Poetry Friday 4-22-2022

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Mark Shields

Jesus organized with the twelve disciples to make what seemed impossible possible. The poem at this link also encourages to continue this example of working together, applying our strengths, organizing, and sharing.

Inspired by “Unified for the Impossible”

Photo – Mobile Pack Event for Feed My Starving Children. Our church took on the very challenging task of making 100,000 food packed meals that would be sent to various places around the world. It seemed to be an impossible feat but because it was organized in such a way that everyone could contribute their time in a very efficient way, the challenge was met.

Thought – Jesus organized with the twelve disciples to make what seemed impossible possible. We are to continue this model of working together, applying our strengths, organizing, and sharing.

Music – Take inspiration from the song Jesus Changed Everything from Ernie Haase & Signature Sound to move us toward doing our part in sharing food for the soul which provides overflowing joy and abundant peace throughout the world today.

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Story of Glory

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Mark Shields 
If God be for us, who can be against us. – Romans 8:31

Because we pray, believe, and obey we’ve been given God’s armor as protection and strength. The rest is the story of glory as pointed out in “Armor for the Battle” because the shield of faith will block the darts of temptation. The Love of God through Christ will be your breastplate of righteousness and your helmet is the hope of salvation. 

Be inspired by songs like For God is with Us by King and Country as it tells us to dare to imagine and have the reason for living. Believe in Jesus and be a part of the story of glory and in an instant all that’s blocking progress will be finished so the victory is assured.

Index of devotionals

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Armor for the Battle

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Mark Shields

In medieval times, soldiers in heavily armored attire rode on horseback to protect kings. This picture was taken while I went on a travel/study to England in 1983. It was taken at Warwick Castle in England which was built by William the Conqueror in 1068.

Let’s face it, we live in a sometime dangerous world and there are those out to get us. That’s why we have doors that lock and software for cyber security. We also are constantly under attack from Satan and as explained in Ephesians 6:10-24, we need the armor of God as we fight back against hopelessness, fear, meaninglessness, hate, and all the other evil schemes that deceive.

We’ve been given God’s armor as protection and strength to help face such a formidable enemy. The shield of faith blocks the darts of temptations. The Love of God through Christ is our breastplate of righteousness and our helmet is the hope of salvation.

Some practical ways of putting on God’s armor is to believe, obey, and pray as you prepare for battle each day against the powers of darkness. Learn God’s Word and secure it in your heart so you have the weapons needed for winning the battles in life.

The victory is assured by accepting Christ as Savior because we are then in right standing with God’s Plan for Us. So we start with prayer, listen for directions, and step ahead with actions based on priorities.

The enemy will try to block our progress with things like distractions, lack of time, and energy but we can keep the armor of God sharp by looking at our daily routines with God’s Perfect Timing that will set in motion an incredible future because grace will power us through to victory.

This day with You Lord, we continue to grow in Your Word which is the sword against the enemy. You protect us and strengthen us for the battle each day as we pray, believe, and obey in Jesus name … Amen.

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Devoted Fellow Servants

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Mark Shields 
Test me, Lord, and try me,
   Examine my heart and my mind;
For I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
   And have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. - Psalm 26:2-3

A thought from “Walking the Walk” is that the moment we become devoted fellow servants to our Lord and Savior is the moment we alleviate many issues we face in our society today. We then will discover our place in helping and leading others which will enable our Master to change the world one person at a time.

So this day with our heavenly Father, take in the song Live Like You’re Loved by Hawk Nelson. Set in motion the steps to being set free and being all you were made to be.

Index of devotionals

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Walking the Walk

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Mark Shields

God loves each of us as a child and this love inspires our obedience to living like we are loved so we make choices each day as we follow the Way. Just like being physically fit for the walk, we need to be spiritually fit for walking the walk.

To gain spiritual fitness, we reflect on God’s word. Today in reading Ephesians 6:1-9, we find that the order of authority includes the Lord first, then parents, and children. To obey is to do what those in authority say to do. To honor is to give respect or be devoted to their instructions. Parents have essential responsibilities within the family unit and God gives guidelines through His Word for how parents should love their children, give them instructions about life, and in leading them towards a successful life.

This passage gives guidelines for dealing with many of our problems within society today. The moment we become devoted fellow servants with respect to our Lord and Savior is the moment we begin to discover our place in helping and leading others; enabling our Master to change the world one person at a time.

Many do not have good worldly fathers but our heavenly Father is available for all. Each local church is like a family that will help build up spiritual fitness. One way to receive guidance is by obtaining information and inspiration from sermons. Below is a poem I wrote that was inspired from the sermon of Reverend Steve Ramsdell in July of 2015.

There are rules we live by 
And they are our guardrails; 
Found in His Word 
And lighting our trails. 

These rules give us 
God’s design for living; 
Blessing those who 
Constantly are seeking. 

They lead us together 
Holding each other’s hands; 
Living by the Word 
And keeping His commands. 

They are the guide for
Each decision 
As we read His Word 
And follow the vision. 

These rules make the world 
A better place; 
Stepping ahead
To win the race. 

To invest in people
By helping a friend
And gaining the treasure
That rewards without end.

Father God, You love us even more than we love ourselves. Because of this love, we are inspired to be obedient to You. We want to walk the walk and when others see our devotion to Your way, they will want to follow too. The reward for this obedience is freedom towards being all we are made to be. Amen

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