Straight and Narrow

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Mark Shields

This day with God, we are reading Job 22 to collect thoughts and ideas to help follow the Way. Instead of going against the wind, we will harness the power of the wind; the constant, calm, and collected breeze of the Holy Spirit providing power now and into the hereafter.

Noticed in today’s passage is a change in intensity, In this third round of speeches, Eliphaz has a concept of God in which He demands His people be righteous; submitting to His ways in order to achieve peace and prosperity. Eliphaz accuses Job of pride, covetousness, and of a lack of compassion.

Remember, Job had been a wealthy man before tragedy struck; losing his children, his livestock, and his property. Then painful sores covered his body from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head (Job 3:7). 

Eliphaz shares his belief that the truly successful person is the righteous person because the power of the Almighty is with them and the Light shines upon the path they walk. The Almighty becomes their treasure like silver and gold.

Although this is a beautiful passage, it doesn’t apply to Job’s situation because remember that it was Satan that caused all the devastation in Job’s life. God allowed Satan to create havoc in Job’s life to proof that Job desired spiritual wealth rather than earthly wealth. That he wanted to truly worship God rather than just go through the motions in order to have success on earth. 

Eliphaz misapplies truth because of a lack of understanding about our God who is not a demanding God but one who wants us to follow out of love. We know the rest of the story; that Jesus makes us righteous. We are liberated from sin and the value of this freedom is worth more than material wealth.

We read, study, examine, listen, and reflect upon God’s Word for wisdom that brings spiritual wealth rather than tangible wealth. We do this out of our love for God and not because we are forced to do so. We let the Spirit of God ingrain His instructions upon our heart as we pray that the Spirit keeps us stepping ahead on the straight and narrow path by applying biblical principles in our life.

This day, we understand that the Law makes nothing perfect but Jesus does. Today, we put our trust in Jesus as we follow the path to the ultimate destination. The Spirit is our guide as we go along the straight and narrow. Amen.

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Poetry Friday 7-15-2022

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Mark Shields

Today’s poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “Acceptance”. Jesus offered grace so that both the Law of Moses and the intentions of God are accomplished. Things are not that different in current times as some individuals or groups reject certain thoughts, ideas, or established traditions.

Take encouragement in the song Grace Wins by Matthew West  because our faith has one common thread that binds us; the power of Christ in what we believe and how we live. Individuals and groups are not perfect but there is always victory with grace. It wins all the time!

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Imagine What It Will Be Like

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Mark Shields

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. –  Philippians 3:13-14

The journey through the book of Job continued within the post “Purpose of the Journey”. Noted is that Job complained to God for letting evil people experience wealth and happiness. We don’t have to completely understand God’s ways. Even Jesus had questions before going to the cross but He continued to follow God’s purpose for His life. 

Fulfilling our purpose on earth may not lead to fame and happiness. In fact, fulfilling our purpose on earth may bring tremendous challenges but the difficulties we face are short term. Listen to the song I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe and imagine what it will be like when that day comes. What will your heart feel standing in His presence? Forever worshiping the ONE true God.

Index of devotionals

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Purpose of the Journey

Posted on July 13, 2022 by Mark Shields

This day will be amazing because we are totally focused on the purpose of the journey and are following the road map by organizing thoughts from God’s word, documenting them, and sharing with others to offer encouragement.

Today, we are reading in Job 21 and note that Job regards the second speech of Zophar as mockery. He simply wants his friend to listen to his complaints and support what he is going through. Zophar doesn’t understand that Job is complaining to God for letting evil people experience wealth and happiness. The facts as Job sees them is that even though the wicked rejected God, Job says they have what he does not. They have security, they have prosperity (v. 7-16), and they seem to never suffer (v. 17-22).

We don’t have to completely understand God’s ways. Even Jesus had questions before going to the cross but He just followed God’s purpose for His life. Fulfilling our purpose on earth may not lead to fame and happiness. In fact, fulfilling our purpose on earth may bring tremendous challenges but the difficulties we face are short term.

God’s plan for us gives each of us the power of the Holy Sprint and when we mix this power with the teachings of Christ, we each can be led to a bright future. Beyond life on earth, there is life eternal which blesses beyond our imagination.

We don’t have to follow corrupted leaders of our day. Instead we can follow the Way and be led by the ONE true God who purifies the corruption of the world one person at a time. The result is better people, better neighborhoods, better states, and better nations.

This day with You God, we don’t completely understand all of Your ways and sometimes we have questions but we know You are leading us in the right direction. You want us to have so much more than this world can give. This day, we have paused, reflected, and have chosen Your Way that will lead to the place we can only imagine. 

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Job 21-28

Posted on July 12, 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 21 – How does Job regard the second speech of Zophar? What is all Job wants from his friends? Do you have to understand God’s ways of doing things? Why?

Job 22 – What concept of God does Eliphaz have? Who is the truly wealthy person? Although this is a beautiful passage, why doesn’t it apply to Job’s situation? Can you remember a time when you have witnessed someone misapply truth? Why did they misapply it?

Job 23-24 – What is Job’s main concern in chapter 23? What makes the difference between Job’s confidence (23:4-7, 10-12) and his dread (23:13-17)? How has God taken the initiative to find you?

Job 25-26 – What is the emphasis of Bildad’s third speech concerning God and man? In what different ways does God use His power (relate to 26:14)? How are you involved in the greatness and power of God?

Job 27 – Considering that Job and his friends have access to the same facts, why do you think that they come to different conclusions? What can you do when you are pressured to be deceitful or ignore facts you know?  When have you asked God to expose flaws in your thinking? Why?

Job 28 – What is the purpose of this description of mining? Why doesn’t technological advancement bring moral wisdom? What kind of perspective brings wisdom? How and where have you found wisdom?

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.

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/>.

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.

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