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

Rocky Road

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Mark Shields

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

In life, things can get rocky. We can be going down the road and obstacles get in the way to block our progress. I read this joke that ask this question, ^*Why did the ice cream truck break down?” The answer will come a little later in the comments.

Reading today in Job 1, we find out that Job was a man of faith with a large family, and of significant wealth. He walked the walk, was a family man, and a godly man. He became a target of Satan because Satan believed that God gave Job all he had but God knew who Job was so he allowed Job to be tested.

Satan was allowed to cause bad to happen to Job so Job lost his family, his livestock, and his property but continued to worship God. He said the following in verse 21:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
   And naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
   May the name of the Lord be praised.”

What we can take away from this passage is that our responses in difficulties should be to put things into perspective. 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.

So this day with God, let us look at problems as bringing another opportunity to gain experience. If we have patience and make Christ more than an acquaintance, we can endure distress and God will bless.

This day with You Lord, help us to take on difficulties with the right perspective. Help us to handle strive, struggle, and disappointment knowing that there is nothing You are not able to solve. Help us to find strength at these times through the power of grace because of our acceptance of Christ as Savior. Amen.

^*Jokes for days. (2021). Funny Editor – Jokes for Days. https://www.funnyeditor.com

Posted in Bible Study, Overcome Difficulty | Tagged Bible Study, Difficulty, Faith, Grace, Hope, Love, Perspective, Photo, Prayer, Strength | 4 Comments

Poetry Friday 4-28-2022

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Mark Shields

The poem at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by “Let Him In The Boat”. The photo was taken while traveling in Europe with a high school friend. We had both graduated from college and had some time available before we started our careers.

The main thought of the poem is that it’s that first step of faith that’s the hardest but each step after that guarantees greater strength because Jesus gets in the boat with us to calm the storm and give us momentum towards our destination.

Gain momentum today as you sail away on your destiny from the song One Step Away by Casting Crown s.

Posted in Poems | Tagged Courage, Destination, Discover, Dream, Explore, Faith, Initiative, Momentum, Photo, poem, Prayer | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for the Study of Job 1 through 7

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Mark Shields

The journey through the book of Ephesians has come to a close and now the journey will go into the book of Job. The book treats realistically the problems of human suffering and divine justice. I’ll try to feel Job’s anguished passion as he gropes for the truth about himself and God.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable as I share about God’s Word. As I share about my study of the book of Job, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make each day amazing!

Job 1 – What kind of man is Job according to the author? Why is Job a target of Satan? In his affliction, what is Job’s response to things? What are your responses in difficulties?

Job 2 – How does Job respond to the second test? What is the strongest sign of the sympathy of Job’s three friends? How should we be when around the suffering? To what extent are you concerned about the problems of others?

Job 3 – What is the common element of the questions Job asks (See Verses 11-12, 16, 20-23)? Why should success followed immediately by tragedy provoke thought? How can you sympathize with the desperate? What kind of answer do you have for them?

Job 4-5 – What do the opening verses of chapter 4 reveal about Job? In what sense are we all born into trouble? What has Eliphaz learned about God in 5:8-16? Would the advice of Eliphaz help when facing trouble? What do you learn from this advice about helping others?

Job 6 – What evidences the intensity of Job’s sorrow? What does Job expect from his friends? What in his speech suggests that he is getting less? What are some ideas for being more warm hearted so you help others trust God more in difficult times?

Job 7 – To what does Job compare the life of mortal man? What wish dominates Job’s thought in the first part? What is always open to a man in despair? Do you think Job really wants to be left alone by God?

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 or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey.

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. <https://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/>.

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.

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

The Spiritual Journey Continues Next Through the Book of Job

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Mark Shields

I would like to take this time to thank you for reading and liking the posts. This blog started from a small group several years ago with just a few followers and now has grown to over 2,470 followers. I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are holding me accountable to daily Bible reading and study.

We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this spiritual journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. Tomorrow, I will include Questions for Reflection that will spur thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles at work, at home, and in all we do.

Here is a link to all the devotionals done so far.

Index of devotionals

If you would like to get notified with each new post, I invite you to click on the follow button on the far top right of this page to join me on this spiritual journey. Another way to keep up with my spiritual journey is through the Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey.

Also, the concepts presented in God’s Perfect Timing offer ideas for using our time wisely and the lessons of God’s Plan for Us gives a method towards making an impact in the world in which we live.

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

Spiritual Journey Through Ephesians 4 – 6

Posted on April 25, 2022 by Mark Shields

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

As explained in “Discovering Gifts”, there is one body and one Spirit (v. 4) so your responsibility is to use your individual gifts so the church is equipped for works of service.

Noted in “Traits of the New Character” is that before God came to earth in the flesh, the world had a major problem but because of Jesus, humanity was pushed forward to change the world for the better.

Brought out in “Strengthened in Faith as a Child” is that all who accept Christ as Savior are a child of God. The basis of your inspiration is that the love of God through the Son shines on you. Then you reflect the light and provide brightness for the lives of others.

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

A thought from “Walking the Walk” is that the moment a society becomes a devoted fellow servant to our Lord and Savior is the moment a society alleviates many issues faced in the world today.

You’ve been given God’s armor as protection and strength. The rest is the story of glory as pointed out in “Armor for the Battle”. The shield of faith will block the darts of temptation, the helmet of hope will keep you looking forward, and the Love of God through Christ will be your breastplate of righteousness.

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.