The Best News Ever

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

We live in the information age but as explained in the post “The Great Physician” some information is negative and some is positive. That’s why taking in the positive information from God’s Word is so important for a healthy mind, body, and soul.

Fortunately, there is Good News for you today because as the song Best News Ever by MercyMe points out, the work has already been done. Celebrate today the victory … the best news ever!

 

 
Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Physical and Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Great Physician

Our soul is in a constant battle with negative thoughts and attitudes of this world but the Word of God penetrates our soul like a surgical knife to cut out the bad to allow the good to flourish.

The human mind is amazing but with multi-media nowadays, we can get overloaded with false, misleading, and just too much negative information. Just like too much junk food for our physical body, our mental/spiritual well-being depends on feeding our minds positive information. That is why I like Christian music, Bible study, and inspirational writings.

Today, let us take in the positive information of Hebrews 4:1-13. Let us respond with the Good News by receiving rest for the soul. Allow enough time for the Word to soak into the heart and soul so there is peace instead of fear or worry. The Word of God feeds the soul so the intangibles of faith can begin to overflow into tangible acts that benefit those around us.

Enter God’s rest with a daily devotional time, prayer time, and planning time with the aim to follow the Way each day. The Word of God is absolute truth that is flawless, powerful, and coaches us toward holiness. On Sundays, celebrate the day with rest and with worship. Show appreciation to God for all He has done for us. Slow down and enjoy the day so the soul is soaked in the purifying qualities of the Good News.

We can’t fool God about our attitude toward Him because He sees everything we do and knows about everything we have done. Fortunately, we have someone who has been tempted just like we have been and can intercede for us to pick us up after our earthly downfalls. Because of grace, we can confidently ask for help when we are down.

This day with You Lord, we are allowing Your Word to flow from our eyes and ears into our heart. We are planting the seeds of Your principles into our soul, adding the clear water of the Spirit, and letting theses seeds grow into fruit for ourselves and our friends. This will provide positive food for our soul so that an overflow results with acts of kindness, compassion, and encouragement to others. We are steadily flourishing like a constantly watered garden. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Physical and Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Higher Ground

This poem is inspired from 2 Timothy 3. Just like Timothy rekindled passion and enthusiasm for the gospel message around the world, we should strive to do the same. The purpose for studying the Bible is to give the resources needed to conquer life’s battles and have faith that God is with us to help take on these challenges.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

The photo below is of Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay while on road tour around the lake. Like Lake Tahoe stores up water, we can store up God’s advice for life.

Like Lake Tahoe
Stores up water,
We can store up
Advice from the Author.

From God’s Plan for us
By reading, studying,
Memorizing,
And applying.

By documenting
Principles learned
With examples
And corners turned.

That help to visualize,
Like sermon points,
Or music that inspires
And the Spirit anoints.

Storing up ideas
Like a reservoir
To be used at a time
Or place from afar.

Around the world
Rekindling passion
so the gospel message
Is back in fashion.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-26-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – 2 Timothy 3”

View original post

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eyes on the Lord

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. – Psalm 16:8

The post “Impacting Lives” brought out the thought that we need to focus in on what really matters. One thing for sure is that we need to pay attentions to the Spirit’s prompting.

By starting each day with a devotional time and prayer, we are then ready to plan out our day together with the Lord and ready to play our part in sharing with others the benefits of following the Way to a successful day.

We can encourage others today and celebrate with them like today’s song I Saw God Today by George Strait  the birth of a child or grandchild, a birthday, a graduation, or retirement.  This day with God, keep focused on what really matters most which is to reveal His glory. 
 

 

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Focus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Impacting Lives

Pay attention to the world and disorder will expand to fill the void of human failure. Pay attention to God and order will fill the void with greatness. That’s why we daily turn to God’s Word for instruction, encouragement, true joy, and peace.

As we read Hebrews 3:7-19, let us remember the history of the children of Israel in Numbers 14 as they escaped Egypt and were in the wilderness. They were tired, hungry, and agitated. They were ready to give up but Moses and Aaron tried to encourage them to keep going and find rest by making it to the Promised Land. To make it to the Land flowing with milk and honey.

The people had turned away from God. Turned away from the joy and peace that God offers and their hearts were hardened. They were being tricked by sins deceitfulness and were not accepting the instruction given in His Word.

Things are not that much different today as we live in a world surrounded by the wasteland of information overload. If we are not careful, we get lost and we miss out on what we need to know. One thing’s for sure, paying attention to the Holy Spirit is vital in getting the information we need.

To prevent hardness of heart, we should have a daily devotional time, prayer time, and planning time as we set out to follow the Way each day. Allow enough time for the Word to soak into the heart and soul so the intangibles of faith can begin to overflow into tangible acts of kindness in the activities of our day.

Plan to play a part in providing the benefits of Christ in the lives of others by seeking ways to build others up and encourage them for their future. . Looking for opportunities to spur on a spouse, a child, or a colleague is never a wasted activity but impacts lives in ways only God knows. If we begin our day with this frame of mind, we will have taken the first step for a successful day.

This day with You Lord will be amazing because we have started this day with a devotional time and now are praying for Your help Lord as we plan out our day. We seek ways to encourage others today with the gospel message. To help them see You at work today by pointing out the beauty of the sunrise today or the evening sunset. By being a part of their day as they celebrate the birth of a child or grandchild, a birthday, a graduation, or retirement.  Keep us focused on what really matters most which is to reveal Your glory. Amen!

Posted in Bible Study, Focus | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment