Poetry Friday 09-01-2023

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “Destiny of the Faithful”. Those who are the faithful ones in Christ are assured of a destiny beyond what could be imagined but the adversaries are headed towards ruin so let us meditate on the Truth and seek ways to share with others the reward for those who are faithful to the Lord. 

As pointed out in the song Shout to the Lord by Michael W. Smith, nothing compares to the promise we have in the Lord. Let us point out the wonders of His world. That the mountains bow down and the seas roar at the sound of His name.

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Questions for Reflection of John 1 – 2

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Mark Shields

The journey through 1 Kings has given encouragement for the journey ahead that will now take us into the Gospel of John for a while. We will continue to gain insight from God’s Word in order to apply our faith at work, at home, and in all we do.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable as I share about God’s Word. To share about the Gospel of John, 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 each day amazing!

Questions for Reflection

John 1:1-18 – Who is the Word? Why is the Word’s life, man’s light? Who bears witness to the light? What is the purpose of the Word’s appearance in the flesh?

John 1:19-34 – How does John the Baptist bear witness to Christ? What does John say Christ will do? How can you bear witness to Christ?

John 1:35-51 – How do the disciples meet Christ? How do they identify Jesus? What have you learned from these examples to help you present Christ to others?

John 2:1-12 – What power of Christ does the miracle at Cana reveal (See John 1:3)? What does Jesus’ first sign manifest (See John 1:14)? What is the result of Jesus’ first sign?

John 2:13-25 – What happens in the Temple? What emotional response does Jesus have? How does He refer to temple in verse 19? For what reason do many people in Jerusalem believe in Jesus’ name? How does the knowledge that Jesus has about all our thoughts affect the openness and honesty of our prayers?

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 or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey.

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.  <https://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/>.

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The Spiritual Journey Continues Now Into The Gospel of John

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Mark Shields

I just finished a spiritual journey through 1 Kings and I’ll go into the Gospel of John next.

Here is a link to all the devotionals done so far.

Index of devotionals

If you would like to get notified with each new post, I invite you to click on the follow button on the far top right of this page to join me on this spiritual journey. Another way to keep up with my spiritual journey is through the Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey. Click like and share so friends and family outside of WordPress can view too. 

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My Intercessor

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Mark Shields 
My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man, he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.  - Job 16:20-21

In the post “Friend To Help Along The Way”, noted is that God is the Truth and cares for His people. We don’t have a counselor that just tells us what we want to hear, but because of Jesus our intercessor, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in all we do.

The Truth is God’s Word and we should react to parts of scripture that reprove and correct us with humility. Everyone needs a friend but not all friends will be able to deliver. With Jesus, we have a friend that can! He knows what path to take and what decisions are the best.

Let us worship and give praise today with the song What A Friend We Have In Jesus by Alan Jackson. Sometimes life circumstances seem to be out of control, but we can trust in our Intercessor to help get our circumstances overruled.

Index of devotionals

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Friend to Help Along the Way

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Mark Shields

We are placed many times throughout life into difficult circumstances. The enemy is constantly plotting to get us off the path and we need a friend to help along the way.

Reading today in 1 Kings 22, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went to see Aham king of Israel who needed a friend to help take some disputed land called Ramoth Gilead against King of Aram. Jehoshaphat told the king of Israel that he wanted to seek the counsel of the Lord.

Most prophets for Israel during that time simply agreed with whatever the king set out to do but Micaiah was different. While the other prophets said the Lord would give the king success, Micaiah prophesized that there would be victory but that the king of Israel would die in the battle. The king of Israel didn’t like what Micaiah prophesized so he had him imprisoned.

Ahab hated the truth when it didn’t agree with him (verse 8). He couldn’t handle the truth (verse 16) and wanted to hear only good news about him (verse 18). He even put the truth teller in prison (verses 26-28). He thought he could hide from the truth by plotting to disguise himself during the battle (verse 30).

Sure enough, Micaiah prophesized correctly as Aham was killed in the battle. This event teaches us that God is the Truth and cares for His people. We don’t have a counselor that just tells us what we want to hear. Because of Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in all we do.

The Truth is God’s Word and we should react to parts of scripture that reprove and correct us with humility. Everyone needs a friend but not all friends will be able to deliver. With Jesus, we have a friend that can. He knows what path to take and what decisions are the best. What a friend we have in Jesus!

Father God … we all can get into circumstances that are out of our control, but we trust that You will overrule our circumstances. We rely on Your guidance as we study Your Word today. We are constantly growing in faith as Your grace soothes our soul to produce a heart of goodness. We are thankful that we can come to You because of Your Son. We can pray and spur one another on towards the Way taught by Jesus … our Intercessor in whose name we pray … Amen.

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

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