Soar Higher with Resistance

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Mark Shields

This day with God will be amazing because we will soar higher and higher using resistance to propel us to face our challenges with boldness. We will rely on the Word as our guide today as we read Mark 14:66-72 and write down the steps of action. God is in control and with Him by our side, everything will turn out right.

Peter had committed earlier in Mark 14 to keeping his faith even if threatened with death but Jesus had told Peter he would disown him three times. In today’s passage, we read that Peter does disown Jesus. He breaks down emotionally and weeps because he lacked the courage to stand up for Jesus.

Facing an unknown future, many react the same as Peter; lacking the courage to stand up for the Truth. In the days leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, many were afraid. In current times, we face fear but we can have confidence because the Spirit is with us

If facing difficulty while standing up for the Truth, it’s important to realize that courage is like a kite when divergent winds raise it higher. Going with the wind may get us to where we want to go faster but going against the wind lifts us to places higher and higher.

The resistance of the wind makes the kite fly and for a society to get to a higher level of enlightenment, it must have the courage to resist what is wrong even when the multitude has no desire to get above what keeps us down. The photo below was taken one spring day at my family farm near Teague Texas. 

This day with God, we’ve learned a lesson on using resistance to raise us higher. The things of this world that we think can cause harm to us do not have power over us. Help us Lord to make known Your Truth and the grace You offer even when the world resist. Lord, if this day is filled with some resistance, let us smile and say thank You as we continue to offer grace in Jesus name. Amen.

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Need You Now

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Mark Shields

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “Everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” – Mark 14:35-36

In the post “Inspiration to Aspiration”, Jesus was in distress because the time was near for Him to be arrested and go through the agonizing death on the cross. We should be inspired by His aspiration to fulfill His purpose. He prayed for God to spare him of this agony but understood and would continue to follow God’s will to victory even if it meant death on the cross.

The prayer of Jesus in verse 36 is complete as He expresses his hopes to be released from the agony He would go through but in prayer but accepts the fact that his own desires may not coincide with God’s will. If only more had this attitude of submission to God’s plan rather than their own desires.

When we aspire to follow God’s plan, we will pray like Jesus did. This will give us instructions for the tasks that need to be accomplished, the ability to keep going towards that purpose God has for us, the determination to overcome the difficulties, and the encouragement we will need to finish victoriously. 

Today’s song Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher gives us the encouragement to keep going towards our personal victory. The song stirs in us the desire to receive God’s help in guiding our heart. To be set free, let us remember that holiness is Christ in you and me.

Index of devotionals

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Inspiration to Aspiration

Posted on May 10, 2021 by Mark Shields

Reading in Mark 14:32-65, Jesus was in deep distress because he knew the time was near to fulfill his purpose on the cross. He prays at the Garden of Gethsemane while Peter, James, and John were supposed to keep watch nearby. The prayer of Jesus in verse 36 is complete as he expresses his hopes in prayer but accepts the fact that his own desires may not coincide with God’s will. If only more had this attitude of submission to God’s plan rather than their own desires.

When Jesus returns to Peter, James, and John, they were asleep rather than keeping watch. Imagine the feelings of Jesus as those he thought he could depend on were not able to do one simple request. The spirit is willing and the flesh is weak but with God, there is strength in weakness.

We can take this strength to make a stand for what is decent and right. It will take poise under extreme pressure but like the example of Jesus during the trial in verses 53-65, our poise confirms our desire to follow God’s plan for us rather than our own plan. We should just keep doing what we can with confidence knowing God will handle the complexities resulting in the amazing happening.

When we aspire to follow God’s plan, we will pray like Jesus did. This will give us instructions for the tasks that need to be accomplished, the ability to keep going towards that purpose God has for us, the determination to overcome the difficulties, and the encouragement we will need to accomplish the victory.

We have some good days and some bad days! That’s why there is a need to store up encouraging or inspiring thoughts that may come from things like photos, poetry, scripture, or music. The photo below of Lake Tahoe reminds me how the water collects from rain or from melting snow to create this amazing lake. In the same way, by praying each day we can replenish our soul with instructions, with encouragement, and with confidence that we can fulfill the purpose God has for us.

This day with You Lord, we feel Your presence as we set aside this time of learning about Your way and have a time of prayer. We are at peace and will have the poise like we learned today about the poise of Jesus. Good things will happen in our life because of our determined desire and ongoing commitment to fulfilling the purpose You have for us. Right now, the momentum for our life is building and we know that victory is near. Amen.

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Potential to Thrive

Posted on May 9, 2021 by Mark Shields

This day we seek out the treasure that provides more than ever imagined. It’s not gold or silver but a power that has no speed limit as we journey to where we need to go. By accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we have God speed with access to the Holy Spirit and this broadens our potential to thrive as we step ahead on this path to an amazing future. Amen 

Receive inspiration from the song Thrive by Casting Crowns and believe you are made for more than what the world has to offer. You are made for more than just surviving but you are made for thriving.

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Victory Formation

Posted on May 8, 2021 by Mark Shields

Geese form a V-shaped formation because the birds in the front reduce wind resistance for those in the back. After flying in front for a while, they will go to the back to rest and the next in line will take the lead. Like geese, we help each other along the journey. In return, each member receives the combined strength of the whole. Together as ONE in Christ, we are in victory formation so that the application of our faith becomes combined excellence and God’s glory is the ultimate outcome.

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