Unlimited Power Together

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Mark Shields

The men who oppose Paul as described in 2 Corinthians 10:7-18 are judgmental and have a boastful attitude thinking they have more authority than Paul. In defense, Paul explains that it is Christ who has authority and everyone else is at the same level. There are no echelons of authority within the church. Each person has a role to play according to their God given strengths for the benefit of all.

Our words and actions need to match up. A person who makes demands or judges others and then does not have the same standard for themselves is considered a hypocrite. A person should not come across as one simply who knows how it should be done but as a person who shows how it should be done.

No one is the boss except Christ. Everyone is at the same level. As believers in Christ, there is power to win our battles. Our faith will make us stronger and when others see what faith can do, they will be encouraged to join in on the fight.

We should build each other up and not tear each other down. In Christ, we are on the same team. Our enemy is Satan and we need to each search for our individual strengths for the benefit of the whole. Together, we combine these strengths to win our battles.

Our individual strengths are not in being like everyone else but in being who we are; a precious child of God. He is with us and His Spirit abides in us. Because of this fact, we have unlimited potential because He has unlimited potential. It is up to us to realize how God can use us as an individual for His Glory.

This day with You Lord, help us know our plan for life. What individual strengths we have. The spark we provide to the bring light to the world around us. Help us to have unity of spirit so that we may complete the mission given to us as Your people.  Amen

 

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Just a Click Away is the Rescue

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Mark Shields

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. – Colossians 2:8

Shared in the post “Spiritual Weapons” was an idea in how weapons like faith, hope and love can be used to overcome the enemy. The war we fight is a spiritual war and the weapons we use are spiritual weapons like faith, hope, and love. With these weapons, every negative thought from the enemy is taken captive.

Step Ahead of hate, iniquity, and other corrupting influences in your life that keep you down; instead desire the authenticity, sincerity and certainty that God provides. Use technology to make a positive impact on your life. Just a click away are scriptures, sermons, Christian blogs, and uplifting music. Available from any place or any time just by using your phone.

You are not defenseless because God will send out an army of angels to rescue you. These angels will offer you the weapons of faith, hope, and love. Just a click away is the uplifting song Rescue by Laren Daigle to rescue you today from the negatives of this world. 


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Spiritual Weapons

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Mark Shields

Paul addresses the people in 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 which includes false teachers who believed more in the power of worldly methods and practices rather than spiritual power from God. The war Paul is fighting is a spiritual war and the weapons were spiritual in nature. Rather than the weapons of physical wars like horse and chariot, Paul’s weapons included spiritual weapons like faith, hope, and love.

The enemy is Satan who uses negative thoughts of this world like unbelief, despair, and hate as weapons. Our purpose as followers of Christ are to make sure these negatives are replaced with the positives from the Lord.  In so doing, more are ready to be brought to Christ and the enemy no longer has control over them.

This day with You Lord, we have a life transforming relationship with You. The things of this world do not control us. On a journey from here to there, you will take our personal strengths and turn them into more than we can imagine. This day, our prayer is to share. Initiate in our heart the desire to write words that give hope in a time of despair, courage in a time of doubt, and love in a time of hate. Amen.

 

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Cheerful Giver

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Mark Shields

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7

As highlighted in the post “Give with Enthusiasm and Thanksgiving”, God initiates in our heart the eagerness and enthusiasm toward giving. The gift of Christ inspires in us the desire to give as a thanksgiving for what we have been given.

Take inspiration from the song When Love Sees You (Jesus) – Mac Powell. Be Christ like and bless others. Tell your story and others will see Christ in you. You will be blessed and others will be blessed because of you. 


Index of devotionals

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Give with Enthusiasm and Thanksgiving

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Mark Shields

The principles in 2 Corinthians 9 include giving from the heart, being a cheerful giver, and expecting to be abundantly blessed by God. It all starts by being focused on the needs of others and being faithful to fulfilling commitments.

We should give with enthusiasm and thanksgiving. Let God initiate in our heart the eagerness and enthusiasm toward giving. Let the gift of Christ inspire in us the desire to give as a thanksgiving to God.

We reap what we sow therefore if we sow generously, we will reap generously (v. 6) so give from the heart and be a cheerful giver (v. 7). Then God will bless abundantly (v. 8). 

Lord, this day we believe that investing in people’s needs provides for a bountiful harvest. Help us to see these needs today and initiate in our heart the desire to plant seeds generously. Help us to see the opportunities to express our gratitude for what you have blessed us with. Help us to examine our priorities, to enlarge our expectations, and do great things for You. Amen.

 

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