Living Out Life with Courage

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Mark Shields

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

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Mark Shields

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

Posted on June 15, 2019 by Mark Shields

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

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Mark Shields

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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Step Ahead Higher and Higher

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Mark Shields

Explained in Micah 4 are God’s plans for the last days or the Tribulation and the Millennium. The temple will be built on Mount Zion and people around the world will gather in Jerusalem. There will be universal peace as God’s instruction is followed.

Before that time, there will be hard times and humanity will be put through the test. There will be loss, abandonment, and despair but there is a way to a brighter future by accepting God’s help. Difficulties can become building blocks to a more grand future as His people step ahead higher and higher.

This passage reminds me of Jacob’s dream of a ladder connecting the earth and heaven. On the campus of Abilene Christian University is a work of art depicting Jacob’s dream. Below is a photo of my daughter in front of this monument as she was visiting the campus before becoming a student.

Lord, this day help us to apply our faith. The principles taught by You will lead us to a future described in this passage when the world has it together. When things are done the right way as people help each other and nations live in peace. We are grateful that we are connected to heaven because of accepting You as Lord and Savior. Amen.

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