Success Story

This day with God, start giving direction to the dreams He gives. Here is a poem inspired by the success story of the founders of Blue Bell Ice Cream which started as a small town creamery in 1907 and today is the fourth highest-selling ice cream brand in the United States.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Two farmers developed
As I recall
Something that can be
Enjoyed by all.

One farmer had chickens
With eggs to espouse.
The other a herd
Of dairy cows.

Both using their strengths,
Mixing them together
And making ice cream
As a bellwether.

Known as the best,
Called Blue Bell
A truly success
Story to tell.

The moral is to
Strife to be the best,
Pair up with strengths,
And you will be blessed.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 04-12-2018

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The Best Way

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:6

The post “A Meaningful Life” offers some thoughts and ideas in living a life that brings meaning by letting God direct each step you take. To do the right thing with integrity. To love your neighbor and treat others right. To be disciplined so you have the basic necessities in life. To take advantage of tough times by learning from the experience.

The best way is God’s path. We can enroll in God’s school of wisdom and apply this wisdom in our life. The book of Proverbs is the text book to the course. Here’s a video with these thoughts in mind: The Way – Jeremy Camp.


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A Meaningful Life

The proverbs can be categorized as to observation, interpretation, or application. We can learn from others through observation. We can interpret God’s Word so that it directs our steps. We can apply what we learn for a meaningful life.

Proverbs 20 starts out with the vice of alcoholic beverages. We can observe the life of an alcoholic and learn much about how this vice destroys the life of individuals and their families. The chapter then points out the negatives of having low energy and not being able to obtain the basic necessities of food and shelter. Enthusiasm with integrity helps one to flourish but idleness will wither a future.

The key to flourishing is to let God direct each step. Let God direct your steps by putting the future in His hands. Being honest with yourself and with others. Learning from mistakes of the past and honoring God by applying His instructions in your life.

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This day with You Lord, direct our steps. We pray for help in using the lessons in Your Word and the experiences we go through Lord. Like a lake that collects rain water, help us to collect a reservoir of thoughts and ideas over time to be used to guide our steps along the journey. We receive your grace Lord and accept the opportunity to gain wisdom in order to live a meaningful life. Amen.

 

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Inspired Hearts

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. – Colossians 3:12

The study written about in the post “Neighbor Helping Neighbor” gave some meaningful qualities that need to be a part of our life.

Our kindness to our fellow neighbor starts with the amazing kindness God first showed to us when He sent Jesus to die on the cross. It is highlighted in today’s song Kindness By Todd Agnew and has inspired the following poem.

God’s love opened up
the skies of mercy
for His love reigned down
to take away worry.

Keep falling down on us,
amazing grace like rains
with a cleansing stream
washing away the stains.

Better than life itself
is the kindness of the Lord
and His favor that blesses
so keep on reigning Lord.


Index of devotionals

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Neighbor Helping Neighbor

Some say the rich may not be able to understand the struggles of the poor. Some on the other hand say the poor do not understand the discipline and hard work required of the rich. The Bible tells us that the best way to manage society’s problems are through neighbor helping neighbor.

Proverbs 19 explains that giving to the poor or needy is like lending to the Lord and an investment that will be rewarded. A rich person may try to buy friends but in the long run integrity is more valuable than wealth.

This morning my thoughts are about hurricane Harvey last September. In Texas, the faith based groups outpaced the federal government in help from the devastating floods. Many citizens used their fishing boats to rescue their neighbors from the floods. People contributed their time and money to help their neighbor in need of basic necessities like food, water, and clothing. The rescues were amazing – the kindness and love of fellow neighbor was apparent.

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A few meaningful qualities from this chapter that need to be a part of our life include integrity, discipline, enthusiasm, and kindness. Examples of all these qualities can be found in God’s Word. We need to find these treasures in God’s Word and follow the instructions. Then teach our children to also follow the Way. What we make happen for others will be given back to us so when we give, a gift will be given back. When we act kind, we receive kindness from others.

This day with You Lord, inspire in our heart to be charitable to the needy, treat others fairly, respect the aged, and love our neighbors. Give us ideas in ways to carry out these qualities by planning out action steps. We pray that Your purpose prevails. Amen.

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