Offer Food for the Soul

Posted on September 26, 2022 by Mark Shields
Photo – Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch – July 2021 – Feeding the wildlife

In the summer of 2021, my family spent some time in San Antonio Texas and also visited Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch nearby. We bought some food for the animals to feed them as we drove through the wildlife ranch. The animals would come close up to our car because they knew we had some food.

This day with God, let us encourage one another and offer food for the soul as we read Job 41. We note today that not all of God’s creatures are peaceful. God describes the leviathan as a sea monster or dragon like creature in which fire shoots out of its mouth. Everyone is afraid of the leviathan because no one can control the death and destruction it can cause.

Only God could control the leviathan and God does what He does in order to maintain authority and control. We have questions about why certain things happen. We don’t understand the bad that happens like wars, fires, storms, earthquakes, sickness, crime, and murder.

His ways are not always understood, and we don’t always react in the way we should. We may panic or react with anger, but we must understand that everyone and everything is under God’s control. We must understand that no one is perfect.

Sometimes we can take ourselves and others too seriously. It’s a good idea to loosen up, know what strengths God has given each person, obey His instructions, and simply take action when opportunities are presented to carry out God’s Plan for Us.

Being confident in God’s Way gives us the ability to keep other people in mind. Being open to listening to them and helping them receive the plan, execute His plan, and helping them to see the victory.

Lord, we need patience, poise, and humility in the world we live in today with all the bad things happening like wars, crime, and economic turmoil. We pray for peace in the world and in our hearts. The Good news is that Your Word feeds our soul with encouragement. What seems to be undoable becomes unstoppable with You. We put You in control to face the big challenges and have confidence that You will set things up for amazing things to happen in the future. Amen.

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Poetry Friday 09-23-2022

Posted on September 23, 2022 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “Loving God and Neighbor” which shares the most important commandment. Love is life and you never fail as long as love is in your heart so desire to learn the principles of Christ, invite Him into your heart to guide your every step, and build a path from a place of doom to a place where you flourish and bloom.

Read the word, have a quiet time along with prayer, plan out ways to love your neighbor, and gain inspiration to step ahead on these plans with the song First Love by Kari Jobe.

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Powerful Designer

Posted on September 22, 2022 by Mark Shields

All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised Him to life. – Philippians 3:10

A takeaway from “Desire to Follow the Plan” is that the complexities of our planet indicate a deliberate and powerful Designer who not only created our planet, but also sustains it today. We have the opportunity to plug into that same power from the Designer of it all but to plug in, we need mercy and the desire to follow the plan.

The world doesn’t offer a best way. Some say that this is the best way and others say no … that is the way and there is a constant competition for getting people to join a certain way. We worry and never enjoy the moment, but one way is the best. Our mood is always lifted by the positive affirmation God gives us through His Son.

Take that step ahead along the Way today with the song The Same Power by Jeremy Camp and receive the power to overcome any challenge along the path.

Index of devotionals

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Desire to Follow the Plan

Posted on September 21, 2022 by Mark Shields

From the beginning of the book of Job, we know that Job lost his children, his livestock, and his property. Then he was subject to more trials with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head (Job 2:7).  Job’s friends said that he was being judged for some sin he committed so Job wanted a chance to defend himself because he believed he was a righteous man and didn’t deserve to be judged.

The first speech of God to Job has the effect of humbling Job. Then more questions are asked and the more questions that are asked, the more Job realizes that God is in total control and that Job feels challenged by his abilities. In Job 40, even more questions are asked by God to Job about nature. This time, about the ability to control storms and the ability to command thunder and lightning (v. 9). Then questions about trapping the Behemoth which is the most powerful and fearless beast of the creation (v. 19).

The take away for me is that the complexities of our planet indicate a deliberate and powerful Designer who not only created our planet, but sustains it today. We have the opportunity to plug into that same power from the Designer of it all but in order to plug in, we need mercy and the desire to follow the plan.

This day with You Lord, we need mercy. We need help and the desire to follow Your plan. Help us to be bold, to step ahead, and seek the best Way going forward. We have pressing challenges, but You can respond to the tough issues because You are the miracle worker, the promise keeper, the Light in darkness, and the Way Maker. Amen.

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Job 40-42

Posted on September 20, 2022 by Mark Shields

We are nearing the end of our journey through the book of Job with three more chapters to go. We will continue to be focused on the purpose of this blog as we continue to use it in helping us to apply His Word in our life.  I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are keeping me accountable to daily Bible reading and study.

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. Questions for Reflection will stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles at work, at home, and in all we do.

Here is a link to all the devotionals done so far

Index of devotionals

Anyone can join in as we journey together.

Also, the concepts presented in God’s Perfect Timing offer ideas for using our time wisely and the lessons of God’s Plan for Us gives a method towards making an impact in the world in which we live. 

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable to sharing about God’s word. As I share about my study of the book of Leviticus over the next few weeks, 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 this day amazing!

Questions for Reflection

Job 40 – What is the effect of God’s first speech on Job? In what areas does God challenge Job’s ability? How have you been convinced of the sovereignty of God? Do we need God’s justice or His mercy?

Job 41 – How does God describe Leviathan whom He has made? Does God explain why He does what He does? Recall those times when you have asked God why? What has God told you about His ways?

Job 42 – Precisely what is Job convinced of regarding God? What confession follows (See 40:3-5)? After this study of Job, what are some ways you can put your new and reinforced knowledge into practice? What are some goals for your future?

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.

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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