Higher Standard

In Micah 6, the controversy is that the people had removed God’s standards from their life. They didn’t worship the ONE true God but worshiped idols and were separated from His life changing power.

God desires that we act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with Him (v. 8). The central cause of Israel’s separation from God is that they had poor leadership from kings who worshiped idols. The kings were deceitful, dishonest, and their relationship with God was not right.

Because of poor leadership, there was a lot of lying, cheating, and stealing in society. The kings were given so many opportunities to turn to God but instead thought the ways of this world had more benefit to them. God felt it was time to shake things up.

If you think about it, much of our life in present times is also directed by the low standards of this world rather than God’s higher standard. Success is defined by lofty incomes, nice cars, or an expensive house rather than the vast spiritual assets of faith, hope, and love!

This day with You Lord, we know that You speak to us in various ways. Through visions, dreams, and the beauty of Your Creation but most of all through Your Word. We humbly come before You now and admit wrong choices of the past. Sometimes we view success by the standards of the world with lofty incomes, nice cars, houses, and other materialistic resources. We neglect to realize that the vast spiritual resources You offer are more valuable and last longer. We now understand how You’ve taken care of our yesterdays and our tomorrows through the Higher Standard in Your Son Jesus Christ so we can concentrate more on today. Amen.

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Living Out Life with Courage

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious hand. – Isaiah 41:10

The post “Something to Cheer About” encourages us to live out our faith with courage. Even though we face troublesome circumstances along the voyage of life. Even though we have some disappointments, there is always something to cheer about because the victory is ours in Christ.

Today’s song is about something we can all cheer about. Take encouragement from the song Something in the Water by Carrie Underwood  and know that you are blessed because of this promised ruler from Bethlehem that Micah sees for the future. The Good News is that the future is now so let’s dream big and pursue these dreams with confidence and courage. 
 

 

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Something to Cheer About

Within Micah 5, prophesized is the place where Christ was born seven hundred years before His birth. He is the promised king to lead towards victory with power from up high. The King of kings who cares for His people giving security and peace.

This passage prophesies a future when people will put their trust in a leader who brings strength and victory with Devine intervention. They will take more risk and step out in new and adventurous ways.

The people will power up with the Spirit of Christ. This indwelling Holy Spirit will give the people what is needed for a life with a courageous vision and confidence in this power being big enough to make happen what once was thought to be impossible.

The Good News for us today is that this power is available to us. We can be confident about our current circumstances and our future. So this day with God, let us put our confidence in Christ for He is in control of all things.

Let us courageously live out our faith to overcome doubts, fears, and despair. In the midst of troublesome circumstances, there is something to cheer about for in the end there is victory in Christ.

The memory in the photo below was captured at a Carrie Underwood concert. She’s singing on a stage that moves over the crowd. It took confidence to make that happen. Confidence in engineers and a production crew. As we embark on our voyage for the future, let us trust in our crew members and know that a greater power is steering our ship.

Carrie Underwood Concert 04-27-2013

This day with You Lord, we seek to be your trusted crew member. You are the captain along our voyage. You are the anchor for our soul and we trust that You are with us through the storms of life. Amen.

 

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In God We Trust

This poem was inspired from 2 Corinthians 8:16-24. Paul demonstrates integrity by having standards of honesty in giving a complete account of the use of money. He chose certain people to administer the church fund and also set up a system of accountability. Too bad we don’t have the same attention to honesty and accountability in our world leaders. I hope this poem highlights the importance of integrity in leaders around the world.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Many national governments around the world are in debt. National leaders need to be held to account in how they handle the people’s money. This picture was taken by my daughter when she went on a school trip to Washington D.C. in 2012.

Offering a standard
Of honesty,
Answerability,
And integrity.

The Word of God
Sets us free to be
All that He wants
Out of you and me.

A system of
Accountability
In order to avoid
Instability.

Accusations
Of mismanagement
Are dealt with for
Public advancement.

Leaders are then trusted
With good judgment
To put things in order
And handle the budget.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 05-30-2019

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Steps Toward The Lord

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

The post “Step Ahead Higher and Higher” makes some points about the passage. Micah describes a future when the world has it all together. The populace has discovered the way of God and they follow the path. A time when people help each other and nations live in peace.

The principles taught by Christ will lead us to a future described in this passage. To inspire towards this end, here’s a song called Come Let Us Return to the Lord by Matt Redman. 
 

 

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