Sermon Thoughts

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Mark Shields

A new sermon series started at the church I worship titled “Questions Jesus Asked”.  This past Sunday, the message “Wouldn’t You Leave the Ninety-Nine” was delivered. Here is a link to the podcast which is live at 9:30 central time each Sunday morning or can be seen at any time or place thereafter at this Link: Sermon Podcast.

Jesus came because we needed a guide to help us follow the Way and not slide. He came as a servant to identify with us and thus He knows how hard life can be. He came to love us unconditionally and to die for you and me. This weekend, share a thought from one of the great sermons in your community or from a podcast.

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Seeking to Win More Souls for God

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Mark Shields

I’m studying in Acts 8 about the early church being persecuted and scattered. History has a way of repeating itself but somehow we seem to not learn the lessons of the past. I remember one time putting an office chair together. It was a struggle because the screw holes didn’t line up. I was able to get three out of four screws secured but the fourth one just wouldn’t fit.

When things don’t line up, we don’t have a chance for success. It’s the same with a direction of a nation. If the plan for the future doesn’t fit with what God wants, it’s not going to work. In the post “Petition for Strong Leadership”, I wrote about the need for nations to have leaders who build the future as “One Nation Under God”.

As individuals and as a nation, the plan for the future has to line up with what God has laid out. It is only when it does that we are assured of positive results. So, this day, share with others God’s Plan for Us.

Take inspiration from today’s video as we passionately seek to win more souls for God: Set A Fire – Will Reagan & United Pursuit Band.


I wait on the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His Word I hope. – Psalm 37:4 

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Petition for Strong Leadership

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Mark Shields

What may seem to be a negative can turn into a positive with God! In Acts 8:1-25 we are told the church was persecuted and scattered. At first, this seems like a negative but God uses this negative and turns it into a positive because it caused those who had been scattered to preach the Word wherever they went. This resulted in the Word of God growing in many more places throughout the world.

Think about the world today. Everyone is reporting about the decline in Christianity in the United States and while that may be true, let us think about the world as a whole. Christianity is expanding in Africa; in China where the government does not allow churches, we get reports that there is a growing underground church.

What may seem like a negative can be turned into a positive today if young people are told more about the days when the church in the United Sates was stronger and how this led to great success in our country. We had leaders that believed in “One Nation Under God” who stood up to groups that tried to take us in the wrong direction. The current situation can change fast with good leaders who are willing to take on the challenges and accept God’s guidance as “One Nation Under God”.

This day with You Lord, we petition for Your power in each of our lives so we step out and take on challenges with confidence. We think about the possibilities You give with Your power. We pray for the faith to overcome what competes with You in our culture and for leaders that patiently follow Your will. Your power is granted because of Jesus Christ who we have accepted. The power is the gift of the Holy Spirit and as we share with others, we pray that our culture will reflect more of Your greatness; providing a better example for nations of this world to follow.

Lord, we come to You today in prayer after reading and studying Your word. Today, we read about the early church and that it was persecuted and scattered yet You still used what seemed like a negative and turned it into a positive. Lord, we ask for opportunities to share about Your tremendous divine power so that more may come to know you and desire to receive your gift of eternal live. Amen!

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Winning Hearts

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Mark Shields

There may be times when projects are due, bills are due, or for a business owner … payroll must be met. When people want to be in panic mode, don’t follow or listen … just keep heading steadily towards the victory.

Have the attitude that you’ve been there, done that because when constantly relying on God’s guidance, the challenges in life are handled victoriously on a regular bases. Then people start to label you as “a winner”!

No matter what, if you live your life with faith, hope, and love, you come out on top because of the victory gained in Jesus Christ. Nothing can stop the Lord’s purpose so continue to give Him glory just like this video points out: Give You Glory – Jeremy Camp.


For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. – 1 Peter 1:18-19  

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History Repeats Itself

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Mark Shields

Stephen was appointed by the first church as one of the seven leaders. He demonstrated great wisdom as he spoke and the Spirit was with him. In Acts 7, he answers question in front of the Sanhedrin about charges of speaking against Moses and God. Stephen goes into a history lesson of how God has guided the people of Israel; that God had given them the land they lived in but the people continued to reject God. He went into the history of Moses leading the people of Israel out of Egypt; performing wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness (v. 36).

Even when God blessed the people of Israel, they chose to worship idols instead so God turned away from them at certain times in history and allowed foreign nations like Babylon to take over their land. But God never let Israel be totally destroyed and Stephen went on to explain about God’s favor toward their ancestors; eventually driving out their enemies.

Stephen went on to explain that during the time of David, plans were made to build a house of God and it was eventually built by Solomon. He brought up again how their ancestors continued to reject God even though He gave them everything, including the Righteous One who they killed (v. 52).

The members of the Sanhedrin were furious so they all rushed at Stephen, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him (v. 58). So we see how history repeats itself in this passage. The people of Israel have favor in God’s eyes but they continue to reject Him. Like Jesus who prayed for His killers when He died for our sins on the Cross, Stephen also prays for his enemies as they stone him to death.

This day with You God, we have received another great lesson from Your Word. There are times when we resist Your purpose for us. Just like today’s passage when the people of Israel rejected You, we take the wrong way by worshiping idols. Our idols today may be material gain like new houses and cars or in spending our whole life in the pursuit of fame rather than giving You the glory.

We forget there is only one victory that is important in this life; the victory assured through Jesus Christ. He blesses us with more victories than all the grains of sand on earth. Help us Lord to chase after the fruits of the Spirit. For hope gives optimism in a time of despair, Faith gives courage in time of doubt, and love brings victory in a time of hate. Help us to bring you glory today by continuing to share about Jesus all the way to the finish line. Amen!

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