Grow in Wisdom

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Mark Shields

We continue on the journey by reading 2 Kings 12 today as we strive to grow in wisdom and devotion to God. We will continue to step ahead giving Him our praise, spending time in the study of His Word, sharing with others, and glorifying Him in all that we do.

From our study of the previous passage, we learned that Joash was only seven years old when he took reign of the kingdom, so Jehoiada the priest helped the young king grow in wisdom. There was a
covenant made between the Lord, the new king, and the people (2 Kings 11:17). The people responded by going to the temple of Baal and tearing it down. They smashed the altar and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars (2 Kings 11:18).

Joash did God’s will as long as Jehoiada was his mentor. He carried out the purpose that God had given him and developed a way to collect money for the repairs of the temple of the Lord. However, after Jehoiada died, he turned away from the Lord.  The high places were never removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there (2 Kings 12: 3).

This day with God, let us strive to use our time for making needed repairs to the temple. We are God’s temple and the Spirit in our souls is where God lives so let us use the time we have to grow in wisdom. Use the best part of the day thinking and planning to act on the purpose God has for us. For working together at providing food for the soul and sharing with others about ideas for building up the kingdom.

Lord, we have taken in Your Word to grow in wisdom, and we come to You now to pray. We slow down right now and breathe in, ask that Your grace flows within, and receive instructions for needed repairs
to the temple where Your Spirit lives. We talk to You about things and listen for these instructions on what actions to take to carry out the purpose You have for us. You have much more to offer than the world, so we spend our time devoted to Your Way. We are totally focused today on Your better Way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.



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

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Thought From Devotional 06-07-2024

Posted on June 7, 2024 by Mark Shields

God’s resources never run dry and are always available to help us go further with the inspiration to never stop so this day with God, let us dream big and keep going. Just like the disabled man in in John 5:1-18, let us have faith in Jesus and the willingness to take action. Let us read the Word of God for solutions to problems, be patient, and be willing to put in the effort to make things better. The man at the pool of Bethesda was disabled for thirty-eight years yet he was finally rewarded when he refused to quit and followed what Jesus said to do.

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Guard Hearts and Minds

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Mark Shields

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

Let’s face it, we live in a sometime dangerous world, and this brings on a lot of anxiety. There are those out to get us. That’s why we have doors that lock and software for cyber security. In medieval times, soldiers in heavily armored attire rode on horseback to protect kings.

I’m studying in 2 Kings 11 now. The post “Guard for the Lord” is about an intense Baal worshipper named Athaliah who was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel who set out to kill the whole royal family. Jehosheba, the other daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada was thinking ahead so they took the infant son of royalty named Joash and hid him so he would not be killed. They hid the child from Athaliah who wanted to take over the kingdom as she started killing all of the king’s children.

There are many anxious moments the enemy throws at us. But these anxious moments are lightweight rivals to the ONE true God. He’s big enough to handle them with one strong punch. The heavy burdens are knocked out when we are led to the cross. We receive the power of the Holy Spirit and day by day start the process of growing to be more like Jesus. This day with God, take inspiration from the song Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsong.

Photo – Taken at Warwick Castle in England which was built by William the Conqueror in 1068.

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Guard for the Lord

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Mark Shields

The enemy wants to control our thoughts and make us afraid, but we don’t have to let the enemy control us. Instead, we can make Jesus the King in our hearts and minds. Let the Holy Spirit live inside as we protect our palace working as a guard for the Lord.

Reading today in 2 Kings 11, there was a power struggle in Judah and there was a need for some people to step up and guard the king. Ahaziah who was king Jehoram’s youngest was made king by the people of Jerusalem. He held power for a short time but was killed. His mother who was an intense Baal worshipper was named Athaliah who was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. She set out to kill the whole royal family.

Jehosheba, the other daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada took the infant Joash and hid him so he would not be killed by Athaliah.  As part of the royal family, Joash was kept hidden at the temple of the Lord and guarded so he would someday be raised up to become king.  Once he was made king, Athaliah was executed (v. 16).

Joash was only seven years old when he took reign of the kingdom so Jehoiada helped the young king with the first major concern for the kingdom. Priority number one was to get things right with God in the nation so Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the new king, and the people (v. 17). The people responded by going to the temple of Baal and tearing it down. They smashed the altar and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars (v. 18).

The enemy we face brings chaos, unconstructive thoughts, and negative habits. Our efforts seem futile, but the burdens are lightweight rivals to the ONE true God.  Futile efforts but efforts that are a part of God’s plan are effective. So, this day with God, let us practice the daily process of guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

This day, let us guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. There is always room for improvement as a disciple to become more like Jesus. Help us to constantly grow in our faith so we can help others grow in their faith. Amen.

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Photo – Taken at Buckingham Palace about 40 years ago. I went to England on a 3-week study/travel with a group at my college.

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Keep Going Towards the Destination

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Mark Shields

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. – Hebrews 12:1

There is a need as brought out in “Never Ending” to be thorough and keep working at glorifying the Lord by finishing effectively what was started. The Lord will reward the effort if we refuse to quit and consistently become better by giving that little extra to fight for every inch as we keep going towards the destination.

This day with God, take inspiration from the song Reckless Love by Cory Asbury. Some of the lyrics go:

I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, 
still You give yourself away.
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, 
reckless love of God.

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