Finding Missing Pieces can Lead to Tremendous Increases

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Mark Shields

Working with computer systems, many times things don’t go as they should because one piece is missing. Like a recipe, all the ingredients must be there and applied like the instructions tell you.

One time, I was setting up this system and doing some testing but I just couldn’t figure out why the bar code was not printing on a document we send out through our mail machine. Eventually, after spending some time going through all the pieces and asking for a fellow worker to go through it with me, we found one piece of code that was missing. When this code was included, everything worked.

You might have that missing piece for someone that may make their life easier and this might make all the difference between helping them have a good day or a bad day. The words you say or the ideas you give can make all the difference and we need all kinds of people on our team, especially in our complicated world in which we live today.

Here is a video using a country song and the students of a Jr High to explain the importance of all kinds of people. A good team, good school, or good company requires all kinds of people working together; using individual skills to help lead to success. Enjoy today’s video: All Kinds of Kinds – North Park Jr High – Miranda Lambert.


May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! – Romans 15:5-6  

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The Advantages of Teamwork

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Mark Shields

John had left them and had gone back to Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 13:13. Now in reading Acts 15:36-16:5 , John was ready to return but this caused contention between Paul and Barnabas. So much contention that they decided to team up with different people. Barnabas teamed up with John Mark and went to Cyprus. Paul teamed up with Silas and went north through Syria into Cilicia.

Even though Paul and Barnabas choose to separate, they continued to work with another person thus gaining the advantage teamwork brings when each is contributing with their strengths. They also needed someone to pray with and share God’s workings.

Timothy then joined Paul and Silas. Remember earlier in this Chapter about the controversy of circumcision and that a decision was made that it was not necessary to be circumcised in order to be saved. Timothy had a Greek father and was not circumcised. You may be thinking that Paul compromised but for Paul, it was not an issue of salvation. It was about service and not giving any offense to the Jews who they were trying to reach.

Working together may not always be easy and there may be disagreement but God has the big picture so that each person or team is used to accomplish His work. As a result of Paul and Barnabas going in separate directions, there were now two missionary teams doing God’s work instead of one.

This day with God, remember that when two or more are gathered together doing good, there is another at work which gives extra energy and power. It’s not just two minds but a third, the “Holy Spirit” at work giving ideas and direction to fixing problems or finding solutions.

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Acts 16-18

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Mark Shields

The last few weeks were spent in the Book of Acts 13-15. The church was growing fast and they faced opposition. As Paul set out on his first missionary journey to share the Good News, disagreements occurred as to how a person is saved. The church leaders wrote out a plan to handle these disagreements. As we go on our missionary journey through life, we face the same challenges so I wrote this poem to inspire us along this journey.

Worship, fast, and pray;
get a spiritual refill
in order to take action
on God’s perfect will.
 
Have the courage to stand up
against those that oppose
by being filled with faith
so that confidence grows.
 
Make the Word a part
of who you are
and what you do
so you can go far.
 
Others pick up on it
and desire this power
for their lives so they
never ever cower.
 
Share the Good News
and keep an open door
so they will come;
enthused to hear more.
 
Keep on going
and never give up
for some will wish to 
cause a shakeup.
 
Some will wish
to believe in idols
but there is only ONE
true God in the Bible.
 
Overcome the enemy
by simplifying and unifying;
being a follower of Christ
who helps in our applying.

Come to a decision
on any problem
by consulting the ONE
so very awesome.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 06-23-2016

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 over the next few weeks of Acts 16-18. 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.  

Acts 15:36-16:5
What causes sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas (See Verse 13:13)? Why do you think, do Paul and Barnabas choose to work with someone else rather than alone? How can you reconcile Paul’s action regarding Timothy with the decision of the apostles and elders in chapter 15?

Acts 16:6-10
What indicates that Luke probably joins Paul at this time? How is Paul guided to cross over from Asia into Europe with the gospel? In what ways does God guide you to the right places?

Acts 16:11-24
What kind of place is Philippi? Does doing the will of God necessarily exclude trouble? How do Paul and Silas respond to the discouraging circumstances of verse 22-24? How can God advance the gospel through your troubles?

Acts 17:1-15
What is Paul’s method of teaching? What is the result of his teaching? What ideas do you have for making Christ known to others?

Acts 17:1-15
What different kinds of people does Paul meet in Athens? What are their interests and beliefs (contrast the Epicurean and Stoic philosophies)?

Acts 18:1-11
How does God lead Paul in Corinth with regard to housing, activity, and length of stay?  Do you seek God’s guidance in these areas of life? In what ways have you experienced God’s protection from opposition?

Acts 18:12-28
Of what do the Jews accuse Paul? What gifts does Apollos have? What does Apollos do with his new knowledge? What do you do with the enlarged understanding you receive about God?

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.

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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Consulting the ONE so very Awesome

Posted on June 25, 2016 by Mark Shields

As we go on this journey called life, we face many challenges and this poem was written to inspire us along this journey.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Worship, fast, and pray;
get a spiritual refill
in order to take action
on God’s perfect will.

Have the courage to stand up
against those that oppose
by being filled with faith
so that confidence grows.

Make the Word a part
of who you are
and what you do
so you can go far.

Others pick up on it
and desire this power
for their lives so they
never ever cower.

Share the Good News
and keep an open door
so they will come;
enthused to hear more.

Keep on going
and never give up
for some will wish to
cause a shakeup.

Some will wish
to believe in idols
but there is only ONE
true God in the Bible.

Overcome the enemy
by simplifying and unifying;
being a follower of Christ
who helps in our applying.

Come to a decision
on any problem
by consulting the ONE
so very…

View original post 10 more words

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Sermon Thoughts – Walking with God through the Wilderness

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Mark Shields

The second message in the sermon series titled “Man vs. Wild” was presented last weekend at the church I worship at. The title of the sermon was “Elijah – Walking with God through the Wilderness”.

Just like in the day of Elijah when they created many gods, the gods we create like money, sports, our job, and even our family are full of promises we can’t keep but the ONE true God has come through on a promise through His Son which has opened the door to an awesome future.

To see the worship service live each Sunday morning, just click this link: Worship Service on Facebook. Then look for the latest post where it says “Live Sermon”. To watch a sermon anytime or place, type in “Live Sermon” in the “Search for posts on this Page” box on the upper left side.

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