Kneeling to Pray Gives Strength to Stand

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Mark Shields

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

In “The Parable of the Tenants” told by Jesus and recorded in Mark 12:1-12, the vineyard is the nation of Israel, the tenants are the religious leaders, and the son is Christ. The tenants are fully aware of what they are doing as they had several opportunities to do the right thing but were determined to kill the son. Their motive for killing the son was to gain total control of the vineyard.

The temple leaders knew the metaphors of the parable because they were acquainted with the Scripture in Isaiah 5:1-7 but the parable makes it plain that their attitude toward Jesus was one of disrespect. They didn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, or the Truth.

This day with God, let us accept the ONE who has all the answers. Then God will accept us into an amazing future in which the impossible becomes possible. Let us each use our individual strengths for the glory of His kingdom. Then there will be peace and calmness as we accept our lot in life, focus on what we can do, accept His help, and just be the awesome person we were made to be.

Lord, we pray each day because kneeling to pray is what gives us strength to stand. There is peace in prayer because we are praying to the ONE who has all the answers. Today Lord … as we make decisions at home, at work, what to do, and how we use our time, we trust in your guidance and have confidence because we have accepted Your Son Jesus and will be helped … Amen!

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Amazing Grace

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – Bing Images

From the cold of winter
To new life at spring,
Easter reminds
Of this great thing;
That amazing grace for all
Flows from up above
Like a waterfall
From way up high
To down here on earth
With power and new birth.

Photo Credit – Bing Images

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Step Ahead to Easter

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Mark Shields

Have a wonderful Easter weekend my friends. Take inspiration from this poem as we step ahead to Easter.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

The winter no longer
Cold and blistery
As new growth of spring
Fills us with mystery.

The event of Easter  
took us from despair
To hope as the tomb
Was suddenly bare.

Reminding us now
Of God’s love
That fills us with joy
From up above.

Refueling the soul
And instructive
For the best way
To be productive.

To step ahead 
As we journal
Along the clear path
To life eternal. 

Poem by Mark Shields – © 04-01-2021

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Praise for Our Days

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Mark Shields

I took a poem I wrote which was inspired by Psalm 145 – 146 and added music from the Piano Guys called “Begin Everything” to produce this video. Let us give praise as we begin our Easter weekend.

Posted in Easter, Music, Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Mark 12

Posted on April 1, 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.

Mark 12:1-12 – Are the tenants fully aware of what they are doing? What is their motive? How do the priests, scribes, and elders know what the metaphors of the parable represent (See Is. 5:1-7)? In what way does this parable make plain their attitude toward Jesus?

Mark 12:13-17 -What is the trap of the Herodians? Why does the trap fail? What benefits do you accept from the government? What are your responsibilities demanded in return?

Mark 12:18-27 – What are the religious beliefs fs the Sadducees concerning the resurrection and angels? How do the Sadducees hope to trick Jesus? In what ways does Jesus embarrass them? In what ways is their question meaningless? How does Jesus validate belief in the resurrection?

Mark 12:28-34 – What prompts the scribe to question Jesus? What does the scribe think of Jesus’ understanding and answer of his question? What is involved in loving God and your neighbor? How will you love God and your neighbor today?

Mark 12:35-44 – What is the Jewish opinion about the kingdom? How does Jesus explain the question from Psalm 110? How does Jesus characterize the scribes? What is Jesus pointing out about the widow’s contribution to the temple treasury of just two very small copper coins worth on a few cents?

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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