Preparation for Leadership

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Mark Shields

Moses was born at a time when the Pharaoh demanded all new born Hebrew boys be killed. Reading in Exodus 2, his mother put him in a basket and he floated down the river until a Pharaoh’s daughter found the basket with Moses in it. So Moses was raised within the palace as the son of the princes.

He grew older and observed his own people who were forced to a life of hard labor by the Egyptians. One instance of an Egyptian beating a Hebrew made Moses so angry that he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand (v. 12). As word of this spread to Pharaoh, Moses knew he had to flee so he went to Midian where he became a shepherd.

We see in the life of Moses how God prepared him for leadership. For many years, he lived the life of a prince with the best education and training. All the time, he was exposed to the harsh treatment of his own people being forced to work for the Egyptians. Then for many years, he was a shepherd in Midian. It was only the last part of his life that Moses was the great leader of a nation.

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Lord, in the life of Moses we read of a person who observed the harsh treatment of his own people which motivated him to patiently follow the path You laid out for him. As a shepherd, You gave him lessons that prepared him to be a leader of a great nation. Lord, You had a future planned for Moses and You have a future planned for each of us. Help us to know that purpose You have in our life as we pray in Jesus name. Amen!

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Good Friday

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Mark Shields

This Good Friday, we remember again that God’s Plan for Us is the best way. It’s been proven over and over again. This day and every day can be amazing because our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never lets us down. Receive inspiration from this song The Way by Jeremy Camp.

 

 

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The Lord Provides

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Mark Shields

If you ever run into a situation as described in the post Allegiance to the True King where you must choose between fearing human authority or giving your allegiance to God, choose God because with Him are benefits and resources that no human authority can provide. The ultimate reward is eternity for those who accept Christ.

This Good Friday, sincerely believe that each obstacle will be overcome and enthusiastically act upon each task until completion; celebrating progress throughout this day by praising Him. Start it right now with this video: Revelation Song – Kari Jobe.


Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. – James 1:12

Join Me on the Journey

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Allegiance to the True King

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Mark Shields
Praise

Allegiance to the True King

Abraham’s descendants became exiles in Egypt and within the book of Exodus, we get a record of their deliverance from Egypt. In Exodus 1, the change in political climate of Egypt is described after the death of Joseph. A new king came into power in Egypt who felt threatened by the Israelites.

The new king of Egypt tried to stem the population growth of the Israelites in three different ways. First, he put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor (v. 11). Second, he ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill every male child born to the Israelites (v. 16). Third, he ordered every Hebrew boy born be thrown into the Nile River.

The Hebrew midwives feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt instructed them to do and let the boys live (v. 22). Because of their allegiance to God rather than the Pharaoh, God was kind to the midwives and gave them families of their own so the Israelites grew in number throughout Egypt.

Father God, we face situations in life where there is a conflict between what You instruct us to do and what human authorities instruct us to do. Help us to do like the midwives did in today’s passage and give allegiance to You. This day with You Lord, we pray for total focus on Your instructions because with You Lord are all the resources needed and all the rewards that no human authority can provide. We look forward to our future because we know that our decisions to follow You will lead to victory and we are thankful as we pray in Jesus Name. Amen!

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Exodus 1-5

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Mark Shields

I want to take this time to thank all of you my readers. This blog started from a life transformation group several years ago with just a few followers and now has grown to over 1,200 followers. I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are keeping me accountable to daily Bible reading and study. We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing.

So far this year, the journey through God’s Word has been through the book of Acts 1-12. As the journey continues, I will turn to the book of Exodus. During the writing of Exodus, Abraham’s descendants were exiles in Egypt. In Exodus, Moses records their deliverance as a nation.

The mission of this blog is to bring out ways to apply God’s Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The questions for reflection for the study of Exodus 1-5 below will help bring out some thoughts and ideas over the next two weeks.

 

Exodus 1
How has the political climate changed in Egypt since the death of Joseph? Has anyone or anything ever made life difficult for you? When in tension between fear of God and fear of people or authority to whom do you give allegiance?

Exodus 2
How do the two environments of home and palace contribute to Moses’ education, training, and preparation for leadership? What circumstances lead to Moses’ losing identity as a prince and becoming in exile? What in today’s passage can you use to give you confidence and faith in God’s plan for your life?

Exodus 3
In what ways is the Lord revealing to you the desperation of people? What project does God gives Moses? On what does the success of the project rest?

Exodus 4
What are two more objections Moses raises? What is God’s reply to both? How has God confirmed His call to you after your initial obedience in a given situation?

Exodus 5
In their first skirmish with Pharaoh what do Moses and Aaron ask? What new demands does Pharaoh place on the people? What are the reactions of the people to increased forced labor? How do you react to the pressure of multiplied problems and criticism?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ. 

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.  

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times
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