The Best Inside

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Mark Shields

Mary visits Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea which was about 60 miles south of Nazareth. Elizabeth is very happy to see Mary and as described in Luke 1:39-56, the baby in her womb leaped for joy when she heard Mary’s greeting. Elizabeth’s greeting added to Mary’s faith because even though the two had not talked, Elizabeth was not surprised that the Holy Child was inside. The news had been revealed to her through the Holy Spirit.

In the song Mary recites, she explains that God is the Mighty One who has done great things. She explains that He gives mercy from generation to generation. He performs mighty deeds and brings down rulers who are proud but lifts up the humble. Those that seek a life with Him are filled with the best inside that satisfies the soul but He sends away empty those without need for Him.

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This day with God, believe that we can count on God to fulfill His promises. Like Mary, view immediate problems in the perspective of past and future history.  Pray today to live in such a way that is rooted and built up by Him. Like a tree near a water supply, take in the source of spiritual nutrition that strengthens faith and grows to produce the best inside.

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Luke’s Purpose

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Mark Shields

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The first week in the study of the book of Luke has been thought provoking.

The main thought from this week’s study is that the purpose of Luke was to write an orderly account of the gospel. Luke believed there were principles to be learned that could enrich our lives and stretch our thinking so that we would come to understand that nothing is impossible with God.

I’ll be continuing the study on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

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Nothing will be Impossible

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Mark Shields

Mary was told she would become pregnant even though she was a virgin. The divine power of the Holy Spirit has no limits. Have you ever thought about the expanse of our universe? Does it have an end? Is there a big wall out there at the end?

Nothing is impossible with God and this stretches our thinking. Mary didn’t know that her baby boy would walk on water one day, calm storms, or give sight to the blind. Here’s a video to remind us and inspire about our unlimited God: Mary Did You Know.


Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, ‘ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:18-20

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The Amazing Divine Power of the Holy Spirit

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Mark Shields

Through the accounts of Mary and Elizabeth having a child in Luke 1:26-38 we learn about the amazing divine power of the Holy Spirit. Mary was told by an angel named Gabriel that she would conceive a child even though she was a virgin.

“The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” – Luke 1:35 

Being pregnant and not being married was a difficult situation to be in yet Mary was ready to follow God’s will. Submission to God does create situations in which we are different and there is the temptation to fit in with our peers rather than doing what God wants from us. What we have to remember is that fitting in with others will last just a short time but fitting in with God will last forever.

We may feel that we lack certain skills or talents but with God there are no limits. Mary was told she would have a child and she wondered how this could be since she had never been in relationship with a man. The angel explained that the miracle would be accomplished through the divine power of the Holy Spirit and she agreed to fulfill God’s purpose even though it would cause some embarrassment.

This day with God, passionately believe in what we are doing, let nothing hold us up in our work, and know that one day at a time the impossible will become possible. Pray to be used by God and believe that by following His will that it may lead us to where we did not expect to go and shape us in ways we had not anticipated. What seems to be impossible for us to accomplish today can be accomplished when we are fulfilling God’s will.

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Enriching Lives

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Mark Shields

Luke was such a detailed writer of history that he interviewed those that had been with Christ. He also had been with Christ and his detailed accounts of what took place are recorded for us with such reliability to enrich our life.

John the Baptist was a miracle child born to older parents who couldn’t believe they would have a child at such an age. God can make all things possible if we just simply accept His purpose for our life. Here’s a video to give us confidence that God will help us each fulfill the purpose He has for us: Me Without You – TobyMac.


Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

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