Joyful Blessings

Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. – Psalm 5:11

The post “Flourish in Blessings” explained a bright future for Israel because God was with them. Because of our acceptance of Christ, He is with us today and this changes momentum for our future.

We can share about this momentum shift with others so they can also receive the victory. Take inspiration from songs like Counting Every Blessing by Rend Collective. Value your blessings and keep them as mementos. Hold them in your thoughts, share them with others, and use them as stepping stones to an amazing place in the future.
 

 

Index of devotionals

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Flourish in Blessings

This day with God as we read Numbers 24, we seek ways to apply our faith and are thankful for every day in all that we receive. With technology today, we have available a wealth of knowledge that is useful now and for eternity. The Bible is all about gaining wisdom because we are learning from the past, praying in the present, and listening for instructions toward the future.

Today, we note that when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to exalt Israel, it closed the case and Balaam came right out with a blessing for Israel. The future for nations against Israel was bleak but the future for Israel was one in which they would flourish in blessings.

No one person or nation can stop God’s sovereign purpose. We live in an amazing world today with technology. With a smart phone, we can instantly get the temperature in New York, Dallas, London, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Tokyo, etc. We can text, talk, use skype, iPad/Tablet, write blogs, do Facebook or Twitter and no telling what in the future. Even with all this amazing technology that works at times and doesn’t at other times, it doesn’t come close to the dependability of God to fulfill His sovereign purpose.

With God, we flourish and by bringing others into a relationship with Him, there are many helpers to participate in bringing even more blessings and it is much more rewarding when others get to flourish in blessings too.

This day with You Lord, there is abundance when we plant the seeds of Your Word in our thoughts. The momentum for our future grows greater as we share this blessing with others. We value each victorious day and share with others our experiences as the seeds of Your Word eventually grow into the beautiful garden of our soul.  Amen.

 

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Truth and Grace

For more inspiration on being courageous … read the post below and be inspired by a video I produced with lyrics from the song “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns.

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

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

A take away from the post “The Future is in His Hands” is the need to be truthful when telling others what they don’t want to hear. We must speak the truth knowing that God holds the future in His hands.

To have strong faith, positive actions, and the determination to be steered by God’s principles, let us take inspiration from a video I developed from the song Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns.

Also, take inspiration from this acrostic my pastor gave us years ago in a sermon: we should have no fear because grace overcomes all things.

Grace stands for God’s gift to me
Received by faith
Anyone is eligible
Christ is…

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Be Set Free

Integrity doesn’t blow in the wind and vary to best meet desires. Either you have it or you don’t. Join in on the praise from the wonderful song “If We’re Honest” by Francesca Battistelli.

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

Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5.

The post “Building Integrity” points out that integrity doesn’t blow in the wind and vary to best meet our own desires. Integrity is there as a standard for us and it sets us free. Either we have it or we don’t. Our aim should be to become aware of mistakes, confess them, learn from them, and make the necessary adjustments so they do not happen again.

Like the song If We’re Honest by Francesca Battistelli points out, we build walls of doubt that we can’t get through but if we’re honest, there are things we can do. We can lay our doubt down at the cross and have faith in what we can…

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Harness the Power of the Holy Spirit

This day with God, harness the power of the Holy Spirit in all decisions. Use this power to make the right choices in all you do. Gain wisdom by learning from the past, praying in the present, and listening for instructions toward the future.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Life is short so set sail
On your destination
Going afar
With determination.

Always dreaming big
With affirmation
Toward aspirations
Using imagination.

Like the great power
Of the wind
The Holy Spirit gives
Power to ascend.

To think farther
Beyond the box
Coming up with
A new paradox.

Harnessing the power;
The constant, peaceful
Cool breeze that
That has no equal.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 05-28-2020
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Leviticus 21”
Photo – This photo was taken in the summer of 1986 while traveling in Europe with a high school buddy. We had both graduated from college and had some time available before we started our work careers.

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