No Fear – He is Near

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Mark Shields

The post “Strength for the Journey” is about Paul sharing with the people that our God is an Awesome God. He is our strength and our greatest asset is not in being like everyone else but in being who we are; a precious child of God.

We are never alone because He goes before us, He is with us, and His Spirit lives in us. Because of these facts, we have unlimited potential because of His unlimited potential. It is up to us to realize how God can use us to spread the Good News.

Today’s inspirational video is about this help God gives to pull us through anything. He takes our burdens and puts them on His shoulders. There is no fear – He is near: Shoulders – For King and Country.


God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1

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Strength for the Journey

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Mark Shields

Paul and his companions set out for their first missionary journey from Paphos Cyprus to Perga and then to Pisidian Antioch. In Acts 13:13-41 we are told about Paul preaching at a synagogue. He reminded his listeners of all that God had done for them since leading them out of the land of Egypt. He went on to remind them about the Savior God sent who the rulers in Jerusalem had put to death on the Cross. On the third day, God raised Him from the tomb.

The main point of Paul’s sermon was that our strength is in God who helped Moses lead and who also raised Jesus from death on the cross. This strength and power of God is available to all who believe that Christ is Savior. The people in the synagogue accepted the Good News preached by Paul about this great power and freedom from sin we have.

The message we have for those around us today should have this same message of Good News. God is our strength and will pull us through anything. Sometimes we may feel like there is no way but with God there is a way and His way is the best way. Like with Paul who set out on the first Missionary Journey through dangerous territory, we can be confident that God will lift us up and pull us through.

This day with God, know that our help comes from the same ONE who helped Moses lead the people out of Egypt. The same ONE who raised Jesus to life after death on the cross. He thinks you are AWESOME so focus on what you can do with God’s help and not on what seems impossible. You are not alone and what seems to be impossible will become possible.

Lord, help us make the Word a part of who we are and what we do. Lift us up today on Your shoulders so we can see the big picture. You are our greatest power. Our greatest strength is the work You do deep down in our soul. We ask that we just be the person You made us to be so that those around us will pick up on how You work in our lives and desire the same for their lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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Never Hurry

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Mark Shields

The Ninth message in the sermon series titled “Never-Never Land” was presented last weekend at the church I worship at. The title of the sermon was “Never Hurry”.

When Jesus was at the home of Martha and Mary as written in Luke 10, we learn that Martha focused on what was urgent but Mary put her attention on what was significant. She was not in a hurry because her focus was on something eternal; her relationship with Jesus.

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No Need to Cower For We Have a Great Power

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Mark Shields

In the post, The Courage to Walk against the Enemy, the photo I used was of this small cat walking in front of a line of dogs. It made me remember when a small kitten showed up at our house a couple of years ago. We have a big dog but the cat was not afraid of anything.

Later, we found out that our neighbors had gotten a new kitten and it was their kitten. After thinking about this experience, it hit me that the kitten was not afraid because it had a home. It had a home with food, shelter, and love just like we should not be afraid because Jesus has provided a home for each of us.

We can face our fears with boldness because the power of the Holy Spirit is with us. We can walk down a dark and painful road because of this power and the security of God’s promise of a home in paradise for each of us. Join in the praise today with today’s video: Same Power – Jeremy Camp.


The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

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The Courage to Walk Against the Enemy

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Mark Shields

Saul, Barnabas, and John Mark set out to spread the Gospel message to the island of Cyprus. In Acts 13:4-12, they proclaimed God’s Word in the Jewish synagogues and traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos (v. 6). They met the proconsul or governor there who was interested in hearing about God’s Word but Elymas the sorcerer opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith (v. 8).

Then Saul who was filled with the Holy Spirit was given insight into the motives of the fortune-teller named Elymas who was trying to keep the gospel message from the governor. Saul boldly stood up against Elymas with the Holy Spirit actively working in him to bring blindness on the fortune-teller.

From this point on Saul was called Paul. This same power that Paul demonstrated gives us the courage to stand out in a dark world that is very troubling at times. We can be courageous in dark times to shine the light because we are protected and cradled as a cherished child of God.

This day with You Lord, we are confident that You are active in our world and are working with us to spread the light in a sometimes dark world. There are those against us but the Holy Spirit is actively working in us. We are filled with faith and this faith powerfully radiates a glowing light so that others will believe and join with us. We are very thankful that You have given us this same power that Paul demonstrated in today’s lesson. Amen.

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