Sorting Out Priorities and Planning

This day with God will be amazing because peace comes through realigning priorities; through having good thoughts, through working together as one in Christ, and through connecting all the dots along the path.

Reading today in Mark 1:21-39, we continue to connect the dots as we note that Jesus and His first disciples went to Capernaum. On the Sabbath, they went into the synagogue where Jesus taught with authority and drove out an impure spirit from a man.

Jesus began to create a stir with the miracles He performed. The people were amazed and the news spread quickly. After leaving the synagogue, he heals many who had various diseases and drove out many demons.

The pressure on Jesus began to mount as more people came to Him for healing. Before sunrise the next day, He went to a solitary place, where He prayed (v. 35). He meets each crisis with a “quiet time” to sort out priorities and plan out His moves. He stays on the move by going to the nearby villages throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons (v. 39).

Noted is that Christ rose early before the day began to ask for guidance, sort out priorities, and plan the day. This is something we should do too so our thoughts are clear and we start each day with adjusted priorities for the sake of the ultimate mission.

When we pray and develop a game plan each day with God, there is confidence because we know that we will do the right things that will lead to success. Jesus has paved the way to a clear path so we can constantly go for advice or insight and listen for guidance. It’s going to be a great day because God has given us the resources needed to step ahead with confidence along the path.

Lord, Your Word is flawless and as we read each day and have a time of prayer, we have confidence because we trust Your Word. We are growing in faith and the principles taught by Christ will help us meet adversity, put things into perspective, and lead us along the path to where we need to be.

Posted in Accurate Thinking, Bible Study | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Worship 08-16-2020

Get a great start to your Sunday and for the week with inspiring music and a great message! Today’s message is about Jesus explaining a parable in Matthew 15 and what is needed to be a disciple. The message can be seen at this Link or by clicking the arrow on the video below.



Some things change but other things remain the same. How do we respond to a broken world? Let us look at how Jesus responded. Let us accept Jesus as Savior, be a follower, know the Word, connect with a group of followers, and share with others.

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.

 

Posted in Faith, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Amazing Happens with Faith

This day with God, an amazing story that inspired lyrics to a top song.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

What is greatness and how does it happen?  Especially when there are difficulties we face daily … a family member is sick, a rough day at work, trying to balance work, home, and school work. When we face these difficult days but still have faith, that’s when the amazing happens.

One of these miracles inspired lyrics to the great song by Alabama “Angels Among Us”. The song was written by Becky Hobbs and Don Goodman. Hobbs survived a car accident after she felt her guardian angel had been looking after her. She had been getting premonitions leading up to the morning of her birthday on January 24, 1986 when the songwriter had another premonition.

 “A force took a hold of my arm and took me out into my front yard,“ she recalls. “I looked up at the January sky and asked, ‘What? What is it that you’re trying to tell…

View original post 132 more words

Posted in Faith, Miracles | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Take Action on the Lord’s Call

My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend your ear to my understanding, that you may preserve discretion, and your lips may keep knowledge. – Proverbs 5:1-2

A take away from the post “The Decision to Follow” was how Jesus related His ministry to the occupation or interests of the first disciples. In the same way, we can relate with others by understanding their interest so they might pay attention and take action on the Lord’s call for them.

Worship Him today with the song Way Maker by Leeland. Jesus is the way maker, the promise keeper, the miracle maker, and the Light in the darkness. That’s who Jesus is and He’s here among us. 
 

 

Index of devotionals

Posted in Focus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Decision to Follow

This day with God, let us focus on the Word found in Mark 1:14-20 as Jesus announces the Good News and appoints His first disciples. Jesus began preaching after John the Baptist was put in prison. The heart of His message was proclaiming the Good News of God concerning repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus calls His first disciples as He walked beside the Sea of Galilee. He saw Simon and his brother Andrew who were fishermen. Jesus asked them to follow Him so they could fish for people and they made the decision to follow. Then a little farther, He saw James and his brother John in a boat so He called them to follow. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Jesus.

Noticed within this passage is the occupation or trade of His first disciples. They were fishermen and Jesus was able to relate His ministry to their occupation. This helped the first disciples to understand the call of Jesus, pay closer attention, and take action. In the same way, we can help relate what people are interested in or what they do for a living with biblical principles.

Much of our life is directed by the low standards of this world rather than God’s higher standard. Success is defined by lofty incomes, nice cars, or an expensive house instead of vast spiritual assets like faith, hope, and love!

We can use software like excel and word to organize and retrieve spiritual assets to share with others by observing, listening to others, through music, art, nature, or even movies. Collect these spiritual assets to build up over time becoming faith muscles that never decline over time but only get stronger and stronger.

Our journey began with a decision to follow Jesus just like the first disciples in today’s passage. This day with You Lord will be amazing because our attention is undivided and thankful for the path provided. It’s a wonderful time to give praise for all the ways You have guided. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Focus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment