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

He Gives Us the Victory

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Mark Shields

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:57

On the journey through the book of Job, Elihu tries to answer more questions which were touched upon in the post “Step Ahead to Victory”. Job has been crying for help since his life was turned upside down.

One point that came from the study is that maybe prayers are not always answered because God has bigger plans. Sometimes a defeat leads to even greater wins for the future; especially if a person is humbled and takes the loss as inspiration to work harder.

Be encouraged today my friend because we have the most valuable player (MVP) on our side. Listen to the song Stronger by Hillsong. Christ in you and me has set us free. Love came for us and has made us victorious!

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, victory | Tagged Devotional, Faith, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Praise, victory, Worship | 1 Comment

Step Ahead to Victory

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Mark Shields

The kids next door created what’s in this photo as they were at home during the Coronavirus outbreak in March 2020. Faith, hope, and love are so important when faced with hard times. They are the plays to the playbook as we step ahead to victory.

Reading today in Job 35, Elihu tries to answer more questions from Job who wants to know why he is the target and why his sins are not forgiven. Elihu brings out the point that God does not need us to be righteous but we need to be righteous for our own benefit. So the thought of Elihu is that we are losers because of sin but become winners if we are righteous.

Elihu gives some reasons for why God may disregard our cries for help. Maybe prayers are not always answered because God has bigger plans. Sometimes a defeat leads to even greater wins for the future; especially if a person is humbled and takes the loss as inspiration to work harder. To get the ultimate win of the season, it’s up to us to practice the correct plays so we can execute them when needed.

We can be thankful for the ultimate play in the playbook that brings final victory. It’s like the Super Bowl victory that is obtained by simply calling the ultimate play in God’s playbook. We face so many challenges and we need our most valuable player (MVP) named Jesus in the biggest game of the year. He executes the playbook to perfection.

This day with You God, we are thankful for Your playbook. Help us to be disciplined so we execute the playbook in the right ways like Jesus who executed it perfectly. Your plan for us always brings victory in our life and as we take on the challenges of our day, we pray for Your power to be at work as we put our faith in practice. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, victory | Tagged Bible Study, Faith, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Photo, Prayer, victory | 3 Comments

Questions for Reflection for Study of Job 35-39

Posted on August 28, 2022 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 be successful. 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.

Job 35 – What question of Job does Elihu now proceed to answer (See 7:20-21)? What reasons does Elihu give for God’s disregarding man’s cries for help? Why are some prayers not answered?

Job 36:1-23 – What are the attributes of God which Elihu has discovered? According to Elihu what is the purpose of difficulty? According to Elihu how should Job regard his affliction?

Job 36:24 through 37:24 – How is the greatness of God expressed in nature? What is God’s relation to nature? According to Elihu what are God’s two uses for nature? How is all this an account of God’s ways? How is this passage a challenge to Job?

Job 38 – What are a few categories of the questions? How involved is God in the affairs of the world? Can you be ignorant of nature’s ways and yet hope to understand God’s ways? What are the specific realms of God’s sovereignty?

Job 39 – In what areas here are God’s power and sovereignty revealed? Is information or instincts more important when making decisions? What is the purpose and logic of God’s argument with Job?

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/>.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Faith, God’s Plan, Holy Spirit, Hope, Leadership, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture | 1 Comment

Spiritual Journey Through Job 29-34

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Mark Shields

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 to be successful. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button to be notified of future post.

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.

What resonated for me and what I shared in “Unified for Victory” was that apart we are weak but together we are strong.

Written in “Reward in Heaven” is that the rewards of this world are temporary and easily lost but our sure reward because of our Redeemer is that we become heir to God’s rich treasure of eternal blessings.

Noted in the post “Path to Excellence” is that the world is broken. It is worldly deception entering into the heart that leads to mediocrity but when we accept the excellence and truth from the Lord, we have taken the first step at clearing the path of mediocrity so we can step ahead on the path that leads to excellence.

There is a vulnerability to mediocrity and deception in the things of the world so each day with God, shared are thoughts in post like “Spirit Will Be Aflame”. We need plenty of kindling to keep the fire burning with more wisdom and understanding as we enthusiastically seek God’s excellence and truth.

Within “Score Some Touchdowns”, the idea is that God is the one that initiates our actions. There are inspirational stories that push us to step ahead. Not only does God speak to us through His word, in dreams, in visions but also through others who inspire us in the books we read, the movies we see, and the music we listen to.

Shared in “Accept the Help” are thoughts about the need to have an open mind in all the various ways God can give us help.

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

Poetry Friday 08-26-2022

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “Deception” which is about the temple leaders who were trying to deceive the people into thinking their way was the best way. The day before, Jesus had overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves (v. 15). They tried to trap Jesus with a question but their scheme was crushed.

Today, let us do as the song “Come to the Table by Sidewalk Prophets” points out. Take our place beside the Savior. Sit down and be set free by the ONE who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.