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

Spiritual Journey Through 2 Samuel 16-21

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in 2 Samuel 16-21 and sharing some thoughts that not only can benefit you now but also help the next generation too! The greatest of all possessions one can hand off to future generations are the guiding principles taught by Christ Jesus.

The lesson in 2 Samuel 16 is that when faced with humiliation, you should respond with poise. In tough times, keep thinking about how God loves you. Know that he will bring you through. You can get through difficult experiences, things will get better, and you will be lifted up high again to do great things in the future.

A thought from 2 Samuel 17 is who to go to for advice. When you pray and develop a plan each day with God, there is confidence because you know that you will do the right things that will lead to success. In making the right decisions, nothing provides more advantage than the one-on-one time with God.

We noted the character of David in 2 Samuel 18. At war with Absalom, he was willing to accept the help of his men. To take their advice and not let self-pride get in the way. On the other hand, Absalom let self-pride control his decisions and this led to his death. This day with God, take the pressure off yourself and accept the help of others, from the Holy Spirit, and the victory Jesus brings to your life.

One lesson from 2 Samuel 19 is that when there is conflict created in the situations you go through, have faith that God has everything in control. Maintain composure, say what needs to be said, and try to get everyone headed in the same direction.

The Bible is the textbook to the course on wisdom as pointed out in 2 Samuel 20. Within the passage, there is a wise woman who asked questions and found a practical solution to the issue faced. Give praise each day for the wisdom found in God’s Word.

Reading in 2 Samuel 21, there was a famine for three years in Israel. God’s wrath was upon them because of the broken covenant of peace between the Gibeonites and the house of Saul. Actions of past generations can take their toll on future generations. In current times, there are examples too, but you do have hope for debts being cleared. A positive future can be assured by accepting Jesus and getting on the right path.

The journey continues over the next few weeks further into the book of 2 Samuel. God has a purpose for us in all stages of life be it a teenager deciding what type of career they would like to pursue, a college student, a young professional, a leader within a business or organization, or someone nearing or already in retirement. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button to be notified of new posts as we continue on the path to a brighter future.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Journey | Tagged Bible Study, Career, Community, Faith, Family, Hope, Journey, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Purpose, spirituality, Values, victory, Wisdom, Worship | 1 Comment

Poetry Friday 02-03-2023

Posted on February 3, 2023 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post Roadmap to Victory which gives examples of how victories were gained. The greatest attribute of those that gained victories was that they let God lead them. This is His secret purpose or God’s plan for us.

Here is a video about letting God lead you to victory: Lead Me On by Amy Grant. Pay special attention to the following lyrics within the song:

Lead me on 
Lead me on
To a place where the river runs
Into your keeping
Lead me on
Lead me on
The awaited deliverance
Comforts the seeking … lead on.

Posted in Poems, Purpose | Tagged Courage, Leadership, Music, poem, Praise, Purpose, Success, victory, Wisdom, Worship | Leave a comment

This Day And Every Day Will Be A Brighter Day

Posted on February 2, 2023 by Mark Shields

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
   All the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
   Forever. – Psalm 23:6

Reading the word of God, we are given examples of how actions of past generations take their toll on future generations. In current times, there are examples too but when Christ paid the debt, all the negatives were cleared, and a positive future was assured.

Dark cold days can quickly change into warm sunny days by accepting Jesus as Savior. The lyrics to the song For God Is With Us by For King and Country & Hillary Scott give us a lift because this day and every day is a brighter day.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Optimism | Tagged Atonement, Devotional, Difficulties, Faith, Optimism, Praise, Relationship, Weather, Worship | 1 Comment

From Bad Days To Good Days

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Mark Shields

The weather in Texas can change fast. As these photos I took one winter day at my office demonstrate. In the above photo, the morning was cold with snow. Then the afternoon was sunny and warm as in this second photo shows. Our relationship with God can change fast too.

Reading in 2 Samuel 21, there was a famine for three years in Israel. This drove David to seek God who told David that it was because of the way Saul had treated the Gibeonites. God’s wrath was upon them because of the broken covenant of peace between the Gibeonites and the house of Saul.

David wanted to make everything right with the Gibeonites so he asked what they wanted for atonement. They wanted seven of Saul’s descendants who they killed and then exposed their bodies on a hill (vv. 8-9).

As we read in the Old Testament, we see many times how actions of past generations take their toll on future generations. It’s the same in modern times. I remember hearing from Paul Harvey’s – If I were the Devil and how the devil keeps us in cold dark times with drugs, violence, and low morals. It may start with little things and year by year it leads to bigger things. Then God is taken out of the schoolhouse, the courthouse, and the houses of congress. A nation is then at war with itself, and the media is fanning the flames.

To get things right, there has to be atonement and reformation. For us today, these are found in the blood of Christ Jesus. When Christ paid the debt, all the negatives were cleared, and a positive future was assured.

In today’s passage, David and his men won victory after victory once David made things right. We can do the same and change our world from a cold dark place into one of optimism by simply getting things right with God. This day with God, we are relying on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than our own wisdom and are looking forward to amazing things happening as difficulties become simplicities because of this power.

Lord, we have good days and bad days, but we know that You can take tough situations and turn them into something positive. Out of intense difficulties, You can make simplicities emerge because Your Son warms our heart. He went to the cross for our sake to reconcile us to You and we have the power of the Holy Spirit to change a cold dark day into a sunny warm day. Amen

Posted in Bible Study, Optimism | Tagged Atonement, Bible Study, Difficulties, Optimism, Prayer, Relationship, Weather | 7 Comments

Walk With The Wise

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Mark Shields

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. – Proverbs 12:20

This day with God, let us know what issues there are and get help from wise people. As we found in “The Textbook to the Course”, once we know the plan, it’s important to spot opportunities and take action quickly.

Let us give praise today for the wisdom found in God’s Word and with the song The Way by Jeremy Camp. There is God’s plan for us that gives us directions to step ahead to applying our faith.