Food for the Soul Benefits All

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Mark Shields

This day with God will be amazing because we have the opportunity to sow seeds for the soul. Because of modern technology, readers around the world have access so that God’s Word can take root and grow into a plentiful harvest.

Today’s passage is about sowing and reaping. Reading John 4:27-42, Jesus said He gets food to eat that they didn’t know about (v. 32). He feeds off of the passion for doing the will of God. The sower and the reaper can rejoice together in the harvest for they worked hard together and there is a reward for this hard work in knowing that people are fed.

A person that shares the Word with others is like a farmer that sows seeds and after these seeds take root in the heart of believers, there is a harvest to reap. There is a reward for knowing that the hard work pays off, that people are fed food for the soul, and that this produces benefits for all. The blessings consist of a future with provision, purpose, peace, and the crown of life. A perfect place for us that is beyond what could be imagined!

Further in today’s passage, we note that the Samaritan’s believed in Jesus because of the testimony of the Samaritan woman. Her peace, hope, and enthusiasm made them curious. Then after Jesus stayed with them to share more, they began to receive blessings from His teaching and even more became believers.

With the Internet today, the opportunity to sow seeds in many places is available. Once these seeds take root in hearts, local churches can reap the harvest. The sower and the reaper can rejoice together in the harvest for they work hard together and there is a reward for this hard work in harvesting a crop for eternal life.

This day with God, there are blessings all around, the sunrise, sunset, mountains, meadows, and seas. These reward our life but the greatest reward is planting seeds of God’s Word into hearts to benefit souls. The blessings consist of a future with provision, purpose, peace, and a perfect place for all that is beyond what could be imagined. Thank you God for Jesus who gives us the crown of life. Amen.

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Worship in Spirit and Truth

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Mark Shields

Jesus replied to the woman at the well, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” – John 4:23-24

From the post “Accepted”, one thought is that people are not drawn to religion but to excitement for what Jesus has done for us and what He will do for us in the future. The important thing to know is that Jesus can satisfy our basic need which is experiencing the fullness of life. The blessings consist of a future with provision, purpose, peace, and a perfect place for us that is beyond what could be imagined.

This day with God, quench that thirst with the rhythm and harmony of the song Voice Of Truth by Casting Crowns. May today’s lyrics find their way into the inward places of your soul to shape your heart and mind much different than how the world would like to.

Make the lyrics a part of your day today. Some of the lyrics go, “the way they keep on telling me time and time again. “Boy, you’ll never win!” The Good News is that the voice of Truth tells me a different story.

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Accepted

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Mark Shields

No one is perfect; there are mistakes in our past but like the Samaritan woman in today’s passage, Jesus is always willing to accept us for who we are. We are accepted into His arms no matter where we come from or what we’ve done.  

Reading John 4:1-26, Jesus was gaining in popularity to the point that He was baptizing more disciples than John. He had to keep moving because the Pharisees were intolerant of the Truth and felt they had to stop Jesus at any cost.

Jesus was tired and this reveals to us that He had the same challenges as we do. He was God in the flesh … fully human who needed food, water, and rest just like we do. He sat down at the well where a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus asked her if she would give Him a drink.

The Samaritan woman had a question for Jesus in verse 19, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans)?  Jesus answers her in verse 10, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

She was curious and ask Jesus about the correct place of worship (v. 20). Jesus tells her that it is not where a person worships, but who they worship that is important. God is not limited by place and time. He’s everywhere and can be worshiped at any place and at any time (verses 21-24).

The thought for me from today’s passage is that people are not drawn to religion but to excitement for what Jesus has done for us and what He will do for us in the future. The important thing to know is that Jesus can satisfy our basic need which is experiencing the fullness of life. The blessings consist of a future with provision, purpose, peace, and a perfect place for us that is beyond what could be imagined. This day with God, let us quench that thirst by worshipping in Spirit and in Truth.

This day with you God, we are accepted for who we are. Every life is sacred to You and You made us in Your own image. We all have a common parent in You God. You are not looking for perfect people but those who accept Your mercy through the blood of Jesus shed on the Cross. Amen.

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Thought From Devotional This Day 9-29-2023

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Mark Shields

A thought from reading 1 Kings 5 is that when God gives a common purpose like He did for Solomon and Hiram, there is a chemistry and consistency that makes each individual better. One is bound to the other which provides endurance, encouragement, and extra strength.

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Spirit Has No Limit

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Mark Shields

For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. – John 3:34

The thought from “Work Together As One” is that each member of the body of Christ has certain gifts, abilities, and accomplishments that benefit the team with the objective of helping all participate in eternal life. As a Christian, there should not be envy. Each member does their part to encourage or help others do their part for the team. All who accept Jesus will be rewarded because God’s kingdom has abundance, and the Spirit has no limit!

The team under Jesus leadership is like the song Unstoppable by Rascal Flatts says and we just need to dig in. Be made whole again with our faith. Like a river that keeps rolling or the North wind blowing, faith can’t be shaken, and we can take back what’s taken because God’s love for us is unstoppable.

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