Step Out To Do What Produces The Best Return On His Resources

God has given tremendous resources and He expects us to be good stewards of these resources. In the post Be Courageous and Build Kingdom Wealth, I wrote some thoughts from the study of The Parable of the Ten Minas. God wants us to have faith in Him to multiply what He gives us.

Knowing that we always have a home with God, we can take courage and step out and do what would produce the best return on his resources. He is with us like a mountain to protect us and is rock solid over time to get us through the storms of life. I hope today’s video will inspire these traits in us today: We Won’t Be Shaken – Building 429.


Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD. – Psalms 31:24 

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Be Courageous and Build Kingdom Wealth

When Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, the people were thinking the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. Jesus then tells the disciples The Parable of the Ten Minas in Luke 19:11-28. In this parable, one servant did not maximize his master’s gains because he was afraid to take a risk and make the money multiply.

He lacked the faith to step out and do what would produce the best return. His concept of the world was one of unfairness; that what we are given will be taken away and that the future would be difficult. On the other hand, some servants trusted. Each one was given an equal amount but some were faithful to multiply what the king had given.

Our concept should be the same today as we wait for the King’s return. When the Lord returns, we will be held to account for how we took care of what has been given to us to manage so we should strive to be good stewards of our time and resources. We should be obedient and serve the Lord the best we can and build kingdom wealth.

Jesus has invested so much into each of us and it is our responsibility to be obedient and provide service to our fellow brothers and sisters. We are to help each other and be concerned for each other’s welfare. We are to trust in His guidance and share the message of the Gospel; that God wants what is best for us.

I remember a small kitten showing up at our house a couple of years ago. We were concerned because we thought it didn’t have a home. It was during the midsummer heat wave in Texas and the kitten didn’t have food or water. Later, we found out that it was our neighbor’s new kitten. The kitten was not afraid because it had a home just like we should not be afraid because Jesus has a home for each of us.

This day with God, be willing to step out and make sure you are doing something significant. Don’t be one to hold back and make excuses for not sharing the gospel message. Take your talent and do something with it. Don’t’ be afraid but be courageous; knowing that Jesus has a home for you.

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Rules We Live By

I enjoy writing inspirational poems and this one is inspired by a sermon at my church. This day with God, share a thought from one of the great sermons you attend in your community or on a podcast.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

There are rules we live by
And they are our guardrails;
Found in His Word;
Lighting our trails.

These rules give us
His design for living;
Blessing those who
Constantly are seeking.

These rules lead us
As we grab His hand;
Living by the Word;
Keeping His commands.

These rules are the guide
For each and every decision
As we meditate on His Word;
Or seek a pious vision.

These rules make
The world a better place.
Gives society good standards
And inspire to win the race.

These rules help us
To invest instead of spend.
Aware that eternal treasures
Reward without end.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 09-10-2015
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Inspired from sermon of Steve Ramsdell, 07-26-2015

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Inquire and Get Higher

The post Getting in a Position to Find Jesus is about Zacchaeus climbing a tree to see Jesus. This day with God, it’s still the same for us; wanting to see Jesus by taking the initiative to inquire where Jesus is and getting a clear view of Him so we know how we should live.

We can start with one small step and we will find that we can get to a higher place than we ever thought we could. There is an efficient and effective way to meet with Jesus; every activity, every conversation, every problem, and even every thought.

I hope today’s video will get us one step closer to getting in that position: Take Me Higher – Lincoln Brewster.


Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. – Hebrews 4:16 

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Getting in a Position to See Jesus

In reading Luke 19:1-10, we learn that Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus as He entered into Jericho. Zacchaeus was big as far as wealth but a little man in stature so he climbed a tree to get a good view. Many in our world today think they are something big but may be spiritually small. The problem is that they have no desire to do anything to get a better view of who Jesus is.

Jesus was interested in being a friend with Zacchaeus when most people didn’t want to be around him and this caused the people to criticize Jesus for hanging around a person like Zacchaeus who was a wealthy tax collector. Jesus told Zacchaeus to come down from the tree and Zacchaeus followed the instructions.

Jesus’ friendship and influence upon Zacchaeus prompts a life change. He told Jesus he was giving half his possessions to the poor and would pay back four times the amount if he had cheated anyone out of anything. Like Zacchaeus who took the initiative to find Jesus, do what He says, and change his ways, we all need to make sure we are in a better position to see Jesus and change the negatives that keep us off track.

Think about it; Jesus has already taken action by giving pre-emptive grace to us all. Like He did with Zacchaeus, He has told us He wants to be our friend. He knows our name, our history, and our baggage. He’s ready to spend time with each of us and change us. The One who seeks and saves wants to come inside and we need to be ready to welcome Him in. 

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