Excited Child of God

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Mark Shields

This day will be amazing because of the joy of the past; excitement for what’s to come, and the thankfulness for God accepting us as His child. Thinking back to our previous study, each time the Philistines moved the arc of the Lord, the city it was placed in was devastated as the people were afflicted with plagues.

The Philistines demanded that the arc of the Lord be put back in its original place. Reading today in 1 Samuel 6:18 through 7:14, the arc of the Lord was finally returned and some were curious so they looked inside. Seventy people were killed because they defiled it when they opened it up (v. 19).

The take away for me is to stay totally focused on God and worship the ONE who can deliver from our enemies just like Samuel was doing as leader of Israel when the Philistines engaged in battle with them. Why have interest in things that are temporary and constantly changing when we can be absorbed with an awesome God of miracles!

Let us pray all the time … not just because of fear but because the Lord can help put in motion attainment of tremendous victories.  God was with Israel as recorded in today’s passage as they defeated the Philistines.  In fact, the hand of the Lord was with Israel for the rest of Samuel’s lifetime as leader of Israel (v. 13).

When we worship the ONE true God, He will be with us each day building up our character and setting things up for a future beyond our imagination. Let us have a passion for helping others see their future in new ways. With God, we can get through anything and celebrate because of the victory.

This day with You Lord, we are excited because of what You will do for our future. With You Lord, we can get through anything and celebrate the victory we will always have. Worthy is the Lamb whose sacrifice makes available this victory and the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit at work within us. We fix our eyes on You Lord and dream about the possibilities of the future. Amen.

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Steered Along the Path that He has Cleared

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Mark Shields

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 3:18

The post “Decisions” has some thoughts about how to resolve uncertainties. The Lord gives wisdom and understanding from the experiences we go through. Within 1 Samuel 6:1-18, the cows provided the answer to their questions.

In current times, we can be thankful that God has been kind to us with the gift of His Son. We can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be steered along the path that He has cleared.

Here’s what to do; know the old and seek to improve with the new. Your aim will be true, you will make it through, your dreams will be in view, and you will accomplish more than you ever knew.

Be inspired by the song Dear Younger Me by MercyMe . Take in the understanding from younger days to help with decisions and choices for the future. Receive a brand new heart that sets you apart to be freed indeed.

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Decisions

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Mark Shields

Reading today in 1 Samuel 6:1-18, we are given a lesson on getting advice and decision making. Each time the Philistines moved the arc of the Lord, the city it was placed in was devastated as the people were afflicted with plagues from rats and an outbreak of tumors so the Philistines demanded that the arc of the Lord be put back in its original place.

The Philistines inquired with the priests and diviners to determine what to do with the arc of the Lord. The priests recommend to send the ark back along with a gift. A guilt offering of five gold tumors and five gold rats so that the Lord would lift His hand from them and their land (v. 5).

Instructions were given to put the arc of the Lord in a cart and two cows would be chosen to carry the cart. If the cows took the cart to Beth Shemesh, it would be a sign that the Lord brought on the plagues but if they took the cart somewhere else, the plagues happened by chance.

In this reading, the cows provided the answer to their questions but God has been kind to us with the gift of His Son as the sacrifice for our sin. Our guilt is removed when we accept this gift and worship God as not one of many deities but the ONE who is the source of life.

It’s important to realize God’s power and that He has a plan for us. We have experts today to help with decisions but we must take into account that God’s expertise is greater so that’s why we open His Word, follow His will, and faithfully carry out His plan. We don’t let misinformation or bad science lead to awful choices. We gain wisdom and understanding with experience and go to God in prayer relying on the ONE who has all the answers.

Lord, You have all the answers and we rely on Your wisdom to guide us along the path. You have given us a plan and we grow to understand this plan each day. Lord, we trust in You to steer us along the path that is clear. The path cleared by Jesus. Amen.

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Negative Influences

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Mark Shields

Read this poem knowing that God is on your side today to help fight any negatives that try to confine your progress.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Photo – Taken while going up Mt. Haleakala on the island of Maui. It’s a dormant volcano now but when it was active, the lava from volcanic eruptions formed more than 75% of the island.  Deep inside the earth, there is all this built up energy that is released through volcanos. Like the paradise of the Hawaiian Islands, God can turn our intense difficulties into something positive and His power can cause simplicities to emerge into an eternal paradise.

Thinking is going In the wrong direction Causing me to lose my edge And I need a correction. Hit with so many Negative influences On a daily basis Lowers my chances. But like a volcano With built up energy, Out of intense negatives Can emerge a synergy. Knowing God is on my side To help fight the negatives That confine my progress, I write new narratives. As my thoughts turn to…

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The Power that Works Within Us

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Mark Shields

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us – Ephesians 3:20

The thought shared in the post “Planning for What’s Possible” is that we worship and serve just one God. An awesome God providing victory in a person named Jesus who influences how we think and act. He’s also given us the Holy Spirit to set us on a path with ideas, hopes, and aspirations. We should respond by listening to His Word, using the instructions, and following through by applying them in our life.

As the song He is With Us by Love & The Outcome says, God is with us giving purpose and meaning in everything we do. The good news is that He’s never going to leave

Index of devotionals

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