Godly Leaders Needed

Posted on July 17, 2023 by Mark Shields

Dire consequences will occur if a nation is led by leaders who do not follow God’s ways. There is a need to follow leaders of honor and truth rather than those who manipulate with ulterior motives, hidden meanings, and political games.

Reading today in 1 Kings 12:25-33, we are given a warning for current times. A nation whose leaders depart from God’s ways becomes divided and led astray. They make decision for selfish reasons. We note in today’s passage that Jeroboam departs from God’s ways by setting up idols for worship. He even instituted a festival to offer sacrifices to the golden calves he had made.

Remember that Jeroboam was one of Solomon’s officials who had been put in charge of the labor force. God wanted him to take over Israel after Solomon’s death in order to punish the nation for Solomon’s lack of faithfulness to Him.

Leaders who want to put God aside and worship idols create a nation that is weak allowing adversaries to be raised up against them and their friends. In the words of Paul Harvey, a nation controlled by leaders that want to evict God from the courthouse and schoolhouse becomes a nation controlled by the enemy who is fine with people doing as they please. The people are then consumed with alcohol, drugs, and gambling. The cities are riddled with crime.

Making decisions for selfish reasons will not bring success to a nation but making decisions for what God wants and that help people brings victory for all. As we walk along the path, we have the source of power to push us forward, the Holy Spirit to guide, and grace needed if we get out of alignment. These spiritual resources will create integrity that will lead us to a winning future with blessings beyond what can be imagined.

Lord, You have high standards and that’s a good thing. The first step to meeting these high standards is to know Your Word and to live out each day being guided by the Holy Spirit. Your grace and power will push us forward because of our Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Sermon Thought – 07/15/2023

Posted on July 15, 2023 by Mark Shields

Across the world, there are great sermons. If you were blessed with a sermon that moved you at a local church or one that you viewed on-line, share in the comments.

Here is a thought I received from a sermon at my local church at First Methodist Church, Waco Texas.

The origin of all sin handed down from generation to generation makes us want to defy God, hide from Him, and shift the blame. This only makes things worse as we get out of alignment with what God wants, but there is a way to get it fixed and to get aligned again. To fix a vehicle, we go to the mechanic, but to fix our soul, we go to Jesus who saves by grace. – Thoughts from sermon of Ryan Barnett, 07-02-2023

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

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Poetry Friday 07-14-2023

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by “Step Ahead Along the Path” which pointed out that there is a motive for good personal and public behavior. The motive is to give integrity to what we profess.

People will then begin to see something different in us and want to have what we have. A clear path will be set so others will desire to step ahead along this path.

Being honest is the only way to clear the path as the song Truth Be Told by Matthew West says. Let us admit it for being honest is the only way to fix it.

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Liberty for You and Me

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Mark Shields 
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. - Galatians 5:1

After Solomon, his son Rehoboam was crowned king but as explained in “Treating People Right”, he entangled his people with the yoke of bondage instead of giving his people liberty.

He lacked a basic element of good leadership which is taking advice from the right people. Knowing where to go to for advice is crucial and understanding how to treat people right is essential.

We can get great advice from Sunday sermons. Let us praise God for these resources with the song Sunday Sermons by Anne Wilson. There are many forces in society today working with the devil trying to take us out of the church, but they can’t take the church out of you and me.

Index of devotionals

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Treating People Right

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Mark Shields

This day with God, we step ahead of hate, iniquity, and other corrupting influences in our life that keep us down. Istead we desire the authenticity, sincerity and certainty that God provides. We use technology to make a positive impact on our life. Just a click away are scriptures, sermons, Christian blogs, and uplifting music. Available from any place or any time just by using our phone, computer, or other device.

Today, we are reading 1 Kings 12:1-24. Solomon had made life difficult on the people with harsh labor and high taxes. After his death, his son Rehoboam was crowned king and the people of Israel rebelled. After consulting for advice, he didn’t follow the older and wiser men who counseled him to be more kind to the people with lower taxes and less harsh labor.

He followed the guidance of the young men and said this in verse 15:

“My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

Lacking in Rehoboam, are basic elements of good leadership. Knowing who to go to for advice is crucial and understanding how to treat people right is essential. A clear objective of leadership is to empower and support subordinates because if they are successful then the leader is successful.

As a result of following the wrong advice, there was rebellion. This turn of events was used by God to carry out His purpose. If we remember back to previous chapters, we are told that there would be judgment because of Solomon turning away from the ONE true God to the worship of other gods and idols. Solomon had knowledge of the need to stay focused because the Lord had told him that disaster would come if they worshiped other gods.

This day with God, we need to hear more of the uplifting, the amazing, and courageous so we are inspired in the present and ready to step ahead to an incredible future. Let’s begin our walk today with a prayer.

Lord, we ask that You build us up to be strong leaders. You care for Your people and they need good leadership.  You sent Your Son as an example of leadership. A servant leader who died for us on the Cross and who we follow to bring victory in our life. You Lord are with us and for us now and forever. Amen.

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