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

Poetry Friday 03-10-2023

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by The Boomerang Effect. Getting what you want in the wrong way is short term and inconsistent. History tells us that there is usually a negative boomerang effect. On the other hand, kindness is never wasted. It will wear well and be remembered.

Be spurred on by the song Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw and believe this day with God will be amazing because what you make happen for others will be given back. Give a smile and a smile will be returned; act kind and receive kindness from others.

Posted in Kindness, Pleasing Personality, Poems | Tagged Efficient, History, Kindness, Legacy, Music, Poetry, Praise, Productive, Worship | Leave a comment

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Mark Shields

Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Brought out in “Trust in the Lord” was the poise of David when oppressed, in fear, and when his world was crumbling around him. Through it all, David reacted with optimism.

The advantage of being a follower of Christ is the poise gained to withstand adversity. The attitude embraced is positive because there is faith that everything is going to turn out all right and the future will be bright.

Like in the song In the Hands of God by the Newsboys, go to the only one that can calm the soul and the only one who can make us whole. So this day my friend, take a few moments to listen to the song and trust in the Lord.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Optimism | 1 Comment

Trust in the Lord

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Mark Shields

In the movie “Back to the Future Part II”, Marty went into the future and bought a sports almanac that had all the scores. He would use this to place bets on games when he got back into the present. Our almanac on life is the Bible that tells us what will happen and who will be the victor.

The poem of David recorded in Psalm 55 was written during the time of Absalom’s rebellion. Absalom was David’s son and a good friend named Ahithopel betrayed David. Disruptions in life can throw us off and put us in terrible consequences.

David’s sin with Bathsheba, the cover up, and the killing of her husband started a sequence of events in which there was chaos within David’s family and the nation in which he was king. He’s oppressed, in fear, and his world is crumbling around him but through it all, David reacts with optimism.

Facing many enemies who were arrogant and did not fear God, David prays for help. God can take tough situations and turn them into something positive. Out of intense difficulties, God can make simplicities emerge. Towards the end of this poem, David says that he trust in the Lord.

The advantage of being in the hands of the Lord is the poise gained to withstand adversity. The attitude embraced is positive because there is faith that everything is going to turn out all right and the future is bright. We know what will happen and who will be the victor.

Lord, things happen around us that place us in terrible consequences but through it all, we can have faith that You will be with us. Like David, we can trust in You because grace is the password to Your presence. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live a life that is thankful in all circumstances because we know that in Your hands is a joyful ending. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Optimism | Tagged Adversity, Bible Study, Difficulties, Faith, Movie, Optimism, poem, Poise, Prayer, Trust | 6 Comments

Take Courage in the Fight

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Mark Shields

Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you. – Deuteronomy 1:29

From the post “Scary Situations”, noted was that there are times when it seems the challenge is too big. That’s when you need to have confidence that God is bigger, take courage by believing God’s angels are near, and take on the challenge before you even if it is scary.

This day with God, rely on the Word as your guide, write down the steps of action to take, and pray. Use poems or songs like Fear Is A Liar by Zach Williams to encourage. Know that God is in control so take courage in the fight and step ahead with boldness. God is by your side to help you know what challenges to take on and the confidence that everything will turn out alright.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Courage, Devotionals | Tagged Challenges, Courage, Devotional, Experience, Fear, Freedom, Judgment, Thanksgiving, Worship | 1 Comment

Scary Situations

Posted on March 6, 2023 by Mark Shields

When we were younger, we had no fear. We had the courage to do anything but some things we did may not have been so smart. When we reach a certain age, it’s like being a kid again but with better judgment. We may be over the hill, but that’s when we can start to pick up speed.

We not only can pick up speed, but we have the experience to do the right things because we have better judgment. We have gained experience and know what challenges to take on. There may be times when it seems the challenges are too big but that’s when we need to have confidence that God is bigger, take courage by believing God’s angels are near, and take the challenges on even if they are scary.

Reading today in Psalm 54, David is facing a scary situation as he was running from Saul. He hid in caves, in the forest, or wherever he could since Saul and his men were in pursuit to kill him.

David pleads to God for safety. He describes God as being mighty and faithful … a helper, sustainer, and deliverer. He anticipates that God will provide help during his trouble and will deliver him from his enemies.

There is an enemy that doesn’t want us to succeed. Sometimes, it’s the circumstances Satan puts us in that hampers success that creates stress, sadness, fear, doubt, and struggle. Think about those times of trouble you have faced in the past but was able to escape to freedom. Then offer a prayer of thanksgiving.

We offer this prayer of thanksgiving. At times we have been filled with hopelessness, but You have brought us through. We have gained experience over the years to know how to take on the challenges. We have better judgment and boldly step ahead knowing You can get us through any trouble faced. We are a courageous hero of our faith because we have invited You into the storms we face. Our enemy whispers fear in our ear but we know it is a lie and boldly step ahead because we know the Way taught by Jesus. Amen.