Victorious Outcomes

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Mark Shields

The passage today is Deuteronomy 20 and is about the people going to war to take the Promised Land. Pointed out is the need to be confident in God’s commands and carry them out with obedience knowing that the Lord would be with them to help bring a victorious outcome.

The same is true in our daily lives as we constantly battle the inner enemies of our soul. The Lord will be with us to fight these enemies. The enemies like fear, envy, pessimism, hate, and disobedience. Instead, we are to take in the Word in order to produce wonderful outcomes like faith, hope, and love.

The Lord will be with us and we can trust in the Lord to nourish our Spirit with His Word. This will produce the weapons we need to battle the unseen internal enemies. The Lord has our interests in mind and roots for us; while the enemy roots against us.

This day with God will be amazing because as we fight our battles, He is with us to turn tough situations into magnificent outcomes. He can take intense difficulties and make simplicities emerge. We are to trim the edges, pull out the weeds, and design our inner garden as we tweak our daily routines so the good has a chance flourish and the bad no longer grows.

This day with You Lord, we trust in Your way. You are with us along this journey and we will take things one step at a time as we keep following Your direction. There may be good days and there may be bad days but we will keep our focus on You, keep being faithful, and know the outcome will be one of victory. Amen.

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Jesus is the Way

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Mark Shields

I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life. – Psalm 119:93

Brought out in the post “Justice” is that God loves order. He has a plan for us so priorities are set up. We have order in how neighbors should treat each other and laws to secure justice.

Receive inspiration today from the song The Way by Jeremy Camp. There is a beauty in God’s plan as we live out each day. Letting His glory fill the land and knowing Jesus is the Way.

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Justice

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – Bing Images

This day with God will be amazing because as we read Deuteronomy 18-19, precepts of God’s Word will result in amazing insight into how best a society might function. Think about it, all the laws are formed from the Ten Commandments and He loves order so that’s why He has a plan for us.

He sets things up with priorities, with order in how neighbors should treat each other, and protects people with just laws. To create order, the Levites were set aside for God like the firstborn. They were to serve God by carrying out the functions of the temple, teaching His law, and giving guidance. They had no allotment or inheritance but lived on the offerings received.

The best way to learn is from each other so God sends us spiritual leaders to guide us. He reveals Himself through a prophet like Moses and then most assuredly through Jesus so that the principles of living the way He instructs are understood. A prophet’s message was in accordance with God’s Word and prophecy must come true else the person would be considered a false prophet.

Certain provisions were established to secure justice. Cities of refuge would be set up to protect those accused of a crime. This sounds like the establishment of the idea “innocent until proven guilty”. Matters of law breaking would be investigated, testimony would be given, and witnesses would be heard. After being found guilty, punishment would be stringent and carried out to deter anyone from criminal behavior.

This day with You Lord, we are grateful for the plan You have given us. Your precepts never let us down and Your Word is essential. Your Way provides justice and order in our world and because of Jesus, there is grace and we have a model to follow as we apply these precepts. Amen.

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Ruth: A Story of Redemption, Part 2

Posted on January 17, 2021 by Mark Shields

Today’s message from my pastor at this link is about Ruth 2. A message of hope when it seems all hope is lost.

Worship online via FUMC at this link https://firstwaco.com/ or Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

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Liberty and Justice for All

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Mark Shields

God has high standards but to achieve these high standards, several tools have been given including grace, power, and the Holy Spirit to guide each day toward that high standard. Receive inspiration from the wonderful song “Resurrection Power” by Chris Tomlin.

Mark Shields's avatarThis Day With God - A Spiritual Journey

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. – Amos 5:24

Highlighted in the post “The Integrity of the Cross” is that the treasure of what is true and right must be for all. A society must judge with integrity and with the friendly companion of truth which history has sorted out over time. Proven throughout history is that the accurate Word of God is reliable to nourish and strengthen a society so it can flourish.

Much like a gardener removes weeds from a garden, we can root out the weeds that limit our ability to flourish. Part of that process is filling the inner garden with nourishment for the soul.

So this day with God, take in good songs like Resurrection Power by Chris Tomlin telling us that Jesus is living on the inside. We are no longer bound by sin and…

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