Negative Influences

If our thinking starts going in the wrong direction, we can lose our edge for a great day. Instead, we should think of what good things are going our way and this will build momentum so that we stay on track. This day with God, we will continue to build momentum along the journey as we read Numbers 31.

God was on the side of the Israelites and sanctioned a war to rid them of the negative influences of the Midianites. This was to avenge the Midianites because of the events of the past when the men had been enticed by Midianite women to go along with their idol worship. It was to be total vengeance and victory leaving no survivors.

In our life, we need to continually rid ourselves of the negative influences including thoughts and actions that hold us back. These negative influences need to be dealt with promptly and completely. God’s on our side today to deal with these negatives that try to confine our progress.

These negative influences build up on the inside to create fear, frustration, and anxiety. If we can replace those negatives with positives, then we can flourish. The picture below was a shot taken while going up Mt. Haleakala on the island of Maui. It’s a dormant volcano now but when it was active, the lava from volcanic eruptions formed more than 75% of the island.

Deep inside the earth, there is all this built up energy that is released through volcanos. All the Hawaiian Islands were formed from the lava of volcanos. Like the paradise of the Hawaiian Islands, God can turn our intense difficulties into something positive and His power can cause simplicities to emerge. 

This day with You Lord, help us to alleviate the negative influences that drag us down so we can be all You want us to be. We ask for Your power to turn our intense difficulties into simplicities. You have given us Jesus to follow, the Word as a map, and the Spirit to guide. We believe we will be blessed with a great day because You are with us. Amen.

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Freedom Is Found When We Lay Our Secrets Down

This day with God, read more about the importance of meeting obligations in today’s devotional and be inspired by a video of the song “If We’re Honest by Francesca Battistelli”.

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

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

From the post “Obligations”, we learned that a person’s word was as binding as a signature in Old Testament times. Not meeting obligations meant a broken trust and a broken relationship.

Fortunately, God loved the world so much that He gave His Son so that all who believe in Him have a remedy. Like the song If We’re Honest by Francesca Battistelli, freedom is found when we lay our secrets down.

This day with God, let us lay dishonesty down at the cross because it only divides but accept the Son so mercy is on our side. 
 

 

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Offerings of Praise

This day with God, make offerings of praise and be inspired by a video of the song “Wonder by Hillsong United”.

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

Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. – Psalm 33:3

As pointed out in the post “Special Days”, offerings to God involved a lot of preparation but now we can make offerings to God by enthusiastically living with a purpose, worshiping with eagerness, and being interested in sharing with others.

Let us offer our praises today with the song Wonder by Hillsong United and enthusiastically share the wonder of God’s world bursting in living color.
 

 

Index of devotionals

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Attitude of Generosity

Why get caught up in materialism because everything belongs to God anyway. Instead be a good steward and give a part of what He has blessed you with to help others. Here is a link to a post with more thoughts or ideas on generosity.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

This day will be amazing
Because of what we are blessed with
And as we spend time now
Being a wordsmith.

Following the way
Which God’s word imparts
To change the world
With golden hearts.

With generosity,
We take the lead
To set some aside
For those in need.

Service to others
For a good cause
Requires sacrifice
Without applause.

But we do it anyway
For a world in need
To make a difference
Stepping ahead with speed.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 06-25-2020
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Leviticus 25
Photo – Feed My Starving Children Event at church hand-packing meals for starving children around the world

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Freedom Is Found When We Lay Our Secrets Down

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

From the post “Obligations”, we learned that a person’s word was as binding as a signature in Old Testament times. Not meeting obligations meant a broken trust and a broken relationship.

Fortunately, God loved the world so much that He gave His Son so that all who believe in Him have a remedy. Like the song If We’re Honest by Francesca Battistelli, freedom is found when we lay our secrets down.

This day with God, let us lay dishonesty down at the cross because it only divides but accept the Son so mercy is on our side. 
 

 

Index of devotionals

 

Posted in Devotionals, Integrity | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment