All-Surpassing Power

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Mark Shields

This day with God, go about your day being mindful of the power of Love through Christ. You are a champ in God’s eye. Your faith gives hope. It keeps you steady & leads to enthusiasm as you know the destination is a great reward.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

We may face pressure
But never crushed;
We face uncertainty
But never lack of trust.

Persecution
But no isolation;
Maybe struck down,
But no devastation.

In our difficulties
We overcome
With a greater power
To handle them.

For the light shines
Out of darkness
To provide a power
That we can harness.

We have available
All-surpassing power
To bring victory
At our brightest hour.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 04-11-2019

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Cheerful Giver

Posted on April 25, 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

The post “Give and Be Blessed” is about the joy received when giving to others in need. Generosity may require some sacrifice but you feel much better afterwards. It is in our generosity that we exercise our faith. The greatest feeling in the world is making a difference in the world in which you live.

It is in giving that we find joy and meaning. Everyone has a need for God’s grace so show others this grace and be blessed. Receive today’s inspiring song When Love Sees You (Jesus)  by Mac Powell. 
 

 

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Give and Be Blessed

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Mark Shields

As explained in 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, the motivation for giving should be to share in the service of the Lord’s people. Giving should be out of the love of the Lord that overflows so that others are blessed.

Excel with a desire to share with others. Generously feed souls and ask God to open doors so your treasure accrues in the hearts of many and fulfills a purpose that only God could imagine.

As explained in today’s passage, faith grows even more when giving is done out of the love of our Lord for what we have been blessed with and a joyous experience because we get to witness what our part can contribute to helping those in need.

For many years now, I’ve been involved in the annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Below is a photo of the opening lap of one of the events. Giving of your time and money may require some sacrifice but there is a rewarding feeling afterwards.

Relay for Life

This day with You Lord, we take ownership in Your work by giving. We use our time and resources to glorify You.  Our habits change, our choices change, and we desire to share with others in need. Amen.

 

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Cheerful No Matter What

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Mark Shields

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As noted in the post “Comfort for the Downcast”, we can offer God’s Good News to someone today.

Let us be inspired and encouraged from today’s song Rescuer (Good News) by Rend Collective. There is Good News today for God is our rescuer. Give praise to our Lord today! 
 

 

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Comfort for the Downcast

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Mark Shields

Reading in 2 Corinthians 7:5-16, Paul’s appointed disciple named Titus had visited the Corinthian church and now rejoins Paul at Macedonia. The report to Paul was a good one because the Corinthian church had received Titus and were ready to receive Paul (v. 13).

Paul was downcast before the report from Titus because of the opposition and persecution he faced in Macedonia but finds optimism in how the Corinthian people had treated his appointed disciple named Titus.

This report from Titus cheered up Paul who was now convinced that the opposition in Corinth was from a small group of dissenters and that the majority of the congregation wanted to do what was right.

God brings comfort for the downcast and can turn a bad day into a good day. Just as the weather in Texas can change from one extreme to another in a matter of hours so can our Spirit be uplifted from one extreme to another.

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.

Morning

Afternoon

This day with You Lord, we can change a person’s day from a bad one to a good one by offering Your Good News. They may be going through a difficult time but we can bring comfort to them and inspire them with optimism for their future. Amen.

 

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