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

Armor for the Battle

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Mark Shields

In medieval times, soldiers in heavily armored attire rode on horseback to protect kings. This picture was taken while I went on a travel/study to England in 1983. It was taken at Warwick Castle in England which was built by William the Conqueror in 1068.

Let’s face it, we live in a sometime dangerous world and there are those out to get us. That’s why we have doors that lock and software for cyber security. We also are constantly under attack from Satan and as explained in Ephesians 6:10-24, we need the armor of God as we fight back against hopelessness, fear, meaninglessness, hate, and all the other evil schemes that deceive.

We’ve been given God’s armor as protection and strength to help face such a formidable enemy. The shield of faith blocks the darts of temptations. The Love of God through Christ is our breastplate of righteousness and our helmet is the hope of salvation.

Some practical ways of putting on God’s armor is to believe, obey, and pray as you prepare for battle each day against the powers of darkness. Learn God’s Word and secure it in your heart so you have the weapons needed for winning the battles in life.

The victory is assured by accepting Christ as Savior because we are then in right standing with God’s Plan for Us. So we start with prayer, listen for directions, and step ahead with actions based on priorities.

The enemy will try to block our progress with things like distractions, lack of time, and energy but we can keep the armor of God sharp by looking at our daily routines with God’s Perfect Timing that will set in motion an incredible future because grace will power us through to victory.

This day with You Lord, we continue to grow in Your Word which is the sword against the enemy. You protect us and strengthen us for the battle each day as we pray, believe, and obey in Jesus name … Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, victory | Tagged Bible Study, Devotion, Devotional, Discipline, Freedom, Inspiration, Leadership, Love, Music, Obedience, Poetry, Praise, spirituality, Worship | 5 Comments

Devoted Fellow Servants

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Mark Shields

Test me, Lord, and try me,
   Examine my heart and my mind;
For I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
   And have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. - Psalm 26:2-3

A thought from “Walking the Walk” is that the moment we become devoted fellow servants to our Lord and Savior is the moment we alleviate many issues we face in our society today. We then will discover our place in helping and leading others which will enable our Master to change the world one person at a time.

So this day with our heavenly Father, take in the song Live Like You’re Loved by Hawk Nelson. Set in motion the steps to being set free and being all you were made to be.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Discipline | Tagged Bible Study, Devotion, Devotional, Discipline, Freedom, Inspiration, Leadership, Love, Music, Obedience, Poetry, Praise, spirituality, Worship | 1 Comment

Walking the Walk

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Mark Shields

God loves each of us as a child and this love inspires our obedience to living like we are loved so we make choices each day as we follow the Way. Just like being physically fit for the walk, we need to be spiritually fit for walking the walk.

To gain spiritual fitness, we reflect on God’s word. Today in reading Ephesians 6:1-9, we find that the order of authority includes the Lord first, then parents, and children. To obey is to do what those in authority say to do. To honor is to give respect or be devoted to their instructions. Parents have essential responsibilities within the family unit and God gives guidelines through His Word for how parents should love their children, give them instructions about life, and in leading them towards a successful life.

This passage gives guidelines for dealing with many of our problems within society today. The moment we become devoted fellow servants with respect to our Lord and Savior is the moment we begin to discover our place in helping and leading others; enabling our Master to change the world one person at a time.

Many do not have good worldly fathers but our heavenly Father is available for all. Each local church is like a family that will help build up spiritual fitness. One way to receive guidance is by obtaining information and inspiration from sermons. Below is a poem I wrote that was inspired from the sermon of Reverend Steve Ramsdell in July of 2015.

There are rules we live by 
And they are our guardrails; 
Found in His Word 
And lighting our trails. 

These rules give us 
God’s design for living; 
Blessing those who 
Constantly are seeking. 

They lead us together 
Holding each other’s hands; 
Living by the Word 
And keeping His commands. 

They are the guide for
Each decision 
As we read His Word 
And follow the vision. 

These rules make the world 
A better place; 
Stepping ahead
To win the race. 

To invest in people
By helping a friend
And gaining the treasure
That rewards without end.

Father God, You love us even more than we love ourselves. Because of this love, we are inspired to be obedient to You. We want to walk the walk and when others see our devotion to Your way, they will want to follow too. The reward for this obedience is freedom towards being all we are made to be. Amen

Posted in Bible Study, Discipline | Tagged Bible Study, Devotion, Discipline, Freedom, Inspiration, Leadership, Love, Obedience, Photo, Poetry, Prayer, spirituality | 3 Comments

Life has Strains but Hope Remains

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Mark Shields

During difficulties, always have hope because God has promised a better day ahead. Cheer up … the Creator will help you step ahead. Even beyond life on earth, He has a lofty palace reserved just for you.

Step Ahead

To the cross He was led
Where His blood was shed
But a better day ahead
When raised from the dead.

Life has its strains
But hope remains
Since God does care,
There is repair.

From high up in space
Or in a low place,
His care does reach
And His Word does teach.

Even in a hard time,
Things will work out fine
So maintain the hope 
And keep things in scope.

Cheer up my friend
And have a great weekend
For there is much to do;
Much to look forward to.



Poem by Mark Shields – © 04-14-2022

Inspired by “Life Has Strains but Hope Remains” Photo – Photo taken 06/04/2018 Cross at Garvan Woodland Gardens Anthony Chapel near Hot Springs Arkansas Thought – During difficulties, always have hope because God has promised better days ahead. Cheer up because the Creator will help you step ahead…

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Creator, Difficulties, Dreams, Easter, Good Friday, Hope, Vision | Leave a comment

Submit to One Another

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit – dwellingintheworld.wordpress.com

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. – Ephesians 5:21

As discussed in “A Cord of Three Strands”, we are taught that the love of Christ for the church is an example we should follow. This love is sincere, wholesome, and stable as they grow old together knowing the best is yet to come.

The bible gives us instructions for the best way to success within a society. Good Christian households lead to thriving communities. It’s not really that hard like the song Loving God Loving Each Other by Gaither Vocal Band points out.