Following the Lord’s Prompting

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Mark Shields

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? – Proverbs 20:24

Brought out in the post “Guided by His Word”, the Lord wanted the Israelites to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt with a Passover meal. He gave instructions on this celebration.

Also, as they were traveling through the desert going to the Promised Land, the Lord would command when to encamp and then at his command when to set out.

As we journey through life, the same is true for us as we listen to the Lord in our prayer and follow the Lord’s prompting. Here is a song to inspire us as we continue our walk along the path: I will Follow by Maranatha Singers. 

Index of devotionals

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Guided By His Word

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Mark Shields

Things fall into place because of the Lord’s grace. Because of our Savior, there is a change in behavior; following where He leads and doing good deeds; accepting the truth and teaching our youth; learning His ways and giving Him praise.

The Lord wants what is best for us. Just as the Israelites were freed from slavery out of Egypt, we are freed from slavery out of sin. Reading today in Numbers 9, the Lord gives Moses instruction in celebration of Passover. Also explained is how the Israelites were guided out of Egypt into the Promised Land as a cloud above the tent of the covenant law told them when to encamp and when to set out. When the cloud lifted, they would set out but when it was settled, they encamped.

The Lord guides us today with the spoken word and the Spirit. Today, we are given lessons from the Bible that sink into the heart along with experiences of life and prayer to lead us on the path to victory. We are protected from harm and instructions are given so that the path before us is cleared of obstacles as we follow God’s plan for us.

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 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.

This day with You Lord, we are confident that You will guide us on the path. The lessons we learn and the resources You provide will help us meet adversity and lead us to where we need to be. We have confidence in the divine destiny You have for us. The path you provide has been proven over and over throughout history to take us to where we need to go. Amen.

 

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Together as One

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Mark Shields

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. – Romans 12:5

A take away from the post “All People Working Together“ is that all age groups are needed in any church or organization. The wisdom of the experienced and the energy of the young are needed because each can do what they do best to contribute to God’s plan.

Much like how a musician plays their instrument and the composer puts together the music, life is about working together to bring glory to God. Take inspiration from the video Symphony by Switch (feat. Dillon Chase). 

Index of devotionals

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All People Working Together

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Mark Shields

This day with God, let us take in His Word found in Numbers 8 and determine how to apply it in our life. In verses 5-19, God sets apart the Levites so they could assist the priests in their ministry. The young Levites age 25 to 50 were needed for the physical demands of moving the tent of meeting and its articles through the wilderness. The Levites older than 50 helped with the lighter duties but also gave advice and counsel.

The take away today is the need for all of God’s people working together. All age groups are needed in any community, church, or group. The wisdom of the experienced and the energy of the young are needed. Each can do what they do best and fit into God’s plan for us.

Working together, we build a chemistry and we feed off the talents of each other. We are stronger together and the church is the place to grow in faith, fellowship, and unity. The picture below is a worship service a while back at First United Methodist Church Waco Texas. I took this picture while working with the media team.

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.

This day with You Lord, we are stronger together. We feed off the talents of each other. That is Your plan for the church so we grow in faith, fellowship, and unity. As we walk by faith together throughout life, we learn how best to follow Your way and pass it on to those who carry it out in the future

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Numbers 8-13

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, we’ve shared some thoughts and ideas from the journey through the book of Numbers.

We concluded in the post “Organized for Victory” that organization is important to God because it takes His people working together to carry out His plan for us.

The post “Our Duty and Responsibility” pointed out the responsibilities of Moses, Aaron, and his sons. We can all learn from them as we discover our place or function in God’s work.

Things in life can shake us up but God is there to keep us steady. The post “Detailed Instructions” explained the extreme attention given to the Tent of Meeting and its contents to honor God and receive His unlimited steady power to step ahead.

As pointed out in the post “Truth is Our Boarding Pass to Paradise”, God’s presence and defilement can’t co-exist. The nature of God is wisdom, peacefulness, and wholesomeness. He wants to make wrongs right and faith in Christ makes a way for that to happen.

We learned more about the Nazarene vow in the post “Act of Devotion”. Some instructions of this vow included not drinking alcohol or cutting one’s hair. Samson is one that took this vow which inspires disciplined focus on God rather than on worldly pleasures.

Then within the post “Worship and Offering”, the point was made that growing in faith requires discipline just like physical exercise as we build up our faith muscles with God’s principles.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable to sharing about God’s word. As I share about my study over the next few posts, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with God amazing!

Questions for Reflection

Numbers 8
What does God do in verses 5-19? Is one age group more important than the other? In what ways are both age groups needed here? In what ways are different age groups needed with your church or small group?

Numbers 9
What particular words or phrases are repeated in this chapter? What does this reveal about God and His concern for these people? How does God guide his people here? How does He guide you?

Numbers 10
How are trumpets to be used? How do the Israelites know where to go? What does God give to them for direction? To what extent are you willing to trust God when you can’t see ahead?

Numbers 11
What are the complaints and questions from the Israelites? Is there a group you can think of that is full of pessimism? What is done about each complaint or question?

Numbers 12
How do you define meek? How does this definition apply to Moses? In what ways is Moses’ relationship with God unique? What do Miriam and Aaron learn about God in this chapter?

Numbers 13
For what are the spies to look as they go into Canaan? With what report do they return? What have the ten spies forgotten about the power of God?

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 or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God. 

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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