Victory

Posted on July 3, 2016 by Mark Shields

Celebrate the victory today!

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Pulling for the cherished
local sports teams
but the only thing,
they lose it seems.

It is better pulling
for God’s great team
since final victory
is the main theme.

The gathering place
for His faithful people
is a wonderful place
under the steeple.

The championship
Is a place called Heaven
for all who will receive
His ultimate blessing.

The faithful followers
are assured of power
so the fruits of the Spirit
continue to flower.

There is control over worry
to improve your health
by believing in His son
and receiving spiritual wealth.

For He has provided
the Spirit of His Son
so accept in your heart
where the victory is done.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 06-30-2016
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Be the Person He Created You to Be

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Mark Shields

The third 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 – Just Like Us”.

Throughout the journey of life, we can have good days and bad days. During the bumpy ride, try not to focus on the negative but ask for help, keep working hard, be faithful, and know the outcome is in God’s hands. In the meantime, be the person God made you to be and know that the Lord is with you to a joyful end.

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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Visions of Hope Become Actions of a Blessed Reality

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Mark Shields

In the post “Paying Attention to Your Dreams”, written about was Paul’s vision of the man of Macedonia. Paul received this vision as he was sharing God’s Word on his missionary journey and was not sure which direction they should go. Should they share God’s word in Asia or in Europe?

Paul and his companions immediately followed the direction of the Holy Spirit and went towards Macedonia in Europe. We should take this lesson and also pay attention to our dreams and take action. God blesses those who seek His advice and follow through on His guidance.

This day with God will be amazing if we put His guidance into practice. Receive inspiration from this video: What Can I Do – Paul Baloche and put all your hope in God to guide you into the right places at the right time today. Hear and visualize the direction or plans received from God today. Then carry out these plans so that your visions of hope become actions of a blessed reality.


Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. – Proverbs 29:18

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Paying Attention to Dreams

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Mark Shields

Reading in Acts 16:6-10, Paul and his companions are guided by the Holy Spirit as they travel preaching the Word. Paul and his companions were headed to Asia but the Holy Spirit held them back from going there.

We are told of a vision that Paul has during the night of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him to come over to Macedonia to help them (v. 9). Immediately, Paul and his companions got ready to go to Macedonia. Luke probably joins Paul as indicated by the “we” in verse 10 of Acts 16.

The Holy Spirit is with us today. Seek the direction given and with faith pray for the Spirit of Christ to lead. When the Holy Spirit gives us a vision, we should react in the same manner Paul and his companions did; with no hesitation.

I like to write inspirational poems. With poetry, thoughts can be narrowed down in just a few lines in a way that helps us take the guidance of the Holy Spirit and apply this guidance into actions. Here is a poem that I put into a video a while back: Blessings Throughout Each Hour.



This day with You Lord, we seek the direction You give us for a blessed day. As You give us instructions, there will be no hesitation because we have faith. As we meditate on the Word and pray today, we are open to Your Spirit leading us. We know this day will be amazing because we are putting Your guidance into practice. Amen.

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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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