Comfort for the Downcast

This day with God, experience beneficial character building by maintaining optimism in difficult times. God may bring comfort through the kindness of another person or inspire with a glorious sunrise, sunset or rainbow.

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The pictures below shows a morning back in 2015 with snow on the ground. The next photo is from the same office on the same day looking out the same window showing a sunny and clear day.

Afternoon

God brings comfort
For the downcast
Turning a bad day
Into a blast.

Just as the weather
In Texas changes
From extremes that seem
Almost outrageous.

In a matter of hours
So can our outlook
Be uplifted
From the Good Book.

We can go through
A bad day at work
But the Good News
Gives us a perk.

Bringing comfort
And inspiration
With optimism
For all Creation.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 05-16-2019

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Turn the Intangibles of Faith into Tangible Good Deeds

Plant good seeds and the good food of the Spirit will bring rich blessings. Continue the sense of wonder the gospel offers for you daily and share with others. The enthusiasm will be contagious and the harvest will be plentiful. – Galatians 6:10

The post “Power in You” is about Paul’s advice to the Corinthians before his third visit. He tells them to aim for perfection, to listen, be of one mind, and live in peace.

By letting God’s power work in our life, we can turn the intangibles of faith into tangible good deeds.

Every great cause, first began as a dream. God has a purpose for our life and we can participate in the greatness and power of God.

Take inspiration from the song Do Something by Matthew West. 
 

 

Index of devotionals

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Power in You

As written in 2 Corinthians 13, Paul will act more firmly toward the Corinthians when he comes for his third visit and will expect that they are living in the faith. He explains the concept of weakness and strength. Before Christ, there was weakness but now power lives inside and there is strength.

He challenges the Corinthians to examine themselves but his concern is that they may fail the test. To prove success, there must be evidence of them following the Way and Paul is concerned that they have not fully accepted Christ into their life.

In order to prove that the Way of Christ is in our life, self-examination is important and we should strive to integrate our faith with our lifestyle.  Start each day off right with God, plan out the things that need to be done, and believe that there is a bright future ahead.

We should accept God’s love, peace, and power to apply the intangibles of our faith into the tangibles of our good deeds. Every great cause, first began as a dream. God has a purpose for our life and we can participate in the greatness and power of God.

One example of a dream for a good cause was American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The dream of colorectal surgeon, Dr. Gordy Klatt was put into action in 1985 as a way to raise awareness of cancer and boost income for his local cancer charity. Communities around the world have taken this dream so that the cause has now grown into the largest fundraising event for cancer in the world. Below is a picture of the opening lap of a Relay for life event in my community.

This day with You Lord, we desire to aim for perfection, listen to You for direction, be of one mind, and strive to live in peace. In order to accomplish this, we examine ourselves, test ourselves, and believe that Your Spirit is in us. We see a future of possibilities because of our spiritual growth. We are gaining momentum from what You have done yesterday and we are dreaming big dreams for the future. Amen.

 

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Making a Stand

It takes courage to stand up to those that oppose our freedom. Paul demonstrates courage in standing up to the negative ways of the world during his time. He was devoted to being a servant of Christ even when in danger, imprisonment, & facing tremendous pressure.

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It takes courage to make a stand against those that oppose our freedom. Below is a picture my daughter took when she went to Washing ton D. C. on a class trip years ago. It’s a photo of the United States Marine Corps War Memorial inspired by the iconic photo of the soldiers raising the flag on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945.

There are going to be
Hard times faced in life
But making a stand
Frees you from strife.

Be a courageous
Servant for Christ
And oppose those who
Are pulling a heist.

The power of the
Holy Spirit inside
Will help to step ahead
And not be terrified.

Make a stand with courage
To those who oppose
With God’s perfect way
And power it bestows.

Let’ work together
As God’s angel army
To provide safety
For you and me.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 05-27-2019

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One Common Link

This poem is inspired by 2 Corinthians 6 and 7. Some things just don’t mix together very well like water and oil or like pizza and weight loss. In the same way, worshiping idols does not mix with worshiping the ONE true God.

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Like oil mixed with water,
Winter and silk,
Pizza and weight loss
Or vinegar with milk

The world has idols
Worshiped in wickedness
That do not mix well
With righteousness.

But a common link
Is the Holy Spirit
And paradise
Is ours to inherit.

So take on each challenge
By focusing on God
For difficulties
Can be sent abroad.

He’s near to us
Providing a plus
Thus working things out
For all of us.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 05-09-2019

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