Live with Confidence

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Mark Shields

David had been on the run away from King Saul. He was tired from running and sought asylum with Achish but was thrown in prison. David pretended to be a mad man and Achish released him so David went to a cave in the hill country of Judea southwest of Jerusalem.

It is during this time in the cave that many Bible scholars believe David wrote Psalms 34 as a praise song to God for listening, for delivering him from his enemies, and answering his prayers.

The song teaches us to fear the Lord, turn from evil, seek peace, and to do good. David shows confidence in God delivering the righteous from trouble; delivering those who are brokenhearted and rescuing those who take refuge in Him.

We can have a similar confidence by seeking God in everything we do. God will teach us through His Word, in the music we listen to, in the relationships we have with others, in art, and in nature. We can apply our faith by imparting our knowledge and demonstrating the principles of Christ in how we live.

This day with You Lord we live with confidence that You will bless us because we are seeking Your advice and following through with Your guidance. Day by day we study Your Word and we are being transformed into being more like Christ. We are learning the best way and applying it to how we live. Amen.

 

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Expectations

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Mark Shields

What prophecies control your life? Don’t let other people or external negative expectations dominate your attitudes about yourself. You can’t force others around you to change their attitudes about you but you do have the freedom to change your own thoughts and attitudes about yourself. We see this in sports. How many times have you heard people say a team can’t beat another? Yet, the team wins because they expected to win and were motivated to pay the price with practice, dedication and concentration toward the victory.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Negative prophecies
Can control your life,
Destroy confidence,
And fill you with strife.

Low expectations
Can dominate
So your attitude
Is in a bad state.

But you have freedom
To make a change
Turn negative thoughts
So they are rearranged.

You have what it takes
To turn a defeat
Into a victory
And then repeat.

Then you will impress
With more progress
And more conquests
So they expect success.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 01-31-2019

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Nourished with Virtue

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Mark Shields

Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God. – Luke 18:27 

Within the post “Impossible for Us but Possible with God”, explained is how God’s plans for us make the impossible, possible. The gift of Jesus has made possible the freedom we feel and a desire to praise Him. Our hope as a believer is to be nourished with virtue by studying God’s Word and applying the standards it teaches.

With God by our side, we can passionately believe in what we are doing. This day, let nothing hold you up in your work. Believe that one day at a time the impossible can become possible.

Music is very important when praising the Lord. Listen to the song Starry Night by Chris August and be grateful that we have free access to our Creator because of Christ. Then everything is possible and things will fall into place for an amazing day. 


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Impossible for Us but Possible with God

Posted on February 13, 2019 by Mark Shields

Reading Psalms 33, we get an indication that this psalm is designed for corporate worship. The psalmist says to praise the Lord through music and song because the earth is full of his unfailing love (v. 5).

The psalmist pictures God as the Creator. By the Word of the Lord the vast universe was made with the stars and planets. He made the deep oceans on earth with land for people to live. Nations formed and the eyes of the Lord are on those who put their hope in His unfailing love.

God can turn what is impossible for us and make it possible. Each nation comes up with standards of morality and Americans should rejoice that the U. S. constitution was based on the principles laid out in the Bible. By studying history, one can easily conclude that God treats the plans of each nation differently. Those that follow His way are blessed and those that don’t are destroyed.

The plans of God make the impossible, possible. God’s gift of Jesus has made possible the freedom we feel and a desire to praise. The photo below was taken at a concert of Love & The Outcome.

This day with You God, we give praise for Your Word because of the standards of morality it teaches. We see the world around us and see these standards not being followed but we continue to be patient. Sometimes all it takes is getting the basics done and letting You take what is basic and turning it into something amazing. Putting You first is basic and even though we have doubt, there is more faith than doubt. We are “One Nation Under God” and because of that fact, things can turn around. You always have one more move that can set us on the path to victory. Amen. 

 

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The Paved Way

Posted on February 12, 2019 by Mark Shields

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 

Life can be a load as in Psalms 32 when David faced loss, opposition, abandonment, and despair but as explained in the post “A Big Weight is Lifted”, the load is made easier to carry when we accept God’s help.

Jesus has paved the way to a clear path so you can constantly go for advice or insight and listen to God for guidance. It’s going to be a great day because God has given you the resources needed to step ahead with confidence.

Ask God to lead you so you can lead others as pointed out in the song Lead Me by Sanctus Real. Listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be led to where you need to go.


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