This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey | Share The Word

One In Christ

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Mark Shields

In life, things are sometimes cloudy. We don’t completely understand and have a lot of questions, but with faith, we can look up high to gain a vision for the future. We pray for answers and for God to shine the Light.

At the Last Supper, Jesus said He would be with them for just a little longer and the disciples had questions, so things were cloudy for them too. In John 13:36 through 14:11, Peter asked Jesus where He was going. Jesus said they could not follow now but would follow later. Peter asked why he couldn’t follow now and that he would lay down his life for Jesus. That’s when Jesus told Peter that before the rooster crows, he would disown him three times (13:38).

Thomas was confused too and said that they didn’t know where Jesus was going so, they didn’t know the way. Jesus told them that He is the way and the truth and the life. That no one comes to the Father except through me (14:6). Phillip asked if Jesus could show them the Father. Jesus said that anyone who has seen the miracles, signs and wonders has evidence that the Father is in Him and they have seen the Father (14:11).

The takeaway from today’s passage for me is that our most precious and valued possession available to us and our greatest power is all found in the person of Jesus. Knowing what Jesus taught and applying what He taught should be our number one priority. If we know Jesus, we know the Father so let us work hard to keep the number one priority our number one. If we are one in Christ, things are not cloudy at all, but clear and bright.

This day Father God, we have questions about the future. Help us to trust You for answers. To turn our cloudy outlook into a bright and clear day. Like the first Disciples at the Last Supper, the future is not clear to us at times. There is doubt but You can remove our doubt so we can step ahead until our faith is complete. Jesus illuminates light, frees our soul, and provides grace so the Light shines forever. There is no more worry because the Good News overcomes the bad and the Light continues to shine because of being one in Christ, amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Faith | Tagged Bible Study, Brightness, Clarity, Evidence, Faith, Grace, Illumination, Last Supper, Photo, Prayer, Truth | 2 Comments

Questions for Reflection for Study of John 14 Through 16

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Mark Shields

We are nearing the end of our journey through the book of John with a few more weeks to go. We will continue to be focused on the purpose of this blog as we continue to use it in helping us to apply His Word in our life. I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are keeping me accountable to daily Bible reading and study.

Here is a link to all the devotionals done so far

Index of devotionals

Anyone can join in as we journey together.

Also, the concepts presented in God’s Perfect Timing offer ideas for using our time wisely and the lessons of God’s Plan for Us gives a method towards making an impact in the world in which we live.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable to sharing about God’s word. As I share about my study of the last few chapters of the book of John over the next few weeks, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day amazing!

Questions for Reflection

John 13:36 through 14:11 – What questions do Peter, Thomas, and Phillip have? How does Jesus answer their questions? What does Jesus say about knowing God? What has Jesus revealed to you about the Father?

John 14:12-21 – Why will the person who believes in Jesus do greater works than Jesus does? What four promises does Jesus give? What will the Holy Spirit do?

John 14:22-31 – How does Jesus answer Judas’ question? What is the difference between someone who loves Jesus and someone who does not? How does Jesus leave peace? How do you experience peace in your daily living?

John 15:1-17 – How are the vine, gardener, and branches related? Why must the branch abide in the vine? How can you abide in Jesus’ love? What is the greatest example of love (v. 12)? What are ways love shows in us?

John 15:18-27 – What three reasons does Jesus give for the world’s hatred of his disciples (See verse 25 with Ps. 35:19 and 69:4)? How is the Counselor related to truth? How does the presence of the Counselor stabilize your life against the world’s hatred?

John 16:1-11 – What is the purpose of Jesus’ discourse with his disciples? What will happen to the disciples in the future? Why will they benefit when Jesus goes away? Who will take Jesus’ place?

John 16:12-24 – What are three aspects of the Spirit’s work with the believer? What do verses 13-15 reveal about the relationship of Father, Son, and Spirit? What promises does Jesus repeat (see verses 16,20,and 22)? How is the feeling the disciples will have compared to that of a woman in delivering a child? How is asking, receiving, and complete joy related?

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.

To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.

“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.

Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.

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

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

Posted in Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Faith, God’s Plan, Holy Spirit, Hope, Leadership, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture | 1 Comment

Looking Back at John 12-13 for Encouragement on the Journey Ahead

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Mark Shields

For the last few weeks, the journey has taken me through John 12-13. The journey has taught about what’s most important in life, that the Spirit inside will guide, and the fruits of the Spirit contain seeds that need to be spread. Below, are some seeds that provide encouragement on the journey ahead!

The takeaway in John 12:1-11 is to know what’s most important in life and focus in on that. To understand that what’s on the inside or in the heart is most important because that’s what will ultimately come out in what I do and how I do it. I was reminded of the old saying “actions speak louder than words”.

Focusing in on the passage John 12:12-19, noted was how caring Jesus was toward people. He was passionate about His purpose and taught how to live. He was interesting, inspiring, and wanted people to be the best they could be. His Spirit inside continues to guide people today!

Jesus’ death on the cross produced many seeds. A thought from reading John 12:20-36 is that these seeds have grown into the fruits of the Spirit; building intangibles living inside each person to guide.

A thought after reading John 12:37-50 is that receiving approval from others gives a good feeling but is only short term. On the other hand, approval from God brings joy forever!

Insight gained from reading John 13:1-11 is that following God’s purpose brings composure. Just like demonstrated by Jesus as he calmly continued to carry out His purpose. To have the same composure as Jesus when facing threatening situations, let us each discover that purpose, accept God’s love, help others, promote His glory, and look forward to an amazing future.

Learned in reading John 13:12-20 is that we can obey today and follow the Way by using our God given skills to humbly serve others. We can start right where we are, focus on the path Jesus has laid, and continue the walk of faith step by step. Then we can share what we see, what we hear, and what we feel as we go along life’s journey.

When the Son of God shines on us my friend, we cannot help but reflect the Light. From the Word of God in John 13:21-35, the vision was to let us take in this Light and provide rays of sunshine into the lives of others.

Approval from God brings joy forever and following His purpose brings composure to carry it out. We can obey today by following the Way of Jesus in all we do or say. Jesus has taught how to love others and by following what He taught, the whole world benefits and there is a smile from heaven.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals | Tagged Bible Study, Encouragement, Faith, Holy Spirit, Hope, Love, Prayer, victory, Worship | 1 Comment

Thought From Devotional 02-02-2024

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Mark Shields

The religious and moral climate had become appalling because of the poor leadership of the kings who worshiped idols. This angered God so a drought was brought on which led to famine.

A thought from reading 1 Kings 17 is that grace received because of Jesus’ death on the cross is replenished for us. The grace available to us is like the cooking oil and flour that never runs out. It keeps feeding the soul forever!

Our job is to do like Elijah who took steps right where he was to listen to God. To start spreading faith so that one day a healing rain would come to the area and the crops would grow to produce a harvest so the people would be lacking nothing.

Posted in Devotionals, Faith | Tagged Devotional, Faith, Grace, Guidance, Joy, Peace, Photo, Prayer, Provision, Soul, Worship | 1 Comment

A Smile From Heaven

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Mark Shields

Jesus tells the disciples the following:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

Let us point it out when we are shown how to love others because the whole world benefits and there is a smile from heaven.

We understand more about how to love our brothers and sisters from the scripture above. Like the post “Rays of Sunshine” we can take the example of Jesus and strive to love one another in the same way. Deeply care for each other by praying for each other, encouraging, and hoping the best for each other.

Let us worship with the song “Show Me How To Love by Sidewalk Prophets”.