Traits of the New Nature

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Mark Shields

Before Jesus, humanity had a big problem but Jesus pushed the human race forward with traits of the new nature and changed the world for the better. He gave us the helper known as the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is with us helping to solve problems at work, at home, and wherever we are so those who follow are on the cutting edge of everything in the future..

Paul explains in Ephesians 4:17-32 that people were alienated because their hearts were hardened. They worshiped idols and were corrupted by what the world offered. They were full of greed and sought only to gratify the cravings of the flesh. They had deceitful desires like lying, anger, and stealing in order to get what they wanted.

But then Paul explains that God made all things new by tearing down the traits of the old character as He came to earth in the flesh, explained values, and taught about a new character. By learning the way of Jesus, we can build new character traits like righteousness, honesty, calmness, and encouraging or helping others.

The photo below is the Guadalupe River near Gruene Texas. God’s grace flows like a stream of water that keeps flowing and flowing. Ask in prayer that grace flows internally into your heart and naturally flows outward like a stream of water into activities that benefit your life at work and home.

This day with You Lord, we are thankful for what You have done to change the world for the better. That You came from up high down to us to explain values and taught about a new character. Help us to apply our faith with new character traits that encourage and help others. Amen.

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Power in the Name of Jesus

Posted on April 5, 2022 by Mark Shields

Each one should use whatever gift they have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. –  1 Peter 4:10

Our strength is not in being like everyone else but it is in being who we are; a precious child of God. God is with us and His Spirit abides in us. Because of this fact, we have unlimited potential because He has unlimited potential. It is up to us to realize how God can use us as an individual.

There’s a lot of work but plenty of resources through the threefold link of the Trinity. As explained in “Discovering Gifts”, there is one body and one Spirit (v. 4) so our responsibility is to use our individual gifts so the church is equipped for works of service. Each can concentrate on their strength so that the body of Christ may be built up for the good of all (v. 12-13).

When two or more are together in the name of Jesus, He is here.  As the song There is Power by Lincoln Brewster highlights, there is no fear or doubt when we proclaim this one name. This one name saves and will remain to break every chain. That one name is the name of Jesus.

Index of devotionals

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Discovering Strengths

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Mark Shields
Worship Service at First Methodist Waco Texas. I took this picture while working with the Media team.

The body of Christ coalesce the diverse gifts of Christians. Through the Spirit, let us each discover our gifts for the express purpose of kingdom building. This photo taken at my church shows the many gifts being exhibited from the choir in front of the church to those behind the scenes doing technical sound and video presentation.

The reading today in Ephesians 4:1-16, explains why Christ has given various gifts to those in the church. They have been given so each individual can concentrate on their natural abilities for the good of all.

There’s a lot of work to do but plenty of resources through the threefold link of the Trinity so we each need to determine what our calling is and work in unity with a common purpose.

*Paul names four types of Spiritual gifts that God has placed in the church (v. 11).

  • Apostles – There are no apostles in the church today as they had to have seen the risen Savior personally
  • Prophets – Those that proclaim and share the Word of God
  • Evangelist – Those that stir up the thoughts of the unsaved towards their eternal destiny and spur the saved towards joining in on the work that is needed
  • Pastors and teachers – Those that lead and feed the flock

There is one body and one Spirit (v. 4) so our responsibility is to use our individual gifts so the church is equipped for works of service. Each can concentrate on their strength so that the body of Christ may be built up for the good of all (v. 12-13).

This day with You Lord we are gathered together in prayer and there is power because when two or more are gathered together in Your name, You are with us. You Lord have made each of us with individual talents and natural abilities. These gifts of the Spirit are combined for unlimited potential for the good of all. Amen.

*Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.family-times.net/commentary/ephesians-47/>.

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The Power of Faith

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Mark Shields

Today’s poem is about Jesus’ control and authority. Today we are anchored to the power of faith that is able to handle impossible situations with courage, steadfastness, and the strength to bear adversity.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

The impossible 
Becomes possible
Because of the Father;
The Good News Author.

He gives a command 
And physics is in hand
Controlling life or death
And every breath.

For everything important,
Time is shortened
And you are supported
As power is transported.

Giving composure
To make things cozier
And in control
Of any toll.

For the foe is deceived
Since power is received
And it is all done
By accepting the Son.


Poem by Mark Shields – © 03-24-2022
Inspired by “The Power of Faith”
Photo – Bing Images
Thought - As you learn of Jesus’ control and authority, you become anchored to the principle of faith. You gain power to handle any situation because there is courage, steadfastness, and the strength to bear adversity.
Music – Take inspiration from the song The Same Power by Jeremy Camp and know that God is big enough to help us…

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Questions for Reflection in Study of Ephesians 4 – 6

Posted on March 31, 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 work, at home, and in all we do.

Ephesians 4:1-16 – What is your calling (See 1:3-14; 2:19-22; 3:14-19)? Why has Christ given various gifts to those in the church? Are the gifts for the benefit of the individual or the group?

Ephesians 4:17-32 – Why are people alienated (See 2:1-3 and Romans 1:18-25)? What are the traits of the old nature? What are the traits of the new nature? What indicates that you are putting off the old nature and putting on the new nature?

Ephesians 5:1-20 – How can you possibly take the admonition of verse 1 seriously (See 3:14-21)? What is the basis of your inspiration? In what ways are you light to your society?

Ephesians 5:21-33 – Why does not being submissive in the home or church show lack of reverence for Christ (See 4:15-16)?  What are your goals for the future in the area of establishing your home? Within your web of relationships, what will be required of you today to show reverence for Christ?

Ephesians 6:1-9 – What are the orders of authority in this passage? What is involved in the commands to obey and honor? What guidelines does this passage give for dealing with problems in our society?

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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