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

Illuminate the Path

Posted on February 13, 2023 by Mark Shields

Photo by Jonathan Petersson on Pexels.com

This day with God will be amazing because like growing a garden, we will cultivate lessons from God in our heart and food for the soul will be produced for ourselves and those close to us. Today, we are reading 2 Samuel 23.

According to David, a just ruler leads in the fear of God like the brilliance of the sun on a cloudless morning and like a clear day after the rain (v. 3-4). Showing the way clearly as he illuminates the path so those that follow step ahead each day as they grow towards a brighter future.

This day with God, let us desire to lead justly and in fear of God. Let us talk or write about the people that touch us and make us a better person. About the experiences we go through that honor God. For these are devotionals that are powerful and useful to others as they step ahead in victory.

From David we learn about his sense of what belongs to God. He believed that all the victories were because of God with the help of people God placed around him. At the end of this passage, we are given a list of David’s mighty warriors as all the conquests are reviewed. He gives credit to these mighty warriors and gives all the glory to God.

Lord, we seek you daily and trust You as You direct our steps along the path. We need Your help for blessings into the future. Thanks for the recorded life of David who gave credit to You and the mighty warriors for the victories. May we illuminate the path and like David, lead like the brilliance of the sun on a cloudless morning.

Posted in Bible Study, Faith | Tagged Bible Study, Blessings, Devotionals, Faith, Future, Leadership, Lessons, Praise, Prayer, victory | 2 Comments

Poetry Friday 02-10-2023

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post He Prepares the Way. Great things can be done with God’s help because He prepares the way. Those against us don’t stand a chance when we know God is our strength and we work together to advance His cause.

Take encouragement from the song You Say by Lauren Daigle. Like the sun that rises each morning in all its strength, take in the words of the song that God says you are strong. Step ahead today believing and achieving.

Posted in Poems | Tagged Lessons, Music, poem, Possibilities, Praise, Strengths, Teamwork, Worship | Leave a comment

Our True Strength

Posted on February 9, 2023 by Mark Shields

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. - 2 Samuel 22:33

A thought from “Spreading Our Wings of Faith” is that our true strength is a relationship with God. The Bible talks about a counselor … the Holy Spirit. With the counselor, we have access to a helper that will assist and direct our path. All we have to do is lift our eyes and follow.

Be lifted today by the song Be Somebody by Thousand Foot Krutch. Like the song says, we may feel a million miles away but You Lord, connect us to your Way.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Strength | Tagged Devotional, enthusiasm, Faith, Hope, Love, poem, Praise, Reward, Strength | 1 Comment

Spreading Our Wings Of Faith

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Mark Shields

Faith without works is pointless. *What do you call a pencil that has two erasers? Pointless. God has given each of us talents and abilities so let us use them.

By spreading our wings of faith, we are lifted to a higher perspective by accepting the love of God in Christ. We are delivered from the enemy. Reading today in 2 Samuel 22, David was delivered from his enemies and praises God in a poem. The thoughts of this poem are that God is his strength and David calls to the Lord during distress.

The poem points out that the spheres of God’s activities are all encompassing. God’s strength and power is expressed in an earthquake or storm (v. 8-16). This same power kept David safe for he was right with God as he followed His Way and was rewarded by defeating his enemies.

The reason for David’s deliverance is because of his heart’s desire to have a relationship with God. He spent time in prayer before his battles and God gave him a heart of faith and courage. Even when others disappointed him like his son Absalom, he had a forgiving heart. He praised God enthusiastically and went all out for God.

We can learn from David’s poem today and take in these words for our own testimony. Think of difficulties faced in the past when your prayer has been answered. Faith in God gives us confidence and hope that we will be enabled with advantages. When blessed, give credit to God for victory, praise him, and give thanks for His love through Christ.

Like David, let us offer praises to God who reaches down from heaven and saves on earth (v. 17-20). Our true strength is a relationship with God. The Bible talks about a counselor … Holy Spirit. With the counselor, we have access to a helper that will direct our path and assist along the way. All we have to do is lift up our eyes and follow.

Our relationship with You Lord is our greatest strength, Lord. Your Spirit lives in us and will assist us and this gives us the ability to glorify You in all we do. Your way is the best way, and we lift our eyes to You today. We spread our wings of faith. With You, we know who we are and with You by our side we can go far … Amen.

*Jokes for days. (2021). Funny Editor – Jokes for Days. https://www.funnyeditor.com

Posted in Bible Study, Strength | Tagged Bible Study, Enthusiasm Praise, Faith, Hope, Love, poem, Prayer, Reward, Strength | 2 Comments

Questions For Reflection For Study of 2 Samuel 22-24

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Mark Shields

We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. The below Questions for Reflection will stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed to thrive in life. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button on the top right side of this page to be notified of future posts.

2 Samuel 22 – What is described in verse 8-16? What are the spheres of God’s activity? What reasons are given for David’s deliverance? What had God done for David? Can you, from experience, take any of his words for your testimony?

2 Samuel 23 – How should a just ruler lead according to David? In what extent do you meet your responsibilities in such a way that God can illumine and bring growth through you? What do you learn about David from his sense of what belongs to God?

2 Samuel 24 – Why is numbering the tribes wrong? What evidence of David’s greatness are indicated in verses 17, 19, and 24? To what extent are intercession, obedience, and sacrifice part of your daily life with God?

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/>.