Persistence in the Whirlwind of Life

Posted on May 1, 2024 by Mark Shields

Life can be a whirlwind but we covet opportunities to verify the unbelievable and be a witness for others. There are obstacles and setbacks but we must keep going, be patient, and persistent at not letting them get us off track. We pick ourselves up and get back on the road again.

In 2 Kings 2, we are told that the Lord would take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah had told Elisha not to go with him. Elisha could have just did what Elijah said to do and stayed behind but he would not leave Elijah, and he continued to walk with him.

Elisha was tested several times about continuing to go with Elijah, but he demonstrated the quality of loyalty to Elijah and said the following:

“As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”

After not following the advice from the company of prophets at Jericho who knew what was going to happen, Elisha kept going to help and support his friend. He faced the danger but stuck with his good friend and spiritual teacher until the prophecy was carried out, and Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind.

Before Elijah was taken, 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 our spiritual aspirations. Don’t stop but give the effort with confidence that we will reap a harvest beyond what could ever be imagined.

All Elisha wanted was to carry out the purpose God had given him. Later in this chapter, we note that Elisha was given great spiritual power. One power he demonstrated was to make the water pure so it would provide health and allow the land to flourish. Another instance noted was the curse he put on the boys who jeered him at Bethel. The boys were mauled by two bears who came out of the woods (v.24).

This life can be a whirlwind but even in difficulty, the storm is calm when we follow Jesus. Thank you Lord for opportunities to verify the unbelievable and witness to others about Your great power. Like Elisha following his spiritual teacher, we aspire to follow Jesus with confidence that our effort will reap a harvest. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

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

Posted in Bible Study, Going Extra Mile | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Solid Support

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Mark Shields

Stand Firm and you will win life. – Luke 21:19

A takeaway from “Falling Through” is that when faced with difficulty, the ONE true God should be consulted. He is the “rock” who has the power to heal, to give shelter, to give hope, and guarantees a solid path to a bright future. When we walk with God, we are walking on His solid principles for support and will not fall through.

Praise God that His Word has solid principles to stand on. Like the song This is the Stuff by Francesca Battistelli points out, it is during our frustration that we can give God our appreciation. If stuff happens, God can clean up the mess and bless. 

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Overcome Difficulty | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Falling Through

Posted on April 29, 2024 by Mark Shields

While going through college, I worked for a carpenter in my hometown during summers and other times throughout the year when we had holiday breaks. If you go up in an attic, it’s important to walk on the wooden support beams of the ceiling rather than the ceiling itself so you don’t fall through.

In 2 Kings 1, noted is that the king named Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room. The resulting injury was serious. Instead of going to the ONE true God in prayer about his injury, he had some messengers consult with Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron.

An angel of the Lord told Elijah to meet the messengers in order to relay the message that the king was not consulting the ONE true God … that the king would not get better and would die. When the messenger’s gave a description of the appearance of the man they met, it was obvious that Ahaziah knew it was Elijah.

The king sent a captain with fifty men to Elijah for him to come down from the top of the hill (v.9). This is where God’s power and reality are demonstrated. Fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and the fifty men. So the king sent another captain along with fifty men to Elijah. After fire consumed this captain and fifty men, a third attempt was made.

This time, the captain begged Elijah to not consume them with fire and to come down in order to meet the king. Elijah respected their life and came down, but he still told the truth when he met with the king. The truth being that because he had consulted a false god rather than the true God of Israel, he would never leave the bed he was lying on and would die (v. 16).

The lesson for us is how our attitude toward God and his messengers should be. When faced with difficulty, the ONE true God should be consulted. He is the “rock” who has the power to heal, to give shelter, to give hope, and guarantees a solid path to a bright future. When we walk with God, we are walking on His solid principles for support and will not fall through.

This day with You Lord, we step ahead trusting things will support us but there is only ONE who we can trust to support us. You are our solid support during difficulty in this broken world. You bring recovery and hope. We can stand firm with You, so that whatever we face or whatever the challenge, You provide solid principles to stand on as we step ahead. For it is in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Overcome Difficulty | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Thought From Devotional 04-26-2024

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Mark Shields

Jesus went to Jerusalem for Passover. In the temple courts he saw people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money (v. 14). A takeaway from John 2:13-25 is that Jesus provides more than any worldly treasure.

Jesus was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. – John 1:1-3

Jesus gives us nuggets of gold that will be useful in providing food for our soul. He gives the Good News in a sometimes-negative world with the ability to overpower an entire army of negatives that get us down and deplete our hope.

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

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

Questions For Reflection 2 Kings 1 Through 6

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Mark Shields

The journey through the Gospel of John has given encouragement for the journey ahead that will now take us into 2 Kings for a while. We will continue to gain insight from God’s Word in order to apply our faith at work, at home, and in all we do.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable as I share about God’s Word. To share about 2 Kings, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior, we have taken the steps necessary to make each day amazing!

Questions for Reflection

2 Kings 1 – What do you learn about Ahaziah? What is the effect of Elijah’s two demonstrations of God’s power and reality? What is your attitude toward God and his messengers?

2 Kings 2 – How is Elisha tested in this chapter? What qualities do his actions reveal? Where do you find a source of power for your daily life?

2 Kings 3 – What causes the attack upon Moab? How does this event show the part of one man in saving many people? How does it reveal God’s mercy and faithfulness to his inconsistent people?

2 Kings 4 – What are the demonstrations of God’s faithfulness in keeping His word? In providing material needs of those who trust Him? What do you learn about faith from the two women in this chapter? How can you follow their example today?

2 Kings 5 – What is Naman’s position, personality, relationship with his servants, and character? What further effect does the healing have on Naaman (vv. 15-19)? What warning is in Gehazi’s example?

2 Kings 6 – What areas did Elisha have authority and power? How has your concept of God’s power grown recently? Have you learned how to conquer fear? What makes the difference between the servant’s fear and Elisha’s confidence? What is your attitude when you see pain and suffering?

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 or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey.

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.  <https://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