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Confidence in the Lord

Posted on December 2, 2021 by Mark Shields

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13

The post “Boldly Going to Places that No One Else will Go” gave us an example of the Bible character named Jonathan who had confidence and this assurance influenced the men around him so that victory over the enemy became possible. Confidence in the Lord helps settle the past and determine the future. It provides the foundation of courage to assist us as we start a bold adventure and directs our steps to greatness.

Be inspired by the song The Great Adventure by Steven Curtis Chapman and receive God’s amazing grace. Saddle up because there’s a trail to blaze and a life like no other. A life of adventure and things to explore because that’s what we’re created for.

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Posted in Devotionals, Optimism | Tagged Adventure, Confidence, Courage, Devotional, Faith, Future, Music, Optimism, Past, Praise, Worship | 3 Comments

Boldly Going to Places that No One Else will Go

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Mark Shields

Photo Source – Bing Images

The further you go to west Texas, you start to see low range of mountains like the ones in this photo which was taken near Abilene Texas at Buffalo Gap. The small town has a frontier history and you can see in the photo that it got its name from a wide gap in the Callahan Divide which is a low range of mountains where buffalo herds traveled. It was a point on the Great Western Cattle Trail. Today, it has a few restaurants and art handicraft shops and caters to tourists.

As we adventure into God’s Word today in 1 Samuel 14, we will document what happened in the past to gain experience for the future and have faith in a bright future ahead. With Christ in your heart, there is eternity to look forward to and it only gets better each day.

We note in today’s reading that Jonathan and his armor-bearer went through a gap between two cliffs toward the Philistine outpost. Jonathan was bold and had confidence that the Lord would determine the day’s outcome. Throughout today’s reading, Jonathan makes statements that show his confidence in the Lord.

In verse 6, he makes statements like, “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving us”! When going up against the enemy, he said, “That will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands (v. 10). When facing his father Saul about going against the oath he laid on the people, Jonathan made the statement, “I tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now I must die (v. 43).” He was not worried about his fate because he knew God was with him.

Because of his faith, Jonathan’s boldly went to places that no one else would go and his confidence influenced the men around him so that victory over the enemy became possible. Confidence in the Lord settles the past and determines the future. It provides the foundation of courage to assist us as we start a bold adventure which directs our way along the road to greatness.

With God, available is a power greater than any other power. The optimism from our faith will not only impact our own life but those around us too. The most incredible times are the result of carrying out God’s purpose. We are living a great adventure and we are building memories today that can be the greatest joys of our life.

This day with You Lord, we are living a great adventure. Some days may be difficult but we are optimistic that something good will emerge. Out of intense difficulties, You Lord can make simplicities emerge. No problem or challenge is too big for You Lord so we are confident that the past will be settled and the future will be amazing.

Posted in Bible Study, Optimism | Tagged Adventure Photo, Bible Study, Confidence, Courage, Faith, Future, Optimism, Past, Prayer | 3 Comments

The Perfect Work of Patience

Posted on November 30, 2021 by Mark Shields

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. – James 1:2-4

Brought out in the post “Equipped for Battle” was that the impatience of Saul resulted in the downfall of his kingdom. Patience can achieve more than our own determined effort. Wait for God, seek Him constantly, be determined to keep His plan, and obey His commands. Rely on the armor of God for safety and follow God’s plan to take on the challenges ahead.

Like the song Keep Making Me by Sidewalk Prophets, the Lord will keep making you ready. When you think you’re finished, get help from the Spirit because with the Spirit, there is no limit. Keep on fighting and hope will keep rising.

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Posted in Devotionals, Going Extra Mile | Tagged Confidence, Devotional, Discipline, Faith, Going Extra Mile, Music, Patience, Praise, victory, Worship | 1 Comment

Equipped for Battle

Posted on November 29, 2021 by Mark Shields

Photo Source – Bing Images

To be equipped for battle in life, we need the armor of God as listed in the photo. Today, we ask God to keep making us ready for the challenge as we step ahead. Reading today in 1 Samuel 13, we note that the Philistines were attacked and defeated at Geba but fought back. They organized with soldiers and supplies in response to the point that Saul’s troops began to scatter due to their fear.

Then, we note that Saul became impatient and came up with his own plan. This impatience of Saul resulted in the downfall of his kingdom and thus we get this lesson from today’s passage: Patience can achieve more than our own determined effort. The best choice for Saul would have been to wait for God, seek Him constantly, be determined to keep His plan, and obey His commands. To rely on the armor of God for safety and stick to God’s plan in meeting the challenges ahead.

Because of Saul’s disobedience in following his own plan, God’s favor was not with him and a string of events occurred that put the Israelites in a predicament. The Philistines took the blacksmith away from the people of Israel so they had to travel to Philistine to get their tools sharpened. The blacksmith also charged a high price for their work so the people of Israel could not afford their services. As a result, their spears and swords were not sharpened for the upcoming battle.

This day with You Lord, sharpen our Spiritual Weapons so that we are ready for our challenges. Help us to be patient, keep Your plan, and obey Your commands. We rely on Your armor for safety as we fight the good fight against the enemy. Spur us on to keep stepping ahead with confidence in knowing that victory is assured. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Going Extra Mile | Tagged Bible Study, Confidence, Going Extra Mile, Patience, Photo, Prayer, victory | 3 Comments

Expect A Great Adventure

Posted on November 26, 2021 by Mark Shields

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. – Matthew 6:33

We can expect a great adventure as explained in the post “One Small Step” if we take things to God and allow Him to strengthen us when we are weak; letting Him assist in brightly illuminating our joy so it becomes light along the path.

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