No Fear since He is Near

As recorded in Psalm 27 , there is no fear when we feel God is near. Like David says, “the Lord is our light, our salvation, and our stronghold”. David’s single desire was that he may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life (v. 4). He wanted to learn God’s way and be led down the straight path (v. 11).

We can all pray a similar prayer today. When we dream about what is needed, then we begin to believe it will happen. We then develop plans and know what steps to take. We take those steps and become more confident that our dream will come true.

I remember playing baseball in high school. The day before a tournament, our coach gave a talk about a guy who was a great golfer. He came down with an illness and was directed by his doctor to stay in bed for two weeks. Concerned that he would lose his edge for a major tournament coming up, he decided to practice in his mind.

Each ball he hit in his mind was perfect; straight down the fairway and further than he had ever hit a ball before. Over and over each day while he lay in bed, he played rounds of golf. After the weeks had gone by, the doctor then declared the golfer was over his illness. The golfer then went out to the golf course the first chance he got and shot the best round of golf in his life.

I took this inspiring story from my baseball coach and applied it to hitting a baseball. In batting practice before the first game of the tournament, I was seeing the ball good and hitting it solid. The first at bat, I saw the ball coming towards me and hit it solid. It jumped off the bat and went over the right field fence.

Friends, we can do the same today by practicing in our minds the type of life we would like to live. Here is a poem today about my home run to motivate us today to hit home runs for God.

Getting a jump on my day
and ready to write my story.
To be at my best today
and ready to bring Him glory.
 
Looking at the wall;
waiting for the pitch.
Then focused on the ball
and seeing every stitch.
 
The pitch is right in my zone.
There is no pressure at all.
For my mind has already shown
that the ball goes over the wall.
 
Getting a jump on my day
and ready to write my story.
To be at my best today
and ready to bring Him glory. 

Poem By Mark Shields – © 6-08-2013
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The Week Ahead

This week, we will be sharing some thoughts from the study of Psalm 27-28.

Below are some questions for reflection 

Psalm 27
What do you learn about fear from this psalm? What is the singular desire of David? What do you want more than anything else? What is the relationship between seeing and believing in the Christian Life?

Psalm 28
What problem does David bring before God? How can you make verses 6-7 your own prayer? This day, are there issues or problems you are currently going through that you have not lifted up before God in prayer?

Believe that God has a great plan for you.

It all starts with receiving a plan from God through faithful, consistent, and powerful prayer. Here is a video/poem to inspire you this day and throughout the week: This Day with God. 

Index of Devotionals

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Seeing is Believing

Being at your best in a sport, requires not only the physical aspects of the sport but also the mental aspect. This same requirement is also involved in being the best we can be in life. This poem is about a golfer that becomes sick but plays rounds of golf in his mind while getting better.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

There once was a golfer;
could shoot way under parr
but then he became sick;
thought he’d never be star.

He laid in his bed
for weeks on end
playing great golf
but only pretend.

Weeks went by;
hitting the perfect shot;
dreaming all the time;
giving it all he got.

When over the sickness
several weeks later;
to the golf course he went;
shot his best round ever.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 01-05-2017
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Freedom Found by Laying Burdens Down

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness. – Titus 2:7

In the post “Freedom is Found”, the dominant theme is the importance of maintaining integrity. Freedom is found when we are honest with ourselves and lay our burdens down at the Cross.

Because of Cross, there is a freedom. A freedom that helps us live, give, and love. A freedom that will speak and teach; laying out a clear path that others can follow.

This day with God, Ask Him to examine your heart and mind. Freedom will be found if you lay your burdens down at the Cross. Just be honest with yourself as pointed out in this song: If We’re Honest – Francesca Battistelli.

Index of devotionals

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Freedom is Found

The dominant theme of Psalm 26 is the importance of maintaining integrity. Unfortunately in society today, there is so much misinformation. Leaders make promises even though they know they can’t keep these promises and it hurts a lot of people.

The actions and attitudes of a man of God should include being open to examination in the areas of obedience, praise, and on relying on His Word for overcoming the obstacles faced in life. Freedom is found when we lay our burdens down at the Cross.

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No one is perfect but everyone can work on their actions and attitudes. When the majority of the people within a society are working toward this end, there are no limits. With God there is a freedom; a freedom that helps us live, give, and love. A freedom that will speak and teach; laying out a clear path that others can follow.

This day with You God, we ask for your help as we complain privately and praise You publically. Let us use gratitude as the password to Your presence. We are grateful for the freedom You give us in Christ. We pray for the ability to learn and apply the principles You give us in the Bible. Search inside our soul and clear out what shouldn’t be there. We trust in You Lord and we ask that others will see the qualities of Your character in us. Amen.

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