Doing the Right Thing

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Mark Shields

The Lord had elected the people of Israel from among all the nations to be His people. He had brought them out of Egypt and they enjoyed a clear advantage that no other nation received. With this relationship came more responsibility to listen and do what He said. Reading in Amos 3, it is clear that they had rejected God and there would be judgment.

Amos prophesizes that a nation would be used by God to bring Judgment. They would overrun their land, pull down their strongholds, and plunder their fortresses (v. 11). The last few verses of this passage suggest that Israel was a nation of affluence and materialism. The winter house along with the summer house would be torn down. The houses adorned with ivory would be destroyed and the mansions would be demolished (v. 15).

Amos justified his prophesying as a call of the Lord (v. 8). Before God acted in judgment, He gave the people a chance to get things right but they no longer knew how and the more they rejected God, the more difficult it was to get going down the right path.

The world today is not that different than during the time of Amos. The world tells a lie when we hear from some that we don’t need God and we can be successful on our own without any help from God. But just as it was during the time of Amos, the plan God has laid out for us by accepting His Son is the only path to victory.

This day with You Lord, we accept the path You have laid out for us. Help us to listen, know the plan, make adjustments in our life if necessary, and take action on doing the right thing. Help us to be in agreement and work together. Without You God, we have no strength but with You there is knowledge and power. You help us to plan out the right things for our day and everything falls into place for an amazing day. Amen

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Priorities

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Mark Shields

For the week ahead, take some time to evaluate your priorities.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

A good football team
studies the competition
by looking at game film
of the opponents mission.
Looking for their tendencies
and we too face competition
which is anything that holds
us back from our own mission.
Things like fear, despair, and hate.
So, study the film called life
to come up with your great plans
for your tomorrows as you strife.
Think with skillful accuracy
and make the needed adjustment
to be in a position for success
using your remarkable judgment.
Develop that untapped potential;
the amazing abundance of talents.
The abilities you have never ever used
by approaching each day with valiance
Each day provides another occasion
to try something never ever tried before
as you appreciate the lessons of the past
looking for opportunities to open a new door.
You can relate the normally unrelated
and see usual things in unusual ways.
You have a passion for new…

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Be Someone Who Chose the One Who Knows

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Mark Shields

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm – Proverbs 12:20

As written about in the post, “Build on a Firm Foundation”, there are consequences when we are associated with those who have turned away from God. Instead, we should build on the firm foundation of His Word which allows us to accumulate knowledge and understanding over time. We should also consistently pray for advice and confidently do what is needed.

I remember one hot summer in July, my daughter heard that a convenience store was having a special on slurpee drinks. The Seven Eleven convenient stores were giving out free slurpees because the date was 7-11. I went into the store and there was a crowd lined up so I followed the crowd. Well, I got my slurpee but ended up getting the wrong size just like everyone else and having to pay for it.

When you follow the crowd, it doesn’t always end up like you want. Instead, let us follow the Lord because He knows what is best for us as described in today’s video: He Knows – Jeremy Camp.


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Build on a Firm Foundation

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Mark Shields

Amos was from Judah (the southern kingdom) and he confronted the northern Israelites in the passage Amos 1-2. They are described as being immoral by Amos because they worship idols, oppress the poor, and provoke war. All this immorality had one thing in common; the rejection of the law of the Lord.

As it was back in the day of Amos, many societies today are building on a weak foundation. Think of the acceptance of abortion which kills over 50 million babies each year worldwide; of the redefinition of marriage; the way nations now pile on debt that has to be paid for by future generations.

When the stock market crashed in the 1930’s, it was because of a bubble that built up and bad loans went out to those who couldn’t pay them back. The same thing happened to a lesser extent in 2008. As we look back at history, humanity seems to fall back into the same old patterns that lead to failure.

That’s why it’s important to take note of the lessons learned in the past. As we study the scripture, there are meaningful lessons we can apply now and refer back to when times get tough. Our present may not seem like a great time but compared to the past, it may be a much better than we thought. The Good News is that there is always hope because of Jesus because we can all receive God’s grace.

Once received, one can gain wisdom to live the way life is meant to be lived. This day with You God, let us learn from the lessons of the past so that 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 lets us down. For this we are truly grateful. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Amos 1-4

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Mark Shields

I’ve posted over the last few weeks on some thoughts from the study of Acts 25-28. We learned that God was the source of Paul’s courage. The courage to admit that he once persecuted Christians and the courage to talk about controversial issues even when placed in a very difficult situation. 

Paul had faith in God during his missionary travels to Rome and this faith helped when going through the storms at sea. His faith influenced others and this led to good judgment, confidence, and composure. After coming ashore on the island of Malta, the islanders showed kindness to those from the ship; building a fire for them to warm them up. The benefit from kindness is that it can be passed and returned. Like when Paul prayed for the sick and when the islanders returned this kindness with needed supplies as they set sail again.

In Acts 23:11, Paul was promised that he would one day testify in Rome and we see here that God was faithful. Christ in your heart is a promised treasure that will take care of you in your time of need. The church had expanded from Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, and into Rome. In thirty years, it had grown from just a few churches into tens of thousands. Though Paul was under house arrest, the Gospel message could not be bound or chained. 

What should you do when people don’t understand or accept God’s message? One idea written about in the post “Discover What You Do Best” is to discover your God given strengths and use them so that people are able to make an association between the Good News and their needs.

The objective of any Bible study should be to not only learn the main principles of the Word but to keep the Word in our thoughts in order to apply them in our life. I will continue this objective with a study in the book of Amos 1-4 over the next few weeks. The aim is to plant the seeds of faith, hope, and love in order to yield fruit that nourishes others.

I invite you to join me over the next few weeks as I step ahead using the questions below to inspire thoughts and ideas. God will give us the upper hand by producing in us the heart of a champion.

Amos 1-2
What are the sins evoking God’s judgment. What do they have in common? Are you building your life on a solid foundation or on lies that lead to a weak foundation? What inevitable consequences follow when a person or group turn away from God? 

Amos 3
What relationship does God have with Israel? How does God bring Judgment? What do the closing verses suggest about the affluence and materialism of Israel (See 6:4-7)? 

Amos 4
In addition to the destruction of their cities and homes what will happen to the people of Israel because of their sin? How has God warned Israel before its final destruction? Is there a need now to return to the Lord? If so, what can be corrected in order to be redirected? 

The above reading plan 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! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ.

When we accept Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit is our companion and it’s exciting to think about what the future holds. Last week, we celebrated the birthday of Jesus and now we will continue the celebration throughout upcoming year because of the gift God has given us.

With God, we can get through anything, we can patiently grind it out during difficulties or give Him credit when the impossible is made possible. Beyond that, we can celebrate because of the victory we will always have with Him.

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God. 

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times
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