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

Questions for Reflection for Study of Job 8-14

Posted on May 24, 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 work, at home, and in all we do.

Job 8 – When does tradition become a prison? Can you always find the clue for the present in the past? To what extent are you consistent in what you think and say?

Job 9 – If the fact of God’s justice doesn’t bother Job, what does? How can the justice of God be an antidote to despair? What can you now say to Job’s classical complaint in verses 32-33 (Review 1 Timothy 2:5)?

Job 10 – What mystery agonizes Job? How do you respond when you can’t understand the reason for your suffering? How should we respond? What gives you hope to keep striving for the ultimate reward God has for you?

Job 11 – Why do you think Zophar has such a stake in God’s answer (v. 5) to Job? What is the meaning of understanding in the sense of verse 12? What are the effects of setting your heart aright (v. 13-19)? What is the difference between the hope of the righteous (v. 18) with the hope of the wicked (v. 20)?

Job 12-13 – What is the frustration of Job in 12:1-5? What are the issues? Have his friends really heard Job? What does Job think explains their lack of sympathy? What have you done when frustrated?

Job 14 – How does Job’s mood in verses 1-6 mold his thought about God? How would you answer Job’s question in verse 14? Have you ever felt like Job: How can you know that this life isn’t all and be able to stand up to the bludgeonings of life?

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, 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 1-7

Posted on May 23, 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.

Within the post “Rocky Road”, the lesson is that we came into the world with nothing and we leave with nothing. What we do have is the love of God and that’s worth more than we could ever imagine.

In “Maintain Integrity”, we shared that Job goes through a second test but his attitude continued to be that we enter the world with nothing so if wealth is lost, nothing is lost. If health is lost, quality of life while on Earth is lost. But if integrity is lost, we lose everything so we need to hold onto integrity and ask God for support.

The take away from “Questions During Dark Times” is that the mind may get tired, the body weak, confidence may be shaken, or patience strained but we can maintain hope in our struggles because God has provided light for dark times.

The post “Empower with Hopefulness” has some thoughts on being considerate of others in their time of need. Pointing out the good they do is a virtuous deed and expressing the strengths you see in them empowers them with needed hopefulness in troubled times.

A thought brought out in “Warm Hearted Spirit” is that bad things can happen to people and it may not be their fault. When bad things happen, people need someone to listen and offer a kind word; a warm-hearted spirit to encourage them.

Some might blame situations or others for hard times but it’s important to let your actions rise above excuses. The deed is half done when you make a beginning so like discussed in “The First Step of the Way”, start by turning to God.

Keep up with my spiritual journey over the next few weeks either through following this blog or 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 | Tagged Bible Study, Community, Faith, Family, Hope, Journey, Lessons, Love, Prayer, spirituality, Values, victory, Wisdom, Worship | 1 Comment

Poetry Friday 5-20-2022

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Mark Shields

Today’s poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by “Fulfilling Our Purpose Out of Love”. Jesus’ ministry is not in the procedure but in the person of Christ who creatively used the sense of touch in healing a man who could not hear. Our obedience to Jesus has an effect on others so let us take special interest in others to creatively build them up and help them understand spiritual matters.

The photo was taken before a July 4th parade in my neighborhood in 2009. The kids on their bikes now have their own cars. Some have gone off to college. Some neighbors and their families have moved to different communities but we stay in touch and continue to build memories.

Take inspiration today from the song What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship. The word at the beginning hidden in creation became a person named Jesus. Death could not hold Him and He was raised to life again. There is no rival or equal. The name above all names and nothing can stand against. What a powerful name it is … the name of Jesus!

Posted in Poems | Tagged Complex, Creativity, Efficient, Healing, Miracles, Music, Personality, poem, Praise | Leave a comment

Actions Rise Above Excuses

Posted on May 19, 2022 by Mark Shields

Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. – Hebrews 4:16

Take the path with initiative because procrastination is harmful to any endeavor. Listen to the song I Refuse by Josh Wilson and set out to get on the move. Refuse to not move because staying in despair can become catastrophic. Small steps of faith will lead to big accomplishments for God’s glory.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Initiative | Tagged Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Grace, Hope, Initiative, Music, Praise, Purpose, Worship | 1 Comment

The First Step of the Way

Posted on May 18, 2022 by Mark Shields

The Word of God gives us plans of action so we start there first. Then, we give God our best … the best part of our day! We take in the instructions from His Word and set out to follow them in all we do. Today, we are reading in Job 7.

Job compares the life of a mortal man to hard service on earth. To a slave longing for the evening shadows or a hired laborer waiting to be paid (v. 2). A mortal man in despair still has hope but for him the night drags on and he has no hope. Job wishes that he could get a break to rest but he cannot sleep and his life is futile.

To someone in despair, the feeling is that there is nothing left so we must let them know that the Word of God is still available. They can turn to the Word for encouragement and take that first step to better days ahead. Let them know that today is the day for a new beginning and they can step ahead with a small amount of faith. Taking in the Word can penetrate into the soul like a healing medicine.

God will take their initiative of faith and return back to them grace which will spark the first step towards the way. With guidance, they will step ahead with the easy activities first. Then God will set things up for them to finish out the more difficult activities that will lead to better days ahead.

This day with You Lord we have picked the right path and we are stepping ahead on this journey. We’ve taken the first step of the way by taking in the Bread of Life. Our hunger is being satisfied and we are sharing with others. We are empowered by the indwelling Spirit to live a life with purpose and we give You all the glory … in Jesus name. Amen.