The Hand of the Lord is Powerful

Posted on April 15, 2025 by Mark Shields

He did this so that all peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God. – Joshua 4:24

We know from previous studies that God allowed Jerusalem to be devastated, and the people of Israel were put in bondage in Babylon. They worshiped idols. As explained in “Pulled Up by the Upper Hand”, idols fail their worshipers. Instead of carrying burdens that idol worship provides, we can lighten the load by loving and trusting God. He provides all that is needed, and the burden of debt has been paid.

Let us learn from the past, be attentive to the present, and be prepared for the future. Let us grow during bad times and during good times, put the pedal to the metal to go the way of God. To live out the good life by gaining the treasures of a transformed life.

The best way is God’s path. Today’s song is The Way by Jeremy Camp. We can follow the path and apply this wisdom in our life by following the Light.

Index of devotionals

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Pulled Up By The Upper Hand

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Mark Shields

Arrogance leads to destruction, and we know that God allowed Jerusalem to be destroyed, and the people of Israel were put in bondage in Babylon. They had been living upside down and were in their situation because of their disobedience. They didn’t grab the upper hand that God gives His people.

We learn from reading Isaiah 45:20 through 46:13 that the plans of God will be done, and His purpose will totally be won. Thinking that worshiping idols will help is foolishness. They are burdensome, but the One True God lifts our burdens, so our load is lighter. Those who worship the One True God will be pulled up by the upper hand.

Looking back at history, we see that idols fail their worshipers. Instead of carrying the burdens of idol worship, we can lighten the load by loving and trusting God. He provides all that is needed, and the burden of debt has been paid.

Let us learn from the past, be attentive to the present, and prepare for the future. During bad times, we grow, but during good times we know to put the pedal to the metal to go the way of God. To live out the good life by gaining the treasures of a transformed life.

Lord, we know that nothing is perfect in this world but by trusting in Your plan, we are guided by the Light. We pray to follow the Light as we journey ahead towards our destiny. It is clear that Your upper hand will steer us along the path to our destination by following Jesus. In His name we pray. Amen.

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

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Thought From Devotional 04-11-2025

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Mark Shields

One thought from John 20:1-10 is that Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of triumph by conquering death, something that seems impossible to human understanding. Through His victory, He opened a path for all who believe in Him to share in that same power—power not just over challenges in life, but even over death itself. The beauty of this gift lies in its personal nature; everyone has the choice to claim a portion of His transformative power by embracing faith. This divine strength, offered freely, enables believers to rise above every obstacle, assuring them that even the final barrier, death, has been defeated. Jesus’ victory reminds us that through Him, the impossible becomes not just attainable, but a promise fulfilled.

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Press On Toward the Goal

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Mark Shields

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

A thought from “Aligned with His Purpose” is that it’s important to understand what’s truly meaningful in your life because then you have a starting point for achievement. God has something of significance so pray for your place in His purpose; never let life pass you by.

As the song Lead Me On by Amy Grant inspires, let us sing to the Holy One, and strife to get to a place where the river runs into His keeping. A better place where there is liberty and victory.

Index of devotionals

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Aligned with His Purpose

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Mark Shields

There was an eclipse in April 2024, and it was a total eclipse for those in the path of central Texas. The universe designer has set things up so that a small moon gets in the way of a large sun to completely block the light. He set in motion this progression where things line up perfectly.

In a similar way in life, all we must do is be patient and trust. God does not abandon us in our times of struggle but is with us every step of the way, and He has a purpose in all things. Our job is to be aligned with His purpose.

The irrefutable proof that God’s purposes literally materialize is from prophecy (44:28), from nature, and from recorded events. Reading today in Isaiah 44:24 through 45:19, there is prophecy that Cyrus would release the people from captivity and the temple would be rebuilt. We know now that Cyrus did release the people, and that the temple was rebuilt 200 years later. God’s word is absolute truth

In nature, we not only know about things like an eclipse, but we also know that evening comes, then night, and then morning again. We know that it’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter. That the rain, sunshine, and nutrients from the soil make the grass grow green.

The plans for Isreal would help bring God’s purpose of salvation for all people to be significantly fulfilled. We are the hands and feet to carry out God’s plans and He fulfills his purposes through us. This day with God, it’s important to understand what’s truly meaningful in our life because then we have a starting point for achievement. God has something of significance so let us pray for our place in His purpose and never let life pass us by.

Lord, we see the proof of Your great work in nature, in history, and in prophecy being fulfilled. You created the seasons, the sun in the morning, and the stars shining at night. Everything in this universe is for a purpose and You created us for a purpose. Lead us on so we get from one place along this journey to the other by following your plan for us. You want us to be victorious so we ask that things are aligned so that we can glorify You in all we do. Amen.

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

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