Higher Power

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Mark Shields

This Sunday is the Super Bowl. The winning team receives the Lombardi trophy named after the great coach of the Green Bay Packers who said one time, “I firmly believe that a man’s finest hour – his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear is the moment when he works his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle –victorious”. This poem inspires the need for a process or game plan towards being victorious.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

The thing about sports
Is that aims are defined
Everyone on the team
Has their goal aligned.

In football, it’s
Getting the ball
Across the goal line
Before one does fall.

In sports and in life,
There are keys to success
And it all starts
By having a process.

Doing your best
At all times because
You are working
For the greatest cause.

Firmly believing
That your finest hour
Your greatest fulfillment
Is accepting the Higher Power.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 02-01-2018
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If I Knew Then What I Know Now

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Mark Shields

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. – Proverbs 4:5

The post “Wisdom Multiplied” had some thoughts about being wise in what we read, what we see, and what we do. God’s wisdom, purpose, and mystery is all related since He knows everything, sees everything, and controls everything from beginning to end. What is written about in the Old Testament comes true in the New!

The challenge we face in a world that tries to discount the power of the gospel message is to remain faithful. Our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never let us down.

Try this: memorize scripture, think about your day; what good things did you experience and what bad things did you experience that provided a lesson for the future and a lesson to share and help others.

As in the song Dear Younger Me by MercyMe, gather lessons throughout life and strive to be wise.
 

 

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Wisdom Multiplied

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Mark Shields

In the passage Romans 16:17-27, Paul warns against people that cause divisions and put up obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned (v. 17). He said these people are serving themselves and not our Lord.

In other words, watch out for smooth talkers and deceivers serving their own appetites. Be wise in what you read, what you see, and what you do. Gather evidence of the mysterious living Christ and pass it on to others.

God’s wisdom, purpose, and mystery is all related since He knows everything, sees everything, and controls everything from beginning to end. What is written about in the Old Testament comes true in the New! There is strength in the gospel because the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit are working together and all believers are bound together using their individual strengths to serve others.

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This day with You God, we are on a firm foundation because of the strength of the Gospel message. We take in the lessons and apply them to life. We share from generation to generation so that wisdom is multiplied as the years go by. We gain wisdom through Your Word, the experiences we go through, and by passing this wisdom on to others. We demonstrate our gratefulness in our songs, in our prayers, and in our good deeds. Amen.

 

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One Body to Make the Ministry Work

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Mark Shields

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. – Romans 12:5

In the post “Communication for the Lord’s Work”, brought out is the idea of each member of the church being connected and the importance of having those behind the scenes making a ministry work.

There is no better time to put this idea to work with the latest technology that allows us to study God’s Word and share thoughts. We can worship from any place or anytime with songs like this one: How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin.

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Communication for the Lord’s Work

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Mark Shields

Reading Romans 16:1-16, Paul shows personal concern for the Roman Christians by offering encouragement, giving credit to church leaders, and asking for unity in the Lord’s work. The characteristics of the people Paul mentions in this passage are hardworking, faithful, and courageous.

Paul reveals that he is aware of how each member of the church is connected and the importance of having those behind the scenes making the ministry work. In Romans 12:5, it was explained how many form one body to carry out the Lord’s work.

Working on the technical support team and media at my church, I have the opportunity to view the various parts of the worship service and appreciate the many people working together to make it happen.

If you are like me, there are so many things I would like to do but just don’t have time. Today with the use of technology, we can share our thoughts and pray with people all over the world. We can have Bible study or listen to a sermon at any place or time.

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As we continue reading this letter written by Paul to the Romans, we can understand how the written word allows communication to happen even when all can’t attend at the same time or in the same place. It’s an economical way to give credit, encourage, and unify for the Lord’s work.

This day with You Lord, the time we spend in Your Word, reflection, and our time in prayer is of essence. We ask that we make every minute count and we are thankful for all the hardworking people behind the scenes to carry out Your work. Amen.

 

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