Final Victory

Thanksgiving is a time for family, lots of food, and football games. Our favorite teams don’t always win but being a part of God’s team always brings the final victory. All winning teams have a game plan. Let us be thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this Thanksgiving weekend with Him amazing!

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Thanksgiving is a time
For family and food
And an attitude
Of gratitude.

Football games are viewed
And our favorite teams
May not always win
But one team does it seems.

So be grateful
For this mystery
And how our Lord
Brings final victory.

Free from the demands
Of the written code
Because of the Cross
A new Way is showed.

Accepting this new Way
That God has provided
Doing the amazing
By being united.

By Mark Shields – © 11-23-2017
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Building a Life to Reach High Standards

Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6

God has high standards for our life. Throughout history, only one person met the standard and because of that one person, there is A Plan for Us. Within the post “Love from Above”, a few ideas included to have more concern for our communities and have more desire to live honorably by keeping our eyes lifted up high looking up to God for direction. Standing tall against those who oppose the Truth.

Other ideas presented were to teach our children well, be concerned for their future, and be good examples or role models for them. Today’s video Build My Life by Pat Barrett inspires these same ideas for high standards by following the Way and building a life upon the firm foundation of Christ. 


Index of devotionals

 

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Love from Above

In previous chapters, the penalties for sin included being cut off from God, from society, and even death. There was punishment for sins like murder, idolatry, and adultery. This day with God, let us take in the discipline from His Word found in Leviticus 20 and get connected to His love from above.

Many offenses during the time of Moses were punishable by death as God’s law restrained people from sin. The law forced those within a society to make the right choices and if they did not, there were penalties; even death. Today, society places penalties on individuals but they are not as harsh. Instead, societies believe being nice and trying to reform individuals is the way to go but is this at the detriment of the innocent?

Today, God still expects perfection and has given A Plan for Us.  Just as God’s people during the time of Moses received an inheritance, today followers of Jesus are also set apart. They may not receive land flowing with milk and honey but do receive other advantageous resources.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ reforms the human heart so that there is more concern for the community and people desire to live honorably. They keep their eyes open and look up to God for direction. They stand tall against those who oppose the Truth. They teach their children well, are concerned for their future, and are good examples or role models for them.

The photo above was taken while at a wedding rehearsal dinner for my niece a few years ago. It’s a picture of a downtown Dallas sky scrapper. Just as a sky scrapper is built on a firm foundation and on hard work, our lives need to be built in the same way.

Day by day, little things become big things and lead to amazing things with God’s help. Take a look at your daily routine. Are there little things that you could tweak or fine-tune? Do you have written goals with daily tasks? Do you pray daily for ideas and the help to achieve them for God’s glory?

This day with You Lord, we believe this day will be amazing because we are connected to Your love from above. We are committed to following the way of Jesus and have the resources You provide including the Holy Spirit to direct our steps. Your Word gives us the design for living so we build our lives to reach Your high standards. Amen

 

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Be Wise and Organize

Inspired by 1 Timothy 5:11 through 6:2 as Paul gives Timothy some advice on leading a church, this poem highlights the need to work as a team in order to succeed.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Any leader
If they are wise
Should prioritize
And organize.

Accountability
Is the way to go
To function properly
And make things flow.

All team members
Should do their part
To offer ideas
In how to work smart.

For when all do,
The team will succeed
Getting to a high point
At a great rate of speed.

As the team thrives,
The Sprit is set aflame
So all have a chance
To do the same.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 10-31-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – 1 Timothy 5:17 through 6:2

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Leviticus 21 – 25

Over the next few weeks, we will continue to be focused on the purpose of this blog as we continue to use it in helping us to apply His Word in our life.  I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are keeping me accountable to daily Bible reading and study.

We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. Questions for Reflection will stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles at work, at home, and in all we do.

Here is a link to all the devotionals done so far

Index of devotionals

Anyone can join in as we journey together.

Also, the concepts presented in God’s Perfect Timing offer ideas for using our time wisely and the lessons of God’s Plan for Us gives a method towards making an impact in the world in which we live.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable to sharing about God’s word. As I share about my study of the book of Leviticus over the next few weeks, 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 amazing!

Questions for Reflection

Leviticus 21
In what ways are the laws of purity for priests stricter than for the congregation? When do your daily activities conflict with what God demands of you to be holy? How do you resolve the conflict? Why? What physical characteristics disqualify Aaron’s descendants for serving at the altar? Why, do you think?

Leviticus 22
What types of uncleanness (Chapters 11-15) disqualify a normally qualified priest for serving at the altar? What types of thoughts and actions prevent you from coming into God’s presence? How can you be clean?

Leviticus 23
What offerings and activities are involved in the annual feasts observed by the Israelites? What attitudes toward God underlie the feast celebrations? In what ways do you remember and celebrate God’s care for you?

Leviticus 24
What are the daily rituals of Aaron? What is the sin of Shelomith’s son? What do you learn about God’s justice from the general law he gives in verses 18-21?

Leviticus 25
What are the attitudes which the Israelites are to show toward their neighbor? What should be your attitude toward your personal property? The poor? What are the concepts of rest, liberty, and redemption? In what ways do these concepts relate to the Sabbath? To the jubilee years?

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.  <https://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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