New Start to a New Year

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Mark Shields

Presented last week at the church I worship at was the message “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”. Here is a link to the podcast which is live at 9:30 central time each Sunday morning or viewable at any time or place thereafter at this link: http://fumcwaco.sermon.net/main/main/20304944

It’s a new start to a new year. Like the dawn of a new day, let us waken, refocus, be honest about where we have been, and where we are going. Let us wake up to a bigger dream this year and have the certainty of God’s presence to help us grow into all that He wants us to be.

This weekend, share a thought from one of the great sermons in your community or from a podcast.

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Step Out with Peace and See the Increase

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Mark Shields

In the post Promise Fulfilled, the followers of Jesus received the promised Holy Spirit and the power to spread the Good News around the world. The early church grew because it was a place of infinite challenge, intense fellowship, passionate prayer, and fervent outreach.

This same power is available today and we can passionately step out with peace of mind and see the increase. This day with God, let nothing hold us up in our work as we receive the power to one day at a time make what seems to be impossible, possible. Be inspired by this video: Break Every Chain – Jesus Culture. 


Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. – Ephesians 3:20

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The Promise Fulfilled

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Mark Shields

The promise Jesus had made to His followers that they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled in the passage Acts 2:1-13. The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost where they were gathered all together in one place and a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven to fill the whole house where they were sitting (v. 2).

The Holy Spirit came down from heaven with the sound like a mighty wind or a roar; tongues of fire separated and came to rest on each of them. They were empowered to speak in each person’s native language and witness to the whole world about the wonders of God.

God wants every person to hear the Gospel message in their own language. Ask yourself what part you can play to be an effective witness for Christ. There are so many opportunities with technology today to read about thoughts from others thousands of miles away and interact with them on-line.

This day with You Father, we read about the promise of the Holy Spirit which was fulfilled. With this helper, the early church grew fast as they boldly told others about Jesus. This same power which makes everything possible is available to us today. As we pray today, we ask that we find ways to play our part as an effective witness for Christ. May we see this unfold before us as we decide each step to take and gain momentum throughout the day. Amen!

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Return and Discern

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Mark Shields

The followers of Christ joined together constantly in prayer and as explained in the post Vision for Decisions, they benefitted from scripture, prayer, and God’s providence to change the course of history.

We can tap into the same beneficial resources of God this New Year to enable us to make good decisions as we lead our families, communities, and work places; helping us to plan the right things to do for an amazing New Year. Receive inspiration from today’s video: Lead Me – Sanctus Real.


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 

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Vision to Make Decisions

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Mark Shields

After Jesus left the disciples, they returned to Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 1:12-26 , where they organized their ministry. The disciples along with about 120 followers including the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus’ brothers all joined together constantly in prayer (v. 14).

Peter declared that another apostle would need to be chosen because the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those that arrested Jesus (v. 16). In organizing their ministry, we can see that they used scripture, prayer, and providence in making decisions.

Like the disciples, let us make today’s decisions by first going to scripture and then praying. Let us discern God’s will and receive divine guidance like the disciples did in selecting Matthias as the newest apostle. For prayer is our greatest power because we are speaking to the ONE with the answers 

This day with You Lord, we pray for the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance. Help us to be your witnesses in our homes, places of work, and in our neighborhoods. Lord, there were only 120 followers in the beginning of Christianity as we read in today’s passage. Eventually these 120 changed the course of history forever. Like these first followers, help us to unify and continue in this growth process so that your Way is spread throughout the communities in which we live. We pray this in Jesus Name. Amen!

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