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

Spiritual Journey Through Job 40 – 42

Posted on October 3, 2022 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in the book of Job 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.

A take away from “Desire to Follow the Plan” is that the complexities of our planet indicate a deliberate and powerful Designer who not only created our planet, but sustains it today. We have the opportunity to plug into that same power but we need mercy and the desire to follow the plan.

Mentioned in “Offer Food for the Soul” is that we have questions about why certain things happen. We don’t understand the bad that happens like wars, fires, storms, earthquakes, sickness, crime, and murder. Nothing is perfect and sometimes we take other people and things that happen too seriously rather than loosening up and putting it all in God’s hands.

The ending of the Book of Job is a happy one as brought out in “Put Faith into Practice”. Job repents and his life turns around as he reunites with his wife, he has more children, his friends help him, and God blesses him with twice as much wealth as he had before.

Keep up with my spiritual journey over the next few weeks either through following this blog by clicking the follow button on the top right side of this page or by liking the Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey. Let’s share thoughts or ideas about applying our faith so we step ahead along the path to victory.

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

Poetry Friday 09-30-2022

Posted on September 30, 2022 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “Giving Total Effort” which pointed out that the poor widow was willing to do something that the scribes were not, and she produced a positive example that the scribes couldn’t match up to. Many gave large amounts to the temple treasury, but their contribution was a small portion of their total wealth. On the other hand, the poor widow gave just two small copper coins worth a few cents, but she gave all she had.

Give praise to those that give all they have just as Jesus gave praise to the poor widow who gave two small coins to the temple treasury. We give praise to Jesus today who gave total effort when He died for all on the Cross. As pointed out in the song Ever Be by Aaron Shust, let the praise of the Lord ever be on our lips.

Posted in Poems | Tagged Effort, Heaven, Music, Poetry, Poor, Praise, Rich, Treasure, Worship | Leave a comment

New Creation

Posted on September 29, 2022 by Mark Shields

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

God created Earth for us and reigns over it but since Adam and Eve, Satan gained a foothold. Everyone has shortcomings but by repenting and accepting God’s plan of redemption, anyone can become a new creation.

So this day with God, let us do the same by starting each day with prayer trying to determine our specific purpose, writing out goals to meet this purpose, and giving God the glory by applying our faith towards attainment of these goals.

Our hearts and minds will then be prepared to fulfill God’s Plan for Us. We can reflect on the past and step ahead using our experiences to build on this plan as we apply our faith in our life.

Let’s start with the song In Jesus Name (God of Possible) by Katy Nichole and put into practice what the song says by starting with a prayer of revival and restoration. Praying for a breakthrough and that circumstances will change.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Applied Faith, Devotionals | Tagged Blessings, Devotional, Faith, Grace, Holy Spirit, Praise, Purpose, Repentance, Wisdom, Worship | 1 Comment

Put Faith Into Practice

Posted on September 28, 2022 by Mark Shields

The photo is the Guadalupe River near Gruene Texas. We can see that the water keeps flowing just as God’s grace keeps flowing and flowing. The Spirit then prepares our hearts and minds for God’s Plan. We can reflect on the past so we can go forward using our experiences to build on this plan as we put our faith into practice.

Even though we collect knowledge from God’s Word and gain wisdom, we still need to apply our faith. Through prayer, we can determine our specific purpose in this world, write out goals to meet this purpose, and apply our faith towards attainment of these goals as we set out each day to give God all the glory.

From the beginning of the book of Job, we know that Job had lost his children, his livestock, and his property. Then he was subject to more trials with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head (Job 2:7). Job’s friends said that he was being judged for sin he committed so Job wanted a chance to defend himself because he believed he was a righteous man and didn’t deserve to be judged.

In Job 42, recorded is that Job has not only heard God but now has seen God (v. 5). Job is convinced that God can do all things and that His purpose will be accomplished. Job had listened to God and all the questions but had not understood so he now repents with the following statement (v. 6):

Therefore I despise myself 
	and repent in dust and ashes.

This reminds us of Ash Wednesday and the beginning of lent when we recognize shortcomings and repent. For forty days, we prepare for Good Friday and then Easter morn dawns. Our hearts and minds are prepared for God’s Plan for Us. We can reflect on the past so we can go forward using our experiences to build on this plan as we apply our faith in our life.

Reading further in this passage, Job’s life turns around as he reunites with his wife, he has more children, his friends help him, and God blesses him with twice as much wealth as he had before. He lives to be an old man full of years and gets to see his children have children for four generations (v. 16-17).

So to wrap things up in our study of the book of Job, we note that the Earth was created by God but Adam and Eve were deceived. Humanity became separated from God but through repentance and acceptance of Jesus, our relationship with God is restored. This study of Job has provided new and reinforced knowledge of the Word of God and gives us insight into His ways so that we can put our faith into practice.

This day with You Lord, we pray that grace flows internally into our heart. Then naturally flows outward like a stream of water with thoughts and ideas about how to put our faith into practice. This new and glorious day, we reflect on the past to gain more thoughts and ideas as we step ahead with experiences to build on. We accept Your plan for us and will put into practice our faith so that we glorify You in all we do. Amen.

Posted in Applied Faith, Bible Study | Tagged Bible Study, Blessings, Faith, Grace, Holy Spirit, Photo, Prayer, Purpose, Repentance, Wisdom | 3 Comments

Rest for Your Souls

Posted on September 27, 2022 by Mark Shields

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30

This day with God, let us receive rest for our souls knowing that He is overpowering and in control. As the lyrics to the song Unstoppable by Rascal Flatts go, get on your knees and dig down deep. You can do what you think is impossible because God’s love for you is unstoppable.