Sticking to the Plan

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Mark Shields

There seems to be a correlation between the moral and physical world. Think about the United States: as it no longer follows the plan “One Nation Under God” given to the founding fathers, morality decays and there are more problems in society. That’s why it takes strong leadership with leaders of courage that will follow the constitution.

Reading in Genesis 6, the moral decay on earth during that time troubled God greatly and the corruption had to be dealt with. There was one man that God was pleased with and his name was Noah.

Noah was a righteous man and walked with God (v. 9) so He gave Noah instructions for a plan to erase the corruption that man had caused. He was to build an ark to house one pair (male and female) of all creatures on earth. God would then bring a flood on earth so that every living thing would perish except for those in the ark.

Imagine the reservations, fears, doubts, and problems that may have beset Noah because of following God’s specific instructions. The ark had to be built so it would not leak. The people probably thought he was crazy spending so much time building the ark and warning of the coming flood. Think of all the wild animals that had to be provided room and board; the giant elephant, the roaring lion, and the smelly skunk.

The lesson for us today is that when God gives us something to do like He did Noah, we should obey even if it seems “incredible, strange, and unpopular”. Instructions from God are so important because lives are many times depending on us to do what needs to be done.

Noah was given a definite purpose by God which he acted upon. Each of us will be given insight into how to play our part to make a difference in this world. God will give plans for your future.

Lord, this day with You help us to act upon the plan You give us even if it seems incredible, strange, or unpopular. Help us to follow through even when there are critics. Even if the job before us seems impossible because with Your help, everything is possible.

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Building Memories

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Mark Shields

We can build great memories that last forever to help in times of worry or anger. We can reminisce about good times or an old song to fill our thoughts with peace and joy. Here is a song which was a top ten country hit in 2011 that highlights this thought: The Breath You Take – George Strait.
 

 
Life is not the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away. As you listen to the song, make a mental list of the moments in life that have taken your breath away.

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Scripture Memory and Exercise (Believersize)

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Mark Shields

Five of the first seven patriarchs listed in Genesis 5 lived to be more than 900 years old. How did people live so long back then? Books have been written to explain that the canopy of water above the atmosphere prior to the flood filtered the solar rays and thus caused the sun to have no adverse effects on the longevity of a person’s life. Others explain that there is a difference in translating Hebrew numbers and the historic records Moses used to write Genesis had people living for hundreds of years.

One thing is for sure and that is that the original plan of God was for people to live forever but sin shortened the life span. Adam and Eve wanted to be with God until they ate the forbidden fruit from the tree in the middle of the Garden. After that, they didn’t want God in their presence and hid from God.

The years went by and mankind continued to get further and further from God. We read about generation after generation that didn’t listen to God until we get to a man named Noah who listened and fulfilled God’s purpose of building an Arc. As the plan was carried out, there was the terrible flood which destroyed everything. The plan was to wash the sins away and start over again.

After the flood, God made a promise to Noah that He would never flood the earth again and the symbol of this promise is the rainbow. Today, God can provide music for our ears, laughter for our soul, and a rainbow after every storm because of His love demonstrated to us through His son Jesus. His Word provides food for the mind and His Son creates light for understanding so our acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God truly washes sins away.

Jesus came as the sacrifice to pay for the sins of humanity. Today, we can walk with God again through a mighty strength; the blessing of the Trinity which gives strength, might, and wisdom. Because of Christ, our bodies are considered the temple of God.

We should live each day joyfully offering our time, attitudes, energy, and our words to Him. It’s easy to say but hard to fulfill but one idea is a system I have named believersize; a combination of scripture memory and physical exercise. One can use this system by memorizing scripture as they run or walk or while they do any other exercise. Another example of using this system is to work out on a stationary bike or tread mill while listening to inspirational music.

The key to physical and spiritual health is to honor God’s temple; having times throughout the day to pause for a few minutes to reflect and pray for the rest of the day. Right now, ask for help to fill the rest of the day with obedience, gratitude, humility, and enthusiasm. Balance work with family time and seek to live a stress free life style.

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Genesis 5-8

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Mark Shields

God gave food, water, and light; things of nature like sunsets, mountains, and beaches. He created people with ideas for inventions so that His creation is managed productively. But because of the fall in the account of Adam and Eve, the most generous gift is His Son.

Perhaps the greatest miracle ever is the miracle of birth. We are a miracle; somebody incredibly special. The language of God called DNA was written out to describe who we are ordained to be. God made us all and to this day, the human body is far more advanced than any other technologically advanced thing known in the world. The human body is fearfully and wonderfully made and the God of the heavens is the one who put it together. It is when sin enters in that there is a problem.

But because of the gift of His Son, there is a freedom – a freedom that helps us live, give, and love – a freedom that will speak and teach. God’s way lays out a clear path for us all to follow but as pointed out in history, humanity has decided to get off the path. We can always get back on if each individual determines to take responsibility for our own actions and if we follow the path laid down by God. As we travel along our journey through life, the reward will come in time.

I hope your year has gotten off to a strong start. Many of you may be involved in trying to accomplish new goals for the year. To keep going as you strife to accomplish these goals, it’s important that you reflect, evaluate, rest, adjust, and set out with the ultimate reward in mind. For Christians, the ultimate reward is hearing these words: “Well done my faithful servant”.

As the journey continues through God’s Word for the weeks to come. The mission of this blog is to bring out ways to apply His Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The questions for reflection for the study of Genesis 5-8 below will help bring out some thoughts and ideas over the next two weeks.

Genesis 5
Apart from difficulties in transmitting and translating Hebrew numbers, why, do you think people seemed to live longer during the time right after Adam and Eve? What does to walk with God mean? How are you walking with God today?

Genesis 6
How are the moral and physical world related? In this passage, does God have second thoughts about making mankind? In the long time of building the ark what reservations, fears, doubts, and problems may have beset Noah? How do you respond to “incredible, strange, and unpopular” instructions from God?

Genesis 7
What happens to Noah? While you are protected by God, what job has He given you to do today? What are you doing to lessen mankind’s corruption and pollution on earth?

Genesis 8
What are your feelings when tragedy happens to those who reject God? How does Noah respond to God’s deliverance? What has God done for you recently? How have you responded?

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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Dawn of a New Year

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Mark Shields

The year has just started and many are currently involved in trying to accomplish new goals for the year. To keep going after these goals, it’s important to have time to evaluate, to take a break, to adjust, and to see the rewards ahead. This poem was written with this idea in mind.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Organizing thoughts
Connecting the dots
Revealing the subtle
Reading a book as I snuggle
Next to the fire
Oh how I admire
The stories of a good book
Looking at pictures we took
A movie we might see
As we look forward with glee
To new songs we might hear
Holding my baby near
Sharing and caring
Relationship repairing
Imparting a new thought
Giving it our best shot
Success in our career
And a New Year
Full of cheer

By Mark Shields – © 01-15-2015
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