with God, we will be reading 2 Kings 3 to get our thoughts in line with that higher location so we get a big picture view. We read that there was an attack upon Moab because the king of Moab didn’t want to pay a tribute of lambs and wool from rams. He rebelled against the king of Israel.

The king of Israel mobilized all of Israel and ask the king of Judah along with the king of Edom to help. They were struggling in war against Moab, but a plan was given to save many people through the prophet named Elisha. He inquired of the Lord, and received instructions on how to execute the plan that gave victory as the king of Moab retreated.

Even though Israel was unfaithful to the ONE true God, the word of the Lord was with the prophet named Elisha who helped deliver them from destruction. God shows mercy and faithfulness to His inconsistent people. All it takes is a little faith along with a big picture view.

Faith comes first. Then listening for ideas, for plans, for ways to apply our faith by converting these ideas or plans into action. With faithful, consistent, and powerful prayer, we can receive the vision so let us start now getting to that higher location with a prayer so things will fall in place because of His grace.

This day with You Lord, we are seeking the reward. Getting to that higher location to get the big picture. We are listening each day as we come to You and accept the directions given. These directions are ideas and plans of action that we think about as we lead others today towards what is most important. To have that vision, we put first things first and are not distracted towards carrying out the vision for Your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray … Amen.

Photos – We took a family vacation to San Antonio in 2021 and got these photos. This one was taken from the ground looking towards the San Antonio Tower of the Americas Space Needle. The first photo at the beginning of this post is from the top looking down on the city.

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Thought From Devotional 05-03-2024

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Mark Shields

Nicodemus knew as pointed out in John 3:1-21 that Jesus was from God. Jesus then tells Nicodemus that to see the kingdom of God, one must be born again by being born of water and the Spirit (v. 5).

Like the force of the wind, we do not know where it comes from or where it is going but we hear the sound and can see that it moves objects. Just like when the sails gather the power of the wind to move a boat. So it is with the Spirit, we can see the results of what it produces.

The Spirit works in you telling you what to do and the purpose God has for you. Providing the power to push you through. So set sail and let God take you to new places never imagined before!

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

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Your Effort will Reap a Harvest

Posted on May 2, 2024 by Mark Shields

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

This day with God, covet opportunities to verify the unbelievable and be a witness for others.

Noted in “Persistence in the Whirlwind of Life” was that before Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind, he asked Elisha what he could do for him. Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit.

That’s a good lesson for us today. To continue to follow spiritual aspirations and never stop because our effort will reap a harvest beyond what could ever be imagined.  

Let us take inspiration from the song Unrestrained by Jeremy Camp and give it our all as we follow Jesus.

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