This day with God, think of ways to build up the body of Christ. Make it your purpose to love what God loves and share with others
— Mark Shields (@MarkShieldsWaco) October 23, 2018
We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. – 2 Corinthians 6:3
A thought made in the post “Build Each Other Up” is that there is no need to flaunt our knowledge to the detriment of someone else. Instead build up others. Be interested in finding their strengths and thinking of ways for them to receive the power God wants them to have.
Jesus came to earth and made the complex simple. Our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The Gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never lets us down. The complexities in life are made more user friendly so we can find greater efficiency in our daily walk.
Take inspiration from the song Control by Tenth Avenue North. God has the power to lift the weight that holds us down so we are free to run with grace.
Paul emphasizes the need to support and build up your neighbor as Christians but as discussed in 1 Corinthians 8, there were some issues the early Christians were working through. One was eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols.
Some Corinthian Christians had the opinion that eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols was a sin. Others said there was nothing wrong with it and this disagreement had the potential to split them apart. The Christians who understood that idols where unimportant were in the wrong for flaunting their knowledge and liberty instead of helping the others along.
Paul explains that there is the need to balance knowledge of God’s way with concern for and love for those still understanding this new way taught by Christ. We should do what is pleasing to God and balance this knowledge with building up others, being interested in what strengths they have, and thinking of ways to help them understand.
Like jumper cables that recharge one battery from another, we can be the link that connects the power of God to people. We can get interested in them, bring joy to them, and empower them. The photo below is a July 4th celebration in my neighborhood. There is a need today for neighbors to get to know each other and work together to build each other up.
July 4th celebration in my neighborhood
Jesus came to earth and made the complex simple. Our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The Gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free to run with grace. The complexities in life are made more user friendly so we can find greater efficiency in our daily walk.
We thank You God for giving us Your Word as the instruction manual for life. By following Your Word, we can live with power to be a better spouse, a better parent, a better worker, and to love our neighbor as You first loved us. The way Jesus lived on earth gives us all the perfect example to follow. We honor You by making a decision to be a friend of Jesus and following. Today, we believe You will help do amazing things as we work together for Your glory. Amen.
When a young person has good role models to follow, they can see, believe, and achieve. They are able to follow good examples from teachers, preachers, and leaders. This picture was taken after my daughter’s confirmation at our church in 2011.
Confirmation 5-1-11
With good role models
Like parents, teachers,
Grandparents, preachers,
Or civic leaders.
The Individual
Increases their chance
To see, believe,
Achieve and advance.
They start to model
Positive behavior
And start to believe
Christ as their savior.
They pray and ask
To receive a purpose;
They imagine how
They could be of service.
They see in their mind
The roles they will play
To act out their part
Each and every day.
Poem by Mark Shields – © 09-27-2018
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2
The post “Undivided Devotion” was about Paul’s warnings to the Corinthian church about being separated from full devotion to God. Marriage can cause this to happen because the things of this world become much more important when we are trying to pay the bills, raise children, do chores around the house, or put time into other concerns of life.
At the same time though, marriage and family relationships can give us opportunities to make an impact on our world in amazing ways. But it takes putting our attention on God and His presence. By putting Him first, the rest of our challenges in life work out.
Our Creator has unlimited resources and can handle our yesterdays and our tomorrows so we can simply concentrate on today. When we worship, we are giving God the one thing He can’t give us; our time.
During worship, we are expressing how valuable He is in our life. So give Him four minutes of your time today. Take in the information given in the song Fix My Eyes by King & Country. Keep your eyes on the ONE who can make all things possible. Be focused today on the main thing … what matters most and realize how you’ve been blessed with the gift of love from above.
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This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 