Strong Finish

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Mark Shields

Like athletes planning out their victory, we can plan out our daily activities. We can write out quotes, Bible verses, points made in sermons, and links to videos. These will be used to inspire, support plans, and provide a map to staying on course. It’s also a good idea to plan out a timeline because deadlines are important. They act like the time clock at a sporting event and everyone becomes more focused before time runs out.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Athletes seek improvement
To gain their victory
And you too can aim
For a high trajectory.

With positive values
And being determined
By gaining inspiration
From a great sermon.

Always encouraged
With devout themes
To provide a path
Beyond your dreams.

Giving a mission
With planned out timelines
Which are so important
To meeting deadlines.

The end approaches
And all effort is spent
Like getting the best time
At a sporting event.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 02-22-2018
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Working Together to Make the Right Moves

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Mark Shields

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 

The post “Being Industrious” gives some thoughts after reading Proverbs 6 about the importance of working together to make the right moves in life. The importance of setting goals and managing our time. We also received instructions in good relationships and how to handle our personal lives.

Our moves in live may not always line up with how God tells us to live but remember that the King of kings always has one more move before the game of life is over. The blood of Christ is the extra move God gives us for the path to victory. Then each day we can study God’s Word for continual cleaning. We can also hold each other accountable, share ideas, and encourage one another.

Today, I’m reminded of a song delivered on The Voice 2016 by Contestant Sundance Head. With Jesus by our side, we can make the impossible possible.
 

 

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Being Industrious

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Mark Shields

In today’s passage Proverbs 6, a lesson is given on being industrious and using good common sense. The passage gives us the lesson using the example of an ant. The ant doesn’t sit around doing nothing but they’ve worked out a system where they prepare and work together to provide necessities.

The Lord hates certain characteristics in people.  Some include a bad attitude, wrong thoughts, lying, and actions that hurt others. If any of these are in our life, the only way to get rid of them is by the blood of Christ. Then each day we can study God’s Word for continual cleaning. We can also hold each other accountable, share ideas, and encourage one another.

More warnings are given against adultery in today’s passage. Remember in the previous study of Proverbs 5 that the consequences for the person who commits adultery are personal and public destruction including the loss of health, wealth, honor, and dignity. God’s plan is for us is to use good common sense by putting all our attention on the one He joined with us in marriage.

This day with You Lord, we know that when two or more are gathered in Your name, there is a third power at work giving extra energy. Gathered is not just two minds but a third called the Holy Spirit at work. Each are pulling together with various thoughts and ideas to make an ordinary day into an amazing day. We are thankful for each opportunity to gather together as we pray in Jesus name. Amen

 

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His Plan for Sex and Love

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Mark Shields

The adulteress as described in Proverbs 5 is very attractive and desirable but in the end would lead to the wrong path in life. The passage commanded to stay away from the adulteress because of personal and public destruction including the loss of health, wealth, honor, and dignity.

God’s plan for sex and love is to rejoice in the wife of our youth and always be enraptured with her love (v. 18). The passage points out the importance of marriage and advises to put all attention on the one He has joined you with in marriage.

The blessings of a traditional married life as one man and one woman was designed and ordained by God to meet each spouse’s needs. Also designed for the birth and the rearing of children.

Many suggest the disintegration of a culture and the disintegration of the family begins when the traditional meaning of marriage is lost. When a society’s basic family unit that has worked most effectively over the years is no longer held in high regard.

This day with You God, we pray for stronger relationships. Being sensitive to the needs of our spouse. Realizing that Your plan Lord is for us to use good common sense by putting our attention on the one You have joined with us in marriage. As we go throughout this day, we pray for building great memories with the ones we love. Amen

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Memories for a Lifetime

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Mark Shields

Rejoice with the wife of your youth … and always be enraptured with her love. – Proverbs 5:18-19 

Within the post “His Plan for Sex and Love”, written were some thoughts about the institutions of marriage, about relationships, and about building great memories over a lifetime with the ones we love. The memories are some of the most valuable possessions we can have. 

There are times of the year that bring back memories. The end of summer when family gathers for Labor Day, the fall and the smell of pecan pie, the winter when the leaves have fallen and you look up into the cold night sky and see more stars than you could ever count. The spring and the memories of kids playing youth sports and the summers going to the water park. You can depend on the seasons … they keep coming … you can count on it, but they never are exactly the same. O, they really don’t change but life and how you see things does.

Unfortunately, relationships can easily be broken and the people that are hurt are the ones we love the most. The song Keep Your Eyes on Me by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill has some good points on building stronger relationships that last. Things like being sensitive to the needs of your spouse and understanding that God’s plan is for us is to use good common sense by putting our attention on the one He joined with us in marriage.


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