Work Together As One

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Mark Shields

It takes all kinds to help reach new heights and humility to be a part of a team. We all need a special friend who can help us get to the food for our soul and help us grow. Today we are reading John 3:22-36 and sharing some thoughts to apply our faith at home, work, and in everything we do.

Within today’s passage, John’s disciples questioned the authority of Jesus to baptize. John explains that he was sent ahead of Jesus but that Jesus is the Messiah. Then he explains that his relationship with Jesus is like a friend who attends the bridegroom. Jesus must become greater and he must become less (v. 30).

The thought today is that each member of the body of Christ has certain gifts, abilities, and accomplishments that benefit the team with the objective of helping people participate in eternal life. As a Christian, there should not be envy. Each does their part to encourage others to 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!

This day Lord, we are thankful that we have help from each other to get to food for the soul. We all need a special friend to help grow in our faith. We are never alone and work together as one now and forever with humility to reach new heights. Amen.

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

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Powerful Force

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Mark Shields

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. – John 3:8

Brought out in “Beacon of Light” is that the Spirit works in you to be a powerful force and through your decision rather than the condition of the world, you can receive the power to accomplish God’s plan for you to testify about the Light.

The circumstances of the world make it seem like a desert at times but like in the song Build a Boat by Colton Dixon, you are not controlled by circumstances but by building something out of nothing with one decision. The decision of accepting Jesus in your heart! Like the wind in your sails, the power of the Spirit will take you along the Way to new places never imagined before.

Index of devotionals

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Beacon of Light

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Mark Shields

Because of the signs Jesus was performing, 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 for God’s purposes.

God sent His Son into the world for the purpose of teaching about these things so that we can understand about heavenly things.  The purpose was to lift up Jesus as the Messiah so that those who believe may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (v.15-16).

Later in the passage, Jesus explains the difference between living in light and darkness. Those who do evil hate the light because their deeds are exposed but those who live by the Truth come into the light, so that it may be seen plainly in the sight of God (v. 21).

This day with God, we ask that the Spirit works in each of us to produce a force that moves us towards God’s purpose. With resolve to be witness to testify concerning the Light, we prepare now for a day that has organization, documentation, and affirmation so more will believe in Jesus. Amen.  

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Thought From Devotional This Day 9-22-2023

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Mark Shields

A takeaway from reading 1 Kings 3-4 is that God gave Solomon certain qualities like great wisdom and insight. People from nations around the world wanted to come listen and learn.

God has given you qualities too! You can do more than you ever dreamed because God is with you and will carry you to greatness with the wisdom and knowledge revealed in His Plan.

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Questions for Reflection for Study of John 3 Through 4

Posted on September 21, 2023 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.

John 3:1-21 – How does Nicodemus know Jesus comes from God? How does Jesus explain being born again? For what purpose has God sent His Son into the world? To what does light refer (see John 1:5 and John 1:9)? What is your response to the light?

John 3:22-36 – What does John reply to the complaint of his disciples (See John 1:19-23)? How can this apply to people today? How does John explain his relationship with Jesus? How do you feel when someone else is recognized as greater while you become lesser?

John 4:1-26 – Why does Jesus leave Judea? What does verse 6 reveal about Jesus? Does Jesus answer the woman’s question in verse 9? What does Jesus say about worship?

John 4:27-42 – What does Jesus say about food? How can the sower and reaper rejoice together in the harvest? In what is the Samaritan’s belief initially based? What reason do they give for their belief after Jesus has stayed with them?

John 4:43-54 – Why does Jesus go to Galilee? What request does the official have? How does the official confirm the cause of his son’s healing? Can you recall a time when you could not solve a problem on your own?

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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