Decisions

Posted on March 18, 2017 by Mark Shields

This poem was inspired after reading Joshua 7-12

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

When God is with you,
everything is good
but separated,
it’s not as it should.

That’s the reason
all sin He suspends
for on the cross
He made the amends.

Victory comes when
the Lord is with you
and sets you up
with great things to do.

Consider His way
in preparing this day
for the challenges
that will come your way.

Let God be a part
of all decisions;
the ONE who approves
all the great visions.

Visions of a job,
a husband or wife;
of a family
or anything in life.

When you let God drive
wherever you go
and see Him at work,
confidence will grow.

Victories will come
as you give your best;
enthusiasm
to meet every test.

Think of a forecast;
how data is sought
to make decisions;
informed like they ought.

And how God is involved
in a future that’s bright
so keep on…

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ONE True God

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Mark Shields

I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from …the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me. – Exodus 20:2-3

The first battle at Ai was not a success because Joshua and the Israelites were not in sync with God. They lacked gratefulness and they lacked focus. Sometimes we do not appreciated what we have as much when things are going good and we lose our focus.

In our technological world today, all the systems must be in sync to operate correctly. It’s the same with our spiritual life. Sometimes we just need to be synced up to the ONE that provides what we need; the ONE True God.

I hope today’s song I Am by Mark Schultz will get you synced up with our Creator and I hope the victories will keep coming your way today. 


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Prepared for Battle

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Mark Shields

Joshua had gained a great victories when God was with him like at Jericho but then found out that past victories do not guarantee future victories when a soldier disobeyed a command. God then turned away from the Israelites and the result was a defeat at Ai. Reading in Joshua 8, a plan was received by Joshua from God to attack Ai for a second time.

The plan was to set an ambush by sending some soldiers on the north side of the city while others were stationed on the west side. As the king of Ai and his soldiers went after Joshua’s soldiers on the north side of the city, Joshua’s soldiers on the west side advanced into the city, captured it, and set it on fire.

Joshua obtained this strategy for victory by listening to instructions from God. Victory came because God was with them and had set things up for them. The lesson for us is to pay attention to God so we are prepared for what challenges the world brings our way.

Israel gained this victory because Joshua had learned from his first blunder and decided to humbly follow God who gave him a second chance. After the victory, Joshua built an altar to the Lord. This day, let us also remember the victories and build a winning tradition by paying attention to God’s plan, setting out to follow the plan, and continuing to learn lessons throughout life.

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Who Can Be Against Us

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Mark Shields

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God be with us, who can be against us? – Romans 8:31

In the post “When Life Falls Apart”, shared were thoughts after reading Joshua 7 and how Joshua gained a great victory at Jericho but then found out that past victories do not guarantee future victories. He had a soldier that disobeyed a command and this caused God to turn away from the Israelites.

The result was a defeat at the next battle. Back in the day of Joshua, atonement was the death of the soldier and his whole family. In current times, we have the luxury of a much easier way because through Jesus, God has smoothed out the path so that returning back to Him is much easier. All we have to do is be humble, accept Jesus in our heart, and let God provide the power. Then there is a freedom and we can get the most out of life.

Everyone needs God’s grace. Once received, one can gain wisdom to live the way life is meant to be lived. As the main point given to us in the song Dear Younger Me by MercyMe, our tomorrows can be better than our yesterdays and today can be amazing because 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.


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When Life Falls Apart

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Mark Shields

Victory was given to the Israelites at the battle of Jericho but because Achan had taken the devoted things like silver, gold, cattle, and donkeys, God allowed all of Israel to be defeated at Ai, which was near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel.  Joshua faced this failure by going to God in prayer as explained in Joshua 7.

When God was with the Israelites, life was good like at Jericho. When they were separated, life was one big unexpected and demoralizing failure like the battle at Ai. This lesson can be applied in current times and fortunately there is a way for us to regain our favor when life falls apart.

Atonement was complicated back in the time of Joshua. The way to restore favor with God was not only the destruction of the stolen goods but also the stoning of Achan and his entire family (v. 25).

In today’s passage, we learned that one victory did not guarantee future victories for Joshua and his army. It’s the same for us in current times but fortunately the Cross has provided a straightforward route to victory.

Lord, this day we are grateful that Christ died for our sins and we don’t have to go through the type of atonement people had to go through during the time of Joshua. You have made the path back to You much easier so that our trials always can lead to triumphs. In Jesus name. Amen.  

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