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The Way to Assuring a Great Day

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Mark Shields

Reading in Amos 4, we are told of the impending destruction of cities and homes within Israel as God’s judgment is carried out. The people are being warned before God acts 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 people of Israel were warned that they would face the same wrath of the past like famine, drought, insects, and plagues (verses 6-11). They needed a correction, redirection, and a return to the Lord. The same warning still applies to us today.

The journey of life without God can prove to be one big bumpy road. Instead, the path could be smooth if each of us would desire a return to the ONE who formed the mountains, created the wind, and continues to reveal His thoughts to us.

Below are some thoughts/ideas on what can be done. Here are four steps to the Way to assuring a great day. Imagine a world in which 80% of the people practiced this on a daily basis.

Focus on tasks that God would have you to do today
Embrace the power of the Holy Spirit to give you the ability to make what seems impossible … possible
Make sure you are inspired and uplifted as you start each day
Ask in prayer for direction on the three to five things you need to get done

Father God, we are grateful for Your lessons of the past in which we can apply to our present and future. What You give to us is a plan for life which is a treasure and the more we lose ourselves in this plan, the more passion we will have. We have faith that it will be an amazing day because we are focused on the tasks You would have us do, we have embraced Your power, we are starting this day with inspiration, and we are now setting out to get a few things done that will glorify Your name. Amen.

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Posted in Bible Study, Prayer | Tagged Bible Study, Holy Spirit, Inspiration, Judgment, Lord, Prayer | Leave a comment

Correction and Redirection

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Mark Shields

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? – Proverbs 20:24

In the post, “Doing the Right Thing”, written about was how Israel was heading down the wrong path and that God’s judgment would come upon that nation. In many ways, the world today is not that different than during the time of Amos.

A lesson learned is that we need to listen, know God’s plan for us, make adjustments in life if necessary, and take action on doing the right thing. Here’s a video that highlights these thoughts and inspires us to do the right thing: Come Let Us Return to the Lord – Matt Redman.

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Posted in Accurate Thinking, Devotionals | Tagged Bible Study, Faith, Good News, Grace, Inspiration, Jesus, Life, Lord, Prayer, victory | Leave a comment

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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Posted in Accurate Thinking, Bible Study | Tagged Bible Study, Faith, Good News, Grace, Jesus, Life, Lord, Prayer, victory | Leave a comment

Priorities

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Mark Shields

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

Step 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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Posted in Poems | Tagged Competition, Discovery, Football, Life, Mission, Plans, Potential, Priorities, Skills, Success, Talents | 2 Comments

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.