Confidence in His Guidance

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Mark Shields

Jesus has paved the way to a clear path so you can constantly go for advice or insight and listen to God for guidance. It’s going to be a great day because God has given you the resources needed to step ahead with confidence.

Reading today in 2 Samuel 17, Absalom seeks advice in how to overtake his father. The advice to Absalom from Ahithophel is to kill David and then the whole army would surrender. The advice to Absalom from Hushai is to have an all-out attack on David’s army with Absalom leading the way.

Ahithophel pictures David and his men as being weary and weak. On the other hand, Hushai pictures David and his men as experienced fighters that are as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs (v. 8). Hushai’s counsel is accepted over Ahithophel’s because they believed the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom (v. 14).

Leaders, executives, and families many times rely on others to help make decisions but when all is said and done, nothing provides more advantage than the one on one time with God. Prayer is our greatest power. When you pray and develop a plan each day with God, there is confidence because you know that you will do the right things that will lead to success.

This day with You Lord, give us a plan. You are the light so that we can see the Way. You are the Way, the Truth, and the life. Let us take in this lesson of today, trust in the Holy Spirit for guidance, and always be growing in faith. Your lessons will help us meet adversity, put things in perspective, and prompt us to step ahead to victory. Amen.

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Endure Distress and God Will Bless

Posted on January 17, 2023 by Mark Shields

And call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. – Psalm 50:15

David faced some tough times as discussed in “Take Hold of What the Day May Bring” but in tough times, we can keep thinking about how God loves us and has a plan for us.

Endure distress and God will bless.

Set out with a new perspective today with inspiration from the song Lion by Elevation Worship (Feat. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake. Make this song your battle cry as you take on the challenges of this day and know that God will bring you through. You can overcome the difficult experience, have faith it will get better, and be lifted to new heights.

Index of devotionals

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Take Hold of What the Day May Bring

Posted on January 16, 2023 by Mark Shields

Because of this broken world, we face struggles in life but faith brings recovery and hope so keep the faith. Each new day, take hold of what the day may bring to help and pray that joy can reside as you strive to make the difficulty subside.

The key people in 2 Samuel 16 are David who faces two terrible humiliations in today’s chapter. The other is the steward of Saul’s household named Ziba who helps David with supplies and food as David was leaving Jerusalem when he was running from his son Absalom who was trying to take over Israel. Another person is named Shimei who provides the first humiliation when he curses David along the way.

Ahithophel is another key person in today’s passage who gives advice to both David and Absalom. In today’s passage, Ahithophel advises Absalom to sleep with David’s wives in front of all of Israel, so we then get today’s second humiliation of David.

David responds to the humiliations with some poise. He didn’t allow his nephew named Abishai to cut off the head of Shimei in the first humiliation. He also takes the second humiliation of being disgraced by Absalom having sex with his wives in broad daylight with some poise. David expected trouble within his household so he was prepared. Remember from 2 Samuel 12:11 that calamity was promised within the household of David as punishment for what happened with Bathsheba.

The lesson for each of us is that when faced with humiliation, we should respond with poise. In tough times, keep thinking about how God loves you. Know that he will bring you through. You can get through difficult experiences, things will get better, and you will be lifted up high again to do great things in the future.

This day with You Lord, help us to endure distress and know You will bless. Things in life can be disappointing and we can react in the wrong way but You are always available to remove the obstacles and bring recovery. Christ has entered in with grace and we are thankful that we can take hold of what the day may bring so we can overcome. Amen.

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Poetry Friday 01-13-2023

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post with the same title at this link about the gift of Jesus appearing after He had risen. He gave instructions to the disciples and these instructions are still available to us today through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.

We have the opportunity to tell others about this exciting gift available to all. The song Come to the Table by Sidewalk Prophets is about offering this food for the soul to others by meeting together to tell about the Good News of the gospel. Let us set out today to prepare more followers to be set free and step ahead on the road to victory.

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Questions for Reflection For Study of 2 Samuel 16-21

Posted on January 12, 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 be successful. 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.

2 Samuel 16 – Who are the key people in this chapter? What two terrible humiliations does David suffer in this chapter? How does he respond? How do you respond to humiliation?

2 Samuel 17 – What is the difference in the advice of Ahithophel and Hushai? How does each picture David and his men? Why is Hushai’s counsel accepted over Ahithophel’s (See v. 14 with 15:31; 16:23)?

2 Samuel 18 – What does this chapter reveal about David’s character? What are possible reasons for Joab’s killing of Absalom against David’s orders (See 3:36-39)? How is Absalom’s pride indicated in this passage?

2 Samuel 19 – What is David’s problem? What is the national problem described in verses 8-10? To what extent do you help people because they need help, regardless of whether you get recognition?

2 Samuel 20 – In what ways is Sheba an opportunist? What can be inferred about the men of Israel and their powers of discernment? How is the woman of the city wise?

2 Samuel 21 – What drives David to seek God? What are examples from modern life in which the sins of past generations take their toll on future generations? What does this passage teach about God’s righteousness and judgment?

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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