Maintain Integrity

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Mark Shields

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

Job responded well to the first test when he lost his children, his livestock, and his property. The second test we observe today in reading Job 2 is painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head (v. 7). 

Job said no to anything that would damage his character or compromise his honor. He maintained his integrity and would not curse God (v. 9). His view of God did not change in any way. His attitude was still that we enter the world with nothing so if wealth is lost, nothing is lost. If health is lost, quality of life while on Earth is lost. But if integrity is lost, we lose everything so we need to hold onto integrity and ask God for support.

Job’s wife and his three friends saw the suffering he went through. The strongest sign of the sympathy of Job’s three friends is the time they spend just being with Job. When we are around those that are suffering, our presence and our compassion for them is important so be concerned about their problems and pray with them.

Lord this day we may face trials but we can count on Your promises. These promises are built on truth so today we trust in Jesus during the storms of life. We go to the Rock for our salvation and trust Your plan. Amen.

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Healing a Broken Heart

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Mark Shields

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3

Within “Rocky Road”, the lesson is that we came into the world with nothing and we leave with nothing. What we do have is the love of God and that’s worth more than we could ever imagine.

Life throws us some curve balls and the road can be rocky. As the song by Ryan Stevenson featuring Vince Gill and Amy Grant says, the only way to heal a broken heart is When We Fall Apart.

Index of devotionals

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Rocky Road

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Mark Shields

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

In life, things can get rocky. We can be going down the road and obstacles get in the way to block our progress. I read this joke that ask this question, *Why did the ice cream truck break down?” The answer will come a little later in the comments.

Reading today in Job 1, we find out that Job was a man of faith with a large family, and of significant wealth. He walked the walk, was a family man, and a godly man. He became a target of Satan because Satan believed that God gave Job all he had but God knew who Job was so he allowed Job to be tested.

Satan was allowed to cause bad to happen to Job so Job lost his family, his livestock, and his property but continued to worship God. He said the following in verse 21:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
   And naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
   May the name of the Lord be praised.”

What we can take away from this passage is that our responses in difficulties should be to put things into perspective. We came into the world with nothing and we leave with nothing. What we do have is the love of God and that’s worth more than we could ever imagine.

So this day with God, let us look at problems as bringing another opportunity to gain experience. If we have patience and make Christ more than an acquaintance, we can endure distress and God will bless.

This day with You Lord, help us to take on difficulties with the right perspective. Help us to handle strive, struggle, and disappointment knowing that there is nothing You are not able to solve. Help us to find strength at these times through the power of grace because of our acceptance of Christ as Savior. Amen.

*Jokes for days. (2021). Funny Editor – Jokes for Days. https://www.funnyeditor.com

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Poetry Friday 4-28-2022

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Mark Shields

The poem at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by “Let Him In The Boat”. The photo was taken while traveling in Europe with a high school friend. We had both graduated from college and had some time available before we started our careers.

The main thought of the poem is that it’s that first step of faith that’s the hardest but each step after that guarantees greater strength because Jesus gets in the boat with us to calm the storm and give us momentum towards our destination.

Gain momentum today as you sail away on your destiny from the song One Step Away by Casting Crowns.

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Questions for Reflection for the Study of Job 1 through 7

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Mark Shields

The journey through the book of Ephesians has come to a close and now the journey will go into the book of Job. The book treats realistically the problems of human suffering and divine justice. I’ll try to feel Job’s anguished passion as he gropes for the truth about himself and God.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable as I share about God’s Word. As I share about my study of the book of Job, 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 each day amazing!

Job 1 – What kind of man is Job according to the author? Why is Job a target of Satan? In his affliction, what is Job’s response to things? What are your responses in difficulties?

Job 2 – How does Job respond to the second test? What is the strongest sign of the sympathy of Job’s three friends? How should we be when around the suffering? To what extent are you concerned about the problems of others?

Job 3 – What is the common element of the questions Job asks (See Verses 11-12, 16, 20-23)? Why should success followed immediately by tragedy provoke thought? How can you sympathize with the desperate? What kind of answer do you have for them?

Job 4-5 – What do the opening verses of chapter 4 reveal about Job? In what sense are we all born into trouble? What has Eliphaz learned about God in 5:8-16? Would the advice of Eliphaz help when facing trouble? What do you learn from this advice about helping others?

Job 6 – What evidences the intensity of Job’s sorrow? What does Job expect from his friends? What in his speech suggests that he is getting less? What are some ideas for being more warm hearted so you help others trust God more in difficult times?

Job 7 – To what does Job compare the life of mortal man? What wish dominates Job’s thought in the first part? What is always open to a man in despair? Do you think Job really wants to be left alone by God?

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 – A Spiritual Journey.

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.  <https://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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