The Way

Posted on February 12, 2017 by Mark Shields

This poem was inspired from the sermon last week at the place I worship. This week’s sermon will be live at 10:50 Central time on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fumcwaco/?fref=ts

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Jesus made community personal
By selecting twelve to be confidants.
To bond together as His apostles
And share the grace He grants.

Jesus made Himself available;
Always a part of a community
So that when two or more gather,
He is among them in unity.

Jesus uses community
To develop our devotion;
Getting people on track
And setting us in motion.

Jesus wants His love
To always be demonstrated
By the way we have loved;
By the way we have related.

The Lord’s Supper is an occasion
Of joy for the Christian Community
So look forward to communion
Each and every opportunity.

Poem By Mark Shields – © 02-11-2017
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Poem Inspired from sermon “Jesus Showed us the Way, 02-05-2017
Ramsdell, Steve. “Sermons.” FUMC Waco. Web. 11 Feb. 2017. <http://fumcwaco.org>.

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Stand Firm and Hold Fast to the Teachings

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Mark Shields

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. – 2 Thessalonians 2:15 

The thoughts brought out in the post “Learn and Apply the Principles” were inspired by the study of Paul teaching the Thessalonians. We not only have the advantage of history to look back on but can now read what is stated in the Bible and know it has come about.

Even in the area of science, what was written in the Bible has come to pass. Areas such as dealing with stars, the ocean, and how the earth is shaped. What was not known by humanity at the time the words were written have since been proven to be true.

Cheer up today and receive this inspirational video Solid as the Rock by Avalon and know that the truths found in the Bible are indeed solid as a rock.


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Learn and Apply the Principles

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Mark Shields

Paul gives a warning to the Thessalonians regarding Christ’s return in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. He tells them not to be deceived by those who assert that the day of the Lord has already come (v. 2). No one knows the time or place of His return but when He does, the evil one will be destroyed.

The Holy Spirit restrains evil in the world but some day evil will be removed. Then there will be happenings and attitudes that will precede Christ’s return. There will be rebellion and the antichrist will be revealed to exalt himself over everything.

In the meantime, believers should be prepared always and do all that can be done to spread the Good News. Every believer has the responsibility to not only believe the truth but to stand fast during opposition.

Believers should not only hear the Word but live out the Word. Let us cheer up and inspire each other with examples of how God works, the beauty of His creation, and help all people love the truth.

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This day with You Lord, we pray for the ability to highlight the good that Your people do and the kind acts they demonstrate. We pray to learn and apply the principles You give us in the Bible. We ask that You search inside our soul and clear out what shouldn’t be there. Lord, we are cheerful today because we know that You are already victorious. In Jesus name. Amen.

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Go After What is Most Important

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Mark Shields

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10

Shared in the post “Make Perplexities and Confusions into Amazing results and Conclusions”, Paul prayed for the Thessalonians as they faced complex issues in their day.

Although the issues may be different, we also face complexities today. The great benefit of technology is to simplify task so we can spend more time doing the things that are most important in life.

But the challenge is to balance everything so that the most important task are accomplished. Therefore, there is a great need to study our priorities; go after what is most important and then like the domino effect, our items on the task list start to fall one after another.

This day will be amazing because of who God is and who you are; an important name in history – one of His children. To get on the right track toward those important tasks today, here is an inspirational video: How You Live – Point of Grace.


Index of devotionals

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Make Perplexities and Confusions into Amazing Results and Conclusions

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Mark Shields

Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians because their faith was growing more and more, and their love for each other continued to increase (v. 3). Reading more in 2 Thessalonians 1, Paul boasted about them because of their perseverance even under all the persecutions and trials they endured. One day, the wrongs done by those who persecute will be righted by God. The future for the unbeliever is one of judgment (v. 6) but there is a glorious future for the believer.

We have never been promised a life that is easy but when we do face trials, we can have faith that our struggles will make us ready for each challenge in order to glorify our Lord. We are not to live for the present but for a glorious future.  Within this passage, Paul says he would pray constantly for the Thessalonians until Christ’s return. He prays for their growth in faith so that the Lord Jesus may be glorified in in how they live.

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Lord, this day we also pray to be worthy of Your calling; prompted by faith and fulfilling good purposes with the power of the Holy Spirit. Lord, we are confident that You can make perplexities and confusions into amazing results and conclusions. We pray for the power to glorify Your name today. Amen.

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