Fill Me with Holiness

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Mark Shields

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? – 1 Corinthians 3:16 

A thought from the post “Clean Food for the Soul” is that the dietary rules pointed out in Leviticus 11 are a test of obedience. We should eat to live rather than live to eat. These rules could also apply to the food we take in for our souls including what we read, watch, or think about.

Take inspiration from today’s uplifting song Empty Me by Jeremy Camp providing the below thought to apply in life:

I desire less of me
And more of Jesus.
Empty me,
Then fill me
With Holiness;
Less of this world
And more of Jesus! 


Index of devotionals

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

Clean Food for the Soul

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Mark Shields

This day with God, we are reading in Leviticus 11. The focus today is on obedience toward taking care of our physical and spiritual bodies. We are God’s temple and should plant the seeds of God’s principles into our soul.  Then add the clear water of the Spirit so these seeds grow into fruit for ourselves and our friends.

The general dietary standards pointed out in today’s passage include eating animals on land that have a divided hoof and that chew the cud (v. 3). For creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams, we are to eat only those that have fins and scales (v. 9).

The positive imperative from this passage is to maintain standards that keep you close to the Lord and His Word for better physical and spiritual health. The Lord knows what is best for our physical bodies. Dietary rules are for our health because eating certain birds or animals could be unclean because they may carry diseases.

In the same way that our physical bodies need food that is clean, we also need food for our soul that is clean and healthy. There is a saying in the computer field “garbage in – garbage out”.  We must work at emptying ourselves from garbage like selfishness, being overly prideful, and ambition purely for self-gain. Before we can be filled by the Holy Spirit, these negative emotions need to be emptied out so they can be replaced with God’s holiness.

Image Source

This day with You Lord, help us in obedience to Your Word so we take in what is good for our physical and spiritual body. You have wonderfully made us and want what is good for us. You know what will benefit us more than we do. The dietary rules in today’s passage test our obedience so we take in what is good for us including what we eat, read, watch, or think about. Amen.

 

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

Powerful Words

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Mark Shields

We get some powerful words of guidance from 1 Timothy 2:8-15. This poem highlights that the most powerful words to hear are “I Am a Child of God”.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

The picture below was taken a few years ago at the Sadie Robertson Live Original in San Antonio. The picture is of the Christian band “Love & the Outcome”.

Words are powerful
They direct our life
Either building up
Or cutting like a knife.

Encouragement,
Guidance and instruction
Following the Way
In His direction.

Words of life, of truth,
And of great value
Spurring us on
With I love you.

A child of God
Is the Word to hear
Giving a lift
Taking away fear.

Encouraged today
Living with passion
Over and above
What we could imagine.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 09-26-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – 1 Timothy 2:8-15”

View original post

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

Questions for Reflection for Study of Leviticus 11 – 15

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Mark Shields

I would like take this time to thank all of you my readers. This blog started from a life transformation group several years ago with just a few followers and now has grown to over 1,700 followers. 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 11
What is the general rule for animals and birds allowed for food? What are the reasons for these dietary rules? What is the positive imperative for this passage? Is this imperative still in force today?

Leviticus 12
What are specific rules of hygiene embodied in these instructions? What is the meaning of circumcision (See Gen. 17:9-14)? What observation does this section offer to the assertion that “my private life is my own concern only?

Leviticus 13
What are the hygienic rules of this passage? Who is the examiner? What is the plight of the leper (contrast with 10:6)?

Leviticus 14
What is similar to the ritual described in this passage to the one in chapter 8 of the installation of the priests? What is the significance of the similarity? Are any obligations laid on you as a forgiven sinner?

Leviticus 15
Why is atonement necessary? In what way would the unclean man and woman defile God’s tabernacle? What does this passage reveal about God’s standards for purity?

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.

 

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Questions for Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Things Fall in Place Because of Grace

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Mark Shields

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has made me free from the law of sin and death. – Romans 8:2

The last post “Discern the Best Way”, pointed out how disrespecting God can be hazardous as in the case of the sons of Aaron. They committed an infraction of a ritual and were punished by death. That’s why it is so important to inquire of the Lord for direction and consider all the ramifications of our decisions.

The following short poem is about things falling in place because of grace:

Things fall into place
Because of grace.
Accepting the Savior,
A change in behavior,
Following where He leads,
Doing good deeds,
Accepting the truth,
And teaching our youth;
Learning His ways
And giving Him praise.

Join in the praise of today’s Music video “Your Grace Is Enough by Matt Maher”. 


Index of devotionals

Posted in Accurate Thinking, Devotionals | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment