Alleviate Doubt by Reaching Out

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Mark Shields

At times, you may question God. It’s hard to see how some difficulties can be overcome. But friend, God can make the impossible possible. This poem encourages you to believe in His power! To have faith in your own abilities to do His work.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

The mission may seem 
Impossible 
But with God, all things 
Are possible.

For some challenges bring doubt
But faith that God is bigger
Helps us step ahead 
Each day with vigor.

So explore today,
Away from the comfort zone
In order to be satisfied
At reaching a milestone.

Never be disappointed
By the things you did not do
so even in difficulty
Believe You'll make it through.

Faith goes a long way
So keep on praising
And believe the Lord 
Will do the amazing!

Poem by Mark Shields – © 07-01-2021
Inspired by
“Alleviate Doubt by Reaching Out”

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Gain the Victory

Posted on July 1, 2021 by Mark Shields

Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies. – Psalm 60:11-12

The post “Coming Together” highlighted how Gideon overcame adversity throughout his life to do great things for God. As leader, his people achieved their aims and stepped ahead of their enemies. He then gave credit to God for all the victories.

The people had good leadership with a plan for them to achieve amazing things. Most of all, the Words of God gave the victory because Gideon listened. Let us praise God with the song Words by Hawk Nelson. Like the song says, “Words can build us up, words can break us down; start a fire in our hearts, or put it out”.

Index of devotionals

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Coming Together

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Mark Shields

On Dec. 21, 2020 we had the convergence or coming together of Jupiter and Saturn. These planets looked as though they merged together and were closer to each other than they had been in 800 years to form a bright star in the southwestern sky much like the star of Christmas. In a similar way, God provides a convergence of people to guide us to Jesus; the ONE born in a world of turmoil that needed a Redeemer.

Today, we are reading from Judges 8. The Ephraimites wanted to take the glory of victory and resented that they were not allowed to be involved in the attack of the Midianites but words are powerful and Gideon was able to appease them by telling them how much they had contributed to the victory and their resentment subsided.

Since the motive of the Ephraimites was fame and glory for themselves, God did not get any credit for victory in their eyes. Also, the people being led by Gideon wanted to give all the credit to Gideon for the victory. Let us take today’s passage as encouragement as we read that Gideon the unselfish leader gave the credit to God and refused to accept the authority offered to him when the Israelites ask him to rule over them.

Gideon had come together with God and played a big part in saving His people from the hand of Midian but Gideon told them that he would not rule over them but suggested that they let the Lord rule over them and be their king (v. 23). If in our own lives, we are humble like Gideon and work together for God’s glory, we will be victorious too! We will consistently beat the enemy because of our coming together and stepping ahead to achieve God’s plan for us.

This day with You Lord we have a plan that always brings victory in our life. Your power will work through us to accomplish amazing things. Like Gideon demonstrates in today’s passage, by listening to You, we are assured that the best days are ahead. On our journey to the future, we are growing because of a life transforming relationship with Jesus who has taught about merging our individual strengths together to accomplish more than we could ever imagine. Amen.

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Judges 8 – 13

Posted on June 29, 2021 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.

Judges 8 – What motive is reflected in the actions of the men of Ephraim? To whom do the people give credit for the victory? Do I tend to want to accept the praise for myself or truly acknowledge that it was all the Lord’s doing?

Judges 9 – What basic argument does Abimelech use to persuade the people to accept him as their leader? How are the selfish motives of Abimelech demonstrated repeatedly in the events recorded in this passage? How does Abimelech pay for is methods of gaining power? When have you experienced a similar boomerang effect?

Judges 10 – What, do you think, is the appeal of the nations’ gods for Israel? What is the result of following idols? Why did Israel have to endure oppression? What indicates that the people have a definite change of heart?

Judges 11 – What did Jephthah do to cause the people to listen to him? In the dispute of the land, what does Jephthah point out about the ownership of the land? What is your view of making and keeping vows to the Lord?

Judges 12 – What is different about the ways Jephthah and Gideon (See 8:1-3) handle the resentment of the men of Ephraim? What is noticeable about the impact of the death of the judges in this chapter? To what extent are you dependent on the leadership of another person for your spiritual stability?

Judges 13 – How is the calling of Samson as judge different from the other callings thus far? Describe Manoah’s concern for the future of this promised son. What in Samson’s childhood shows that the Lord confirms his calling of Samson?

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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Spiritual Journey through Judges 1-7

Posted on June 28, 2021 by Mark Shields

Photo – Bing Images

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in Judges 1-7 and sharing some thoughts that not only benefit us now but also help the next generation too! The greatest of all possessions one can hand off to future generations are the guiding principles taught by Christ Jesus.

Shared in the post “Line up with the Plan”, was how the Israelites had escaped slavery in Egypt and finally made it to the Promised Land but didn’t completely finish God’s plan. Unfortunately, they half way completed the plan and this would come back to cause their downfall.

The post “Focus on the Way” pointed out that once Joshua died, the Israelites lacked leadership and lost their way. The judges helped the people to understand the Way of the Lord but upon the death of a judge, the people would fall back to their destructive habits.

Within the post “Roadmap to Victory” are examples of how victories were gained. The greatest attribute of those that gained victories was that they let God lead them. Today, we can do the same by using God’s plan for us. 

For like what was pointed out in the post “He Prepares the Way”, great things can be done with God’s help because He prepares the way. Those against us don’t stand a chance when we know God is our strength and we work together to advance His cause.

Keep up with my spiritual journey over the next few weeks either through following this blog or the Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey. Let’s share thoughts or ideas about applying our faith in current times.

We learned about the unlikely hero named Gideon in the post “Step Ahead with Faith”.  Gideon was prepared to carry out the plan received from God. Even though Gideon was hesitant and had doubts about his ability to follow through with the plan, he passed the test by receiving guidance from the Holy Spirit and taking the initiative to carry out the plan step by step.

A take away from the post “Productive and Efficient” is that we can make humble use of the basic plan that God provides and this plan is greater than any suggestion presented by an exclusive group of experts.

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