Focus

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Mark Shields

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2 

As pointed out in the post “Attention on the Principles Taught”, we all have one thing in common. God is maker of us all so let us put our attention on the principles taught by His Son and we will have what we need to succeed. Let us fix our eyes on what is unseen; never changing and eternal. Earthly struggles last a short time compared to God’s path that leads to eternal peace and eternal bliss.

In the book Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald, an idea is given to develop a series of codes (keywords) that will help organize your thoughts and ideas. As we read, listen to music, watch movies, or talk with people throughout life, document thoughts and ideas by organizing according to these keywords. For example from the song Fix My Eyes by King & Country, below are some thoughts we can document for the key word focus (Focus on God):

Love like I’m not scared
Give when it’s not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall and above it all


Index of devotionals

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Attention on the Principles Taught

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Mark Shields

The main theme of Proverbs 22:1-16 is putting God first. The one thing we all have in common is that God is maker of us all. If we put our attention on the principles taught in the Bible, we will all have what we need to succeed.

Our attention to putting God first should begin at a young age. Training children in the ways of God so they will not depart from it (v. 6). At the same time, adults also grow by training the young and becoming good examples for them.

One idea for training young people is to highlight God’s principles. It is a challenge because of the distractions that technology can bring to us today. Social media and the access to false information makes it a challenge to train in the right way.

One advantage to God’s principles are that they never change. From generation to generation, the principles are the same. Most everything changes in our world with technology but the principles of God never do.

A daily devotional time using a guide like “This Day with God” internalizes His guiding principles becoming an instrument which pushes one to focus on Him in every activity throughout the day.

Being a good example for the younger generation requires that we apply His principles in our own lives. Kids need leadership and they need to see their leader walking the walk. Technology doesn’t work unless the code that runs it is synced up. It’s the same in our lives. To walk the walk, leaders must be in sync with the correct model. They need to be in sync with the ONE that provides what they need; the ONE true God.

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This day with You Lord, help us to focus on what matters most in life. We sometimes focus on things that don’t matter like a luxurious house, a fancy car, or that our favorite sports team wins. These never fully satisfy but the promise You give us through Your Son opens the door to an awesome future. Use us to reveal Your glory to the younger generation so that all eyes are fixed on the ONE that brings significance. Amen.

 

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Sharpen Your Tools

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Mark Shields

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. – Psalm 28:7 

The Lord is your strength and shield. He’s in control and victories rest with Him. The thought brought out in the post “Victory Rest with the Lord” is that we need to focus on God’s Way. We need to use the instructions of His Word like instruments to guide our life. The principles of God are like tools and we need to make sure these tools are sharpened for the challenges ahead.

We live in a confusing world but God is near to help clarify the Way. When we fight against evil, we need the strengths God has given us to win our battles. Our help is from God. One tool to win our battles is prayer. We can go to Him in prayer which is our greatest power because we are speaking to the ONE who already has the answer.

Another tool in our battle is music to praise God. Take inspiration from today’s song Shoulders – For King & Country and the poem below it has inspired.

Lord, our help comes from You
In a world of chaos
You pull us through.

You carry us high
Up on Your shoulders
And Your Word we do apply.



Index of devotionals

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Victory Rest with the Lord

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Mark Shields

Reading in Proverbs 21, the themes of these proverbs is that the Lord is our strength and shield. He’s in control and victories rest with Him. Let us use the principles of His Word and apply them in our life for they are like tools given to us. Let us maintain and sharpen them for the challenges ahead.

Today, I’m remembering the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas back in October. The shooter planned this for a long time. His aim was destruction. He destroyed many lives that night in Las Vegas. The question is why? Why didn’t he aim for something of meaning to build up lives rather than kill and destroy? The answer my friends is the difference between a righteous person and an evil person. The killer was a person who gambled, who sought prostitutes, who only built up wealth for his own personal gratification.

The future of a righteous person is one of purpose, of meaning, and one that looks to a bright future of doing God’s will; to be fruitful and multiply. A future that helps others toward a better life rather than the destruction of lives. On the other hand, the future of an evil person leads to a meaningless future that blocks any progress.

Help us Lord today to accept that changes are constantly needed in our life. There are issues we continue to face in our human condition. Even though we’ve accepted Your Son and have become righteous in Your eyes, we struggle to live a life of meaning. Things hold us back because we doubt Your power. Help us today to put our attention on You. Help us to take initiative in making the needed changes. You are big enough to handle the challenges we face and build our lives with a meaningful purpose. Amen.

 

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Proverbs 19-26

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been sharing more thoughts from the study of the book of Proverbs. This collection of writings urges conduct that expresses a person’s relationship with God in everyday situations. The Word of God speaks to us from up high with wisdom and spiritual food for the soul.

The wise speak with encouraging words that uplift at a timely moment but the foolish tear apart crushing all hopes. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold and understanding rather than silver! If we plan our course with good motives, the Lord will provide the details by determining our steps and bring prosperity because we follow those steps.

The wise avoid the traps that bring trouble by listening to those they can trust and they always strive to get along with others by watching what comes from their words. When tested, they continue to have a good outlook on life.

The wise speak positive about situations and people with encouragement, affection, and praise. Let us think of ways to offer these positives and plan it out in our heart in order to offer sweet fruit for the souls we meet.

Let God direct each step we take. Let us strive to do what is right with integrity by loving our neighbors and treating others right. Self-discipline will help us have what is needed if we take advantage of God’s instruction and learn from the experiences we go through.

The mission of this blog is to bring out ways to better apply God’s Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The questions for reflection for the study of Proverbs 19-26 below will help bring out some thoughts and ideas over the next few weeks.

The reading plan below will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing!

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Questions for Reflection

Proverbs 19
What is your attitude toward the rich? Toward the poor? How can you be kind to the poor or needy today? What meaningful qualities from this chapter need to be a part of your life today?

Proverbs 20
What are the different categories of proverbs within this chapter? In what ways does each category reveal wisdom? How can we apply the message from today’s passage?

Proverbs 21
What are the themes of these proverbs?  In what areas of life do you need to change today? What is the future of a righteous person? What is the future of an evil person?

Proverbs 22:1-16
What is the theme of this passage? What ideas are there for training the young in God’s principles? How can you change for the better so you are a good example for the younger generation?

Proverbs 22:17 through 23
What are the attitudes and actions that the wise apply? How does this wisdom affect others? What are some ideas for putting God’s instruction into practice?

Proverbs 24
How are wisdom and strength related? What is an idea for handling crisis situations? How do you know when your sleep is necessary and when it is merely escape?

Proverbs 25
How can each day be lived with enthusiasm? What should be our actions and attitudes towards our neighbors? How can you experience self-control in what you say and do?

Proverbs 26
What are the characteristics of a fool? A sluggard? A quarrelsome person? A gossip? A hypocrite? How can these traits be removed from a person’s life?

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print. 
“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web.  <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.
“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.
Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.
“Google Images.” Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&authuser=0&ei=8IipWNPmOoPBmwHIpZ2ACQ&ved=0EKouCBcoAQ>.
“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.
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