Tough Times Bring Sure Signs

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Mark Shields

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Sometimes we get conflicting guidance just like I wrote about in the post “Sure Signs”. Getting advice from others can be good but knowing the will of God gives a clearer picture that others may not be able to see.

When it all comes down to it, daily prayer and Bible study are so important in knowing the will of God. It’s all about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. That is our highest priority and even if we go through tough times, God will give a sure sign that will keep us on the right track.

Take inspiration from today’s video: Heart of Worship – Matt Redman. 



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Sure Signs

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Mark Shields

Paul and his friends did not want him to go to Jerusalem since a prophet named Agabus explained in Acts 21:7-16 that the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem would hand Paul over to the Gentiles. Possible prison and hardships faced Paul however he knew that the Holy Spirit was leading him to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus had for him; the task of testifying to the Good News of God’s grace (See Acts 20:22-24).

Getting advice from others is good but sometimes this advice conflicts with the will of God. The thing to do is to pray, take in the Spirits’ directions for your life, and form a clear picture. This picture from God may be a vision that He gives only to you and others may not be able to see.

Four Steps to the “Following the Way” and having a great day:

  • Focus on task that God would have you to do today
  • Embrace the power of the Spirit giving you the ability to make what seems impossible possible
  • Make sure you are inspired and uplifted as you start each day
  • Ask God at the start of each day the top three to five things you need to get done

This day Lord, we might get conflicting directions from our friends. Help us to stay on track by coming to You daily and sorting out the situations we face. Lord, at times we want to take the easy way out to bypass unpleasantness but help us to know that the problems we go through in life are not stop signs; they are guidelines and it is during tough times that You provide sure signs of a brighter future. In Jesus Name. Amen.

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Care and Share

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Mark Shields

In the post “Stirring Each Other Up”, I shared some thoughts on actively seeking out others to care about and share God’s Word with at our places of work, in our neighborhoods, or at the schools we attend. 

The lost get found by taking every opportunity to care about each other and to share about Christ. Whether it is at lunch break sharing about God’s Word, helping a neighbor, or meeting people on a road trip as Britt Nicole did in this video: The Lost Get Found – Britt Nicole, we are giving glory to God by reaching out to others right where we are. 


Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. – Matthew 28:19-20 

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Stirring Each Other Up

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Mark Shields

Paul and his party left Ephesus and headed to Tyre. In Acts 21:1-6, we are told that as soon as they landed from the voyage that had lasted about a week, Paul set out immediately to seek a Bible teaching church.

As we live out each day, we can take this lesson of actively seeking out other Christians at the place where we work, in our neighborhood, or at the school we attend. With the Internet, we can also seek out other Christian blogs and take every opportunity to learn from each other.

Many times, I eat lunch at work with a group of guys that sit together and on this one occasion, a fellow employee was asking some questions he had about God’s Word.  I was able to share some of my thoughts and give him the link to this blog.

In today’s passage, Paul was head set on returning to Jerusalem but the Christians at Tyre warned Paul not to go there (v. 4). One good reason we should actively seek out other Christians is to keep us on track and to stir each other up to continuing to follow God’s will in our lives.

Decision making is much easier when we are confident that we are following the will of God. This day with You Lord, we are getting ready for the challenge of this day and we are now going to You in prayer. For You are the ONE who created it all and know all things. We ask that this day we passionately seek out opportunities to meet others who are interested in growing in Your Word. We ask that we stir each other up to boldly step ahead. In Jesus name. Amen.

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The Week Ahead

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Mark Shields

This week, we will be sharing some thoughts from the study of Acts 21.

Here are some questions for reflection to be used in the study of Acts 21:1-6:
What initiative does Paul take at Tyre? In what ways and for what reasons do you actively seek out other Christians? What qualities of fellowship are revealed?

Questions for reflection in the study of Acts 21:7-16:
How do Paul’s friends feel about him going to Jerusalem? Why? When the advice of Christian friends conflicts with your own conviction, what do you do? When and in what kind of situations do you usually take the easy way out to bypass unpleasantness?

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 this day and throughout the week: This Day with God. 



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