Trust Because He First Loved Us

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Mark Shields

This day with God, we continue to follow His plan, reflect His view, and shine the light to what we should do. We trust because He first loved us. Today, we continue in Job 36:1-23 and note that Elihu discovers the attributes of God which include being mighty, firm in purpose, and giver of rights for the afflicted.

God lifts up the righteous but sometimes even the righteous go through difficulty so we may ask the question: What is the purpose of affliction?  According to Elihu, it is to teach people of their wrong ways. God makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil (v. 10). Elihu says that Job should take his affliction as a teaching moment.

God teaches by the Bible to spark a light of faith in each heart leading safely through the mists of doubt. The Son teaches with clear principles that are straight from our Creator and radiates His Spirit which lives in each believer.

This day with You Lord, we trust because You first loved us. You have freed us up to fulfill our purpose. We trust and lay down our fears. We are grateful for what You have already done. The Good News shines the light on the path we should take so we ask that You open our eyes Lord now and let faith arise. Amen.

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Poetry Friday 09-02-2022

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “Kneeling to Pray Gives Strength to Stand” which has thoughts on “The Parable of the Tenants”. One lesson from this parable is that if you accept His Son, then God will accept you into an amazing future in which the impossible becomes possible. You will be able to use your individual strengths for the glory of His kingdom. There will be calmness because you will accept your lot in life, focus on what you can do, accept His help, and just be the awesome person you were meant to be.

Accept what God is telling you in the song You Say by Lauren Daigle. Many may want to bring you down in this world but God holds you in His arms and says you are AWESOME so trust in what you can do with God’s help.

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He Gives Us the Victory

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Mark Shields 

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:57

On the journey through the book of Job, Elihu tries to answer more questions which were touched upon in the post “Step Ahead to Victory”. Job has been crying for help since his life was turned upside down.

One point that came from the study is that maybe prayers are not always answered because God has bigger plans. Sometimes a defeat leads to even greater wins for the future; especially if a person is humbled and takes the loss as inspiration to work harder.

Be encouraged today my friend because we have the most valuable player (MVP) on our side. Listen to the song Stronger by Hillsong. Christ in you and me has set us free. Love came for us and has made us victorious!

Index of devotionals

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Step Ahead to Victory

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Mark Shields

The kids next door created what’s in this photo as they were at home during the Coronavirus outbreak in March 2020. Faith, hope, and love are so important when faced with hard times. They are the plays to the playbook as we step ahead to victory.

Reading today in Job 35, Elihu tries to answer more questions from Job who wants to know why he is the target and why his sins are not forgiven. Elihu brings out the point that God does not need us to be righteous but we need to be righteous for our own benefit. So the thought of Elihu is that we are losers because of sin but become winners if we are righteous.

Elihu gives some reasons for why God may disregard our cries for help. Maybe prayers are not always answered because God has bigger plans. Sometimes a defeat leads to even greater wins for the future; especially if a person is humbled and takes the loss as inspiration to work harder. To get the ultimate win of the season, it’s up to us to practice the correct plays so we can execute them when needed.

We can be thankful for the ultimate play in the playbook that brings final victory. It’s like the Super Bowl victory that is obtained by simply calling the ultimate play in God’s playbook. We face so many challenges and we need our most valuable player (MVP) named Jesus in the biggest game of the year. He executes the playbook to perfection.  

This day with You God, we are thankful for Your playbook. Help us to be disciplined so we execute the playbook in the right ways like Jesus who executed it perfectly. Your plan for us always brings victory in our life and as we take on the challenges of our day, we pray for Your power to be at work as we put our faith in practice. Amen.

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Job 35-39

Posted on August 28, 2022 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.

Job 35 – What question of Job does Elihu now proceed to answer (See 7:20-21)? What reasons does Elihu give for God’s disregarding man’s cries for help? Why are some prayers not answered?

Job 36:1-23 – What are the attributes of God which Elihu has discovered? According to Elihu what is the purpose of difficulty? According to Elihu how should Job regard his affliction?

Job 36:24 through 37:24 – How is the greatness of God expressed in nature? What is God’s relation to nature? According to Elihu what are God’s two uses for nature? How is all this an account of God’s ways? How is this passage a challenge to Job?

Job 38 – What are a few categories of the questions? How involved is God in the affairs of the world? Can you be ignorant of nature’s ways and yet hope to understand God’s ways? What are the specific realms of God’s sovereignty?

Job 39 – In what areas here are God’s power and sovereignty revealed? Is information or instincts more important when making decisions? What is the purpose and logic of God’s argument with Job?

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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