The Reward is with the Lord

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Mark Shields

Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. – Revelation 22:12

As brought out in the post “Keeping Sight of Doing Right”, the greatest reward is doing the right thing so the heart is at peace in knowing that God will reward with an eternal destiny.

Just as pointed out in this song Lose My Soul by Toby Mac ft. Kirk Franklin, Mandisa, some are consumed by gaining the whole world but in the process lose their soul. Instead, do the right things in life and look forward your eternal destiny.
 

 

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Rewards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Keeping Sight of Doing Right

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Mark Shields

Explained in Proverbs 14 is that there are rewards for following the wisdom in God’s Word and doing what is right. There is peace, joy, and success in the long run. On the other hand, there is a multitude of negative results for doing what is wrong. There is recklessness, deceitfulness, envy, and ultimate destruction.

Things in this world can be difficult. There are many without the basic necessities including clothing and food. We also live in a world of spiritual poverty as there are many who do not understand what they are missing out on. By accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, they can inherit and are entitled to the gift of the Holy Spirit with amazing power.

What the writer of this passage is telling us is that meaningful results require thinking things through and having a plan. Most of all, they require work. Helping others to understand how to follow God’s plan is the most meaningful gift anyone can give.

We live in a culture where everyone thinks there is this need to climb to the top putting in 60, 70, or even 80 hour weeks into their career. Before long, they can become burned out and in poor health. There are times when a person just needs to be happy where they are and look forward to being promoted to their eternal destiny with the Lord.

Doing the Lord’s work is the most meaningful. I’ve been a volunteer for the tech group at our church for many years. My daughter volunteered for the nursery at our church while going through High School.

There are many great memories of us going to church together and the great feeling you would have coming home from church together after doing the Lord’s work. God finds favor in those who give their time to be the hands and feet for His work. They are blessed and others are blessed because of them.

Image Source

This day with You Lord, we face trials in life. Sometimes we have wrong priorities and make some bad decisions but we are grateful for getting a new start each day. We may miss the mark some days but grace received because of Christ makes us perfect in Your eyes. We accept what Jesus did on the Cross and call for help in stepping ahead in faith. May Your instructions be our stepping stones along the path! Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Rewards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Taking in More Spiritual Food

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Mark Shields

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. – Romans 5:3

Taking in more spiritual food and less junk food is a great idea for shedding a few pounds as brought out in the post “Ideas for Greater Discipline”.

Not only does this idea provide added physical benefits but also spiritual benefits. As pointed out in the song Stay by Jeremy Camp, remaining in the light produces perseverance, character, and hope.

This day with God my friend, never walk away but stay in the light and throw all burdens away.
 

 

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Discipline | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ideas for Greater Discipline

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Mark Shields

Even though it may seem to a child that a parent gives instruction that makes no sense, they have gained knowledge and experience over a lifetime so the wise attitude is to take heed and follow. Godly instruction like found in Proverbs 13 and throughout the Bible comes with even more experience and knowledge as understandings of life are shared in God’s Word so there is great wisdom to be received.

Many do not want to follow instruction and have to learn for themselves the hard way. The key is patience and discipline. Remember in Proverbs chapter 1, verse 7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

There may be areas in your life that you would like more discipline. One area may be pride. Many would rather go for days trying to figure something out on their own because of their pride. While striving to find answers on your own may have some good qualities, there should be a time limit so that asking for and putting into action the thoughts or ideas from others is practiced.

Some ideas for developing wisdom may include memorizing scripture so that God’s instruction is available in the heart and mind; ready to be applied at all times and in all places. An idea on shredding a few pounds may be to limit junk food and soda during the breaks in the work day. Instead, use that time to read a Christian blog and be nourished with good food for the soul. To praise God and pray for direction for the rest of the day.

Image Source

This day with You Lord, we’ve gained knowledge and wisdom through reading Your Word. Your Word feeds our soul. Your Word gives us the power to change, to become more disciplined, and respond to Your call. Help us to enthusiastically read Your Word on a daily basis and be filled with Your Spirit. We are grateful to have others to grow with in our Christian walk as we fellowship together in Your church and in our groups. In Jesus name. Amen. 

 

Posted in Bible Study, Discipline | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Proverbs 13-18

Posted on March 19, 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 rains down on earth so we can collect this wisdom in the reservoir of our mind.

We should desire wisdom’s instruction more than silver and her knowledge more than gold. Nothing we desire can compare with her for she is more precious than rubies. Accumulate this treasure and receive the benefit provided.  The call of folly leads to things like drugs, alcohol, and despair but the call of wisdom brings God’s blessings.

Many may say that God’s Word is outdated and not useful in today’s world but it’s a lie. Insight is gained from reading the Bible and God’s plan for us is revealed. By accepting what Jesus did for us on the Cross, we receive the greatest gift of all and we can step out in faith.

In sports, some teams win and some loose but in life there is sure victory through Christ. If God is with us through all of it, then we end up victorious. Here’s a song to inspire us as we step ahead: Through All of It by Colton Dixon.

Each day with God, analyze your activities to discover the strengths you have. Your strengths is not in being like everyone else but in being who you are; a precious child of God. He is with you and His Spirit lives in you. Because of this fact, you have unlimited potential since God has unlimited potential.

The wise take the path of righteousness and are rewarded with a future of success. Along the path, they are lifted up out of the meadows of life and inspired by the majestic mountaintops along life’s journey. Over the long term, their path gets more majestic and leads into immortality.

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 13-18 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!

Image Source

Questions for Reflection

Proverbs 13
What is the wise attitude toward parental instruction? What is the wise attitude toward God-given instruction? In what areas of your life do you want to be more disciplined? How can you develop wisdom?

Proverbs 14
What are the rewards for doing what is right? What are the consequences for not doing what is right? What is the writer’s attitude toward the poor within this passage?

Proverbs 15
What are the characteristics of the speech of a wise and a foolish person? What attributes of God are revealed here? What emotional stability do the righteous have in the face of changing circumstances?

Proverbs 16
What part do you have in your plans? What part does God have in your plans? What is the lesson in self-control in this passage? To what extent are you able to relate the proverbs to daily living?

Proverbs 17
What relationships are pointed out in this passage? What principles can be used for interaction in these relationships? Are there times you have had joy even during trying times?

Proverbs 18
What happens to the types of people in this chapter and why? In what specific ways is the name of the Lord your strong tower? What are the themes of this chapter?

 

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/>.
Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Questions for Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment