Victorious Life

Inspired by Leviticus 3, this poem inspires us to accept God’s plan for a victorious life. When we do, there is peace and joy because there is confidence for an amazing future.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Skills that provide
A service to all
And a desire to
Fulfill our call.

Blessed with the unseen,
The eternal,
And supernatural,
We can be grateful.

Cultivating
Strengths with the desire
To serve others in love
And lift others higher.

Going the distance,
Victories increase
As we grow in joy
And find great peace.

Prepared for challenges,
Stepping ahead
Fulfilling our purpose
As the gospel is spread.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 01-23-2020
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Leviticus 3

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Press On and Finish Strong

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  – Hebrews 12:1

The post “Refreshment and Energy” gave some thoughts about the unique significance of Christ’s blood shed on the Cross.

Christ’s perfect sacrifice delivers refreshment and energy to serve God so let us accept this advantage, ask what we can do for Him in return, and get-up-and-go.

Life goes on so we need refreshment and energy to press on and finish strong. Receive this refreshment and energy today from the video Press On by Building 429. 
 

 

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Refreshment and Energy

How was the sanctuary laid out in the Old Testament times? What is the significance of the curtain dividing the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies? Why is Christ’s blood of unique significance?

Life is like a long distance run and along the way, we need refreshment and energy to finish strong. Reading today in Hebrews 9:1-14, we get that refreshment and energy needed to go the extra mile.

Discussed in today’s passage, are instructions for how the tabernacle was set up with different rooms. There is the Holy Place and behind the curtain was another room called the Most Holy Place. The priests regularly entered the outer room to carry on their ministry but only the high priest entered the inner room behind the curtain. They only entered once a year and entered with blood sacrifice to cleanse their sin.

With the new order, Christ became the High Priest and enters the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood. Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the Cross delivers refreshment and energy to deliver the victory for all who accept the love of Christ, start anew, ask what to do, and get-up-and-go to fulfill God’s Plan.

This day with You Lord, we are evaluating our place in this race of life. We accept Your love so that our past does not weigh us down but the hope to finish strong keeps our mind on what has already been done and that the battle has been won. We are carrying out Your plan for our life and will never give up. We are focused on what truly matters in life and give it our best effort in all we do. Amen

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Carried to a Place of Peace and Joy

The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. – Isaiah 58:11

We all face difficult days but as explained in the post “Desolation to Restoration”, things will fall into place because of God’s grace.

Like in the song Carry Me by Josh Wilson, go to God in prayer for help. Let Him carry you to a place of peace and joy. 
 

 

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Desolation to Restoration

This day with God, things will fall into place because of His grace. Because of the 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.

Reading today in Hebrews 8:7-13, explained are the reasons for God initiating the new covenant. The old covenant continues to exist but a better Way has been provided to accomplish the old covenant as Jesus restores humanity from a place of desolation to restoration.

The old covenant was inadequate for bringing salvation because the people were not faithful and it was difficult for them to follow so they sought other ways. God overcomes this difficulty faced in humanity by providing someone to follow. He provided His Son as an example to follow. This new covenant results in salvation to all who accept Jesus Christ so the Holy Spirit can help lead along the journey of life.

The new covenant is fueled by the power of God’s grace. It is not in the following of laws but desiring the law so that it is ingrained inside and pleases the soul. People then automatically do as God pleases because the new Way becomes a part of who they are.

The baggage from the past that weighs one down is released so the impediments, barriers, and obstacles no longer have the same effect. Through prayer, there is power for these obstacles to be set aside because a person is not doing it on their own but has a team behind them.

So give praise today. Seek to be uplifted by memories, by what the future might bring, and by our victory in Jesus. Be excited each day. Many times we think that exciting things in life are far away and we have to spend money for vacations far away to see beautiful things but in reality, exciting things may be right in your back yard. A sunset, a sunrise, wildlife, or birds in the sky.

A golden sunset that pierces through and colors the clouds may give an inspiring lift after a difficult day. The picture below of a sunset was taken only about three miles from my house at Woodway Park in Waco Texas. It’s the first time I’ve been to the park. There may be hidden treasures near you today that you can seek and get excited about.

Lord, You are with us always as we face challenges each day. You are unlimited and a part of this unrestrained ability is in everyone who has accepted Jesus Christ. With Christ, we can endure distress because we know You will bless. We can grow, change, share, and rearrange as you pick up the slack. We increase the pace along the journey because of the powerful fuel for our bodies that we take in called grace. Amen.

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