Children of God

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Mark Shields

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be … has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. – 1 John 3:2-3

As pointed out in “God’s Love Covers the Rough Spots”, because of what Jesus went through on the cross, we can be called children of God. Our situation right now may not be that pleasant, but we can maintain hope because God can transform our situation. He has plans for a future of accomplishment.

See God throughout the day. In the sunrise, sunset, and in the songs like He is With Us by Love & The Outcome. Even in your hopes and dreams, God is with you to open doors, so dream big dreams and you will be drawn toward these dreams as the Holy Spirit gives your heart and mind the steps needed for your hopes and dreams to become reality.

Index of devotionals

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God’s Love Covers the Rough Spots

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Mark Shields

What has happened to you because of God’s love? How will seeing God affect you? What is the result of this hope in your daily living?

Snow in Waco 2-4-11

With Jesus we have a clean slate like waking up to the first snow of the season that covers the rough ground created from drought and erosion. In a similar way, we can wake up to a new day because God’s grace covers the rough spots along the journey to smooth out the path for us to walk.

Reading today in 1 John 3:1-10 with attention to the questions for reflection, it is because of God’s love that we can be called “A child of God”. Put your hope in the Father for He provides a breakthrough for your day.

See God at work in the sunrise, in the changing of the seasons, or in the goodness of His people. Seeing God gives more faith, devotion, and hope. Even in hard times, we can have joy, so never get down but remember what Jesus went through on the cross.

This day with God, hold a picture of God transforming your situation. God has plans for a future of accomplishment. Dream big dreams and you will be drawn toward these dreams as the Holy Spirit gives your heart and mind the steps needed for your hopes and dreams to become reality.

Father God, we see you transforming our situation. We are drawn toward this picture of obstacles being removed and doors being opened as the Holy Spirit guides. We know that You are with us along the path as we step ahead to victory. Hope has a name, and its name is Jesus. Amen.

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Thought From Devotional 01-31-2025

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Mark Shields

A thought from John 15:18-27 is that people will tell us we will never be triumphant but let us not listen to them. The presence of the Counselor will stabilize our life against the world’s hatred. Let us have the courage to step out of our comfort zone and bring glory to God. Then, share about the victories He brings.

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Grace Flows and Faith Grows

Posted on January 30, 2025 by Mark Shields

As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us – eternal life. – 1 John 2:24-25

Pointed out in “Toward the Reward” is that because of Jesus, we have it all because grace flows from Jesus and our faith grows. Our true teacher is the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. The natural consequence of consistently applying the basics of God’s Word, following the example of Jesus, and internalized the Truth as the Holy Spirit counsels along the way is faith and this faith keeps growing each step of the way toward the reward of eternity.

Take inspiration from the song If I Got Jesus by Ben Fuller and keep stepping ahead to the perfect place that is beyond what we can imagine!

Index of devotionals

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Toward the Reward

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Mark Shields

My grandfather used to say, “This world and one more”. The current world is not perfect, but the other one is because it is the perfect place in heaven beyond what we could imagine.

Questions for Reflection:

What are the characteristics of one who knows God and has eternal life?  In the face of false teaching who is the Christian’s true teacher? What will abiding in the Son mean in the specific attitudes and actions of your life today?

Reading 1 John 2:18-29 and answering the questions for reflection above, the characteristics of one who knows God and has eternal life are joy and peace. There is good discernment as the Truth is known and confidently followed.

The Christian’s true teacher is the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. The natural consequence of consistently applying the basics of God’s Word, following the example of Jesus, and internalized the Truth as the Holy Spirit counsels along the way is faith and this faith keeps growing each step of the way toward the reward.

Abiding in the Son means that any difficulties are handled with poise because God is our strength. There is hope, enthusiasm, optimism, and courage as we carry out the purpose God has given us and step ahead toward the reward of eternal life.

Father God, we have chosen Jesus and grace flows from Jesus to reward us with the Holy Spirit worth more than can even be imagined. Grace is the currency of Your Kingdom that has been given because of Jesus. We are grateful for Jesus and since we have Jesus, we have it all. Amen.

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