The Way of Truth

Posted on January 5, 2022 by Mark Shields

The decisions we make have a big impact on the future. That’s why we need to be people of integrity and character. The best way to achieve this aim is to follow the way of truth by constantly gaining wisdom from God’s Word, asking for direction, and acting on the instructions given.

Reading today in 1 Samuel 22, David’s brothers and his father’s household along with those who were in distress, in debt, or discontented gathered with David at Adullam. Saul and his men went after David and were told that Ahimelech had given David provisions. Ahimelech just told Saul the truth. He explained that he didn’t know that David was fleeing or that he had been deceived by David.

Saul believed Ahimelech had sided with David so he ordered his guards to kill Ahimelech and the priests of Nob.  His guards would not so Saul then ordered the person in charge of his servants named Doeg to kill them. Doeg decided to follow Saul’s command and strike them down so that day eighty five priests were killed along with the men, women, and children of the town.

One son of Ahimelek named Abiathar did manage to escape and was able to tell David what had happened. David humbly expressed remorse and told him that he was responsible the death of Abiathar’s family. Too often, we hear of people taking the easy way out and blaming others. That’s not the way it was with David, he showed character and integrity by taking the responsibility for the priests and their families being killed.

This day with You Lord, we are guided by truth. We have the attitude of wanting to know where we fall short and what we need to do. You have high standards Lord but we have the Holy Spirit, grace, and power to keep following your promises that are built on truth. Amen.

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Stand Up to Pressure with Optimism

Posted on January 4, 2022 by Mark Shields

This photo was taken while on vacation years ago. We were going up Mt. Haleakala which is a dormant volcano on the Hawaiian Island of Maui. Volcanos occur because deep inside the earth there is built up pressure that has to be released. Just like inside each of us in which there is all this built up frustration and anxiety.

Within the post “Higher Ground”, we noted that David didn’t respond well to his situational pressure. He feared that Saul would kill him so he felt he had to lie to others during his escape rather than having confidence in God for protection.

If you stand up to pressures with optimism and ask God to help, you will overcome them. Be freed from pessimism and read this poem to begin your day stepping ahead on the journey with confidence.

Deep inside the earth
Is built up power
Released by the volcanos 
That ultimately devour. 

Just like our past
With frustration
Building up inside
With agitation.

Causing us to react at times
When our thinking
Was in the wrong direction;
Not having an inkling.

Instead of thinking 
Of good going our way
That builds momentum
Throughout the day.

Gaining an edge
To staying on track instead
As we go along the path
And step ahead.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 06-17-2021
Inspired by devotional
“Praise Always”

Index of devotionals

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Higher Ground

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Mark Shields

David had defeated the giant and the people thought highly of him but Saul became jealous to the point that he wanted to kill David so David thought he had to escape. As we read today 1 Samuel 21, let us keep in mind about the enemies we face each day and what God wants us to do in times of trouble. God can take tough situations and turn them into something positive. Out of intense difficulties, God can make simplicities emerge.

Noted in today’s passage is that David went to Ahimelek the priest to escape Saul who wanted to kill David. He ask for food so the priest gave him the consecrated bread which is lawful only for priests to eat. David also needed a weapon so the priest gave him the sword used to kill Goliath.

The priest wondered why David was alone so David made up a story that he was sent by the king on a mission. David lied and we note that nowhere in the Bible is lying excused even when trying to relieve some situational pressure. One lie usually leads to other lies.

Then, David went to Achish king of Gath to continue his escape from the threat of Saul. Unfortunately, he was recognized by the servants and he knew that Saul would be notified of his whereabouts so he acted as though he was insane.

Like David, we face enemies in life. Our enemies may include things like financial struggles, bad health, or stressed relationships and we sometimes react in the wrong way to relieve our situational pressures. We stay in the valley instead of making the climb to a higher place.

But we can look to the future with optimism because with Christ in our heart, we are highly favored. God will show the way to face our situations and protect us in complex matters of life. We can be bold and expect direction from God to take care during times of worry or troubles. We can change from the inside out as we gain experience for the future and always know things will get better. With Christ in our heart, there is eternity to look forward to and it only gets better each day.

This day with You Lord, we can forget the past without a trace. By accepting Christ as Savior, we receive grace and You will bless. Sometimes we face impossible odds but we can hold on to Your promises. Your favor will change the direction of our future so we can overcome the enemies we face with confidence. Amen.

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Sorting Out Priorities and Planning

Posted on December 31, 2021 by Mark Shields

Connect the dots and internalize the guiding principles taught by Christ by getting the guidance needed and planning out each day.

Hope this poem has inspired you as we set up priorities and plan for the upcoming year. Have a Happy New Year!

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The Benefits of Kindness

Posted on December 30, 2021 by Mark Shields

A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. – Proverbs 11:17

We are placed many times throughout life into difficult circumstances. The enemy is constantly plotting to get us off track but we can trust God to overrule our circumstances and there are friends to help along the way.

So take inspiration from songs like Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw and knowledge from post like “Friendships”. As the song says, in striving to make a climb and making it to the top, stay humble and kind. Then help the next one in line.

Index of devotionals

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