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

Reboot

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Mark Shields

From Beaumont in east Texas to El Paso in west Texas, it’s almost 900 miles. A person could leave Beaumont when the sun comes up and if they make good time, could arrive as the sun goes down in El Paso. This day with God, remember that as far as the east is to the west, He forgives and separates our sin from us.

This concept of separating sin from us is explained in Ep hesians 2:1-10. God takes the initiative to offer grace. This gift of God enables the Spirit to wrap around our heart. This day, let us take the opportunity to open this gift from God and tell others what we’ve received.

The consequences of following the ways of the world is death but because of God’s great love for us, He has taken the initiative in saving us from these consequences by making us alive with Christ. It is by grace we have been saved (v. 5).

Some things in life just can’t be explained and we ask questions. The genius Albert Einstein said to never stop questioning. He was quoted one time to say that the important thing is to learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.

Sometimes computers do weird things. I work with them as a part of my job and there are times when we can’t find a reason for an application not working. We just come up with a work around that usually involves a manual process to make the application do what it was intended to do until we can find a permanent fix. Sometimes the application faces contention with other applications or it’s running slow because of a recent software upgrade. The action taken many times is simply to reboot.

God through Christ gives us a reboot in life; we are refreshed, cleared, and ready to do what we were intended to do. The response for this gift of grace should be to do good works. To use our God given talent to help others by letting good works flow naturally out of who we have been made to be. Our good works demonstrate to others that we are His workmanship. We are not saved by works but for works. Our good works are a result of our salvation.¹

Lord, we understand that some things in life just can’t be explained but today we find rest in knowing that the arms of Your mercy have removed our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. You took the initiative and Your gift of love motivates us to use our talents. We start by doing small things and step by step, they turn into big things for Your glory. Amen

¹Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.f amily-times.net/commentary/ephesians-24/>.

Posted in Bible Study, Initiative | Tagged Bible Study, Grace, Holy Spirit, Initiative, Mercy, Photo, Prayer, Salvation | 3 Comments

Desire and Power

Posted on March 15, 2022 by Mark Shields

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. – Philippians 2:13

The post “Power of the Spirit” pointed out that Paul prayed for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation for the Christians at Ephesus. He prayed that they would be enlightened to the unseen, the eternal, and the supernatural.

The lyrics to music is poetry that crystalizes thoughts to inspire, bring back memories, and give hope for a future. Here is the song Same Power by Jeremy Camp that reminds us that available to all is the same power that rose Jesus from the grave. The same power that helps us handle the resistance of society and makes us brave. The same power that calms a ragging sea and helps us be all we can be.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Desire, Devotionals | Tagged Desire, Devotional, Enlightenment, Eternal, Holy Spirit, Music, Power, Praise, Society, Supernatural, victory, Worship | 1 Comment

Power of the Spirit

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Mark Shields

This photo was taken at our family farm. My sister and brother-in-law are showing their grandchild how to fly a kite. The resistance of the wind makes a kite fly and for a society to get to a higher level of enlightenment, it must have the courage to resist what is wrong even when the multitude has no desire to get above what corrupts.

The early Christians faced resistance within their society but God’s plan implemented by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit gave them the strength to endure, the patience to wait, the energy to outlast any struggle, and the power to step ahead to victory.

This day with God, we set out to take in the Word of God and receive the power from the Holy Spirit. Reading in Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul prayed for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation for the Christians at Ephesus. He prayed that they would be enlightened to the unseen, the eternal, and the supernatural.

This day with God, let us take on the resistance we face with the Spirit of understanding, the desire to take action, and by accepting the power that produces results. That we incorporate these not only into our life but also into the life of our family and friends. We all face resistance that causes fear but if we choose God’s plan for us, a great power is present which is greater than our hopes and dreams can even imagine.

Let us maintain hope because within us all is immeasurable power. Be confident because the same power that raised Christ from death is available to us too so let us boldly step ahead, persevere, and be raised to a higher level of enlightenment.

Lord, we set out each day to understand Your Word and to receive the power of the Spirit through the riches of Your grace received because of Your plan implemented by Jesus. It’s the same power that rose Jesus from the grave. The same power that helps us handle the resistance of society and makes us brave. The same power that calms a ragging sea and helps us be all we can be. Thanks for that power as we go up against any resistance we face today. In Jesus name … Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Desire | Tagged Bible Study, Desire, Enlightenment, Holy Spirit, Photo, Power, Prayer, Society, Supernatural, victory | 3 Comments

Calming the Storm

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Mark Shields

Be encouraged by this poem today. Fear can be overcome as we focus on the unlimited power to calm the storms. With Christ by our side, fears can subside because we have faith to take swift action with courage to make it through the storms.

Step Ahead

Storms of anxiety,
Storms of sorrow,
Will be calmed with 
A better tomorrow.

Replaced with faith
As confidence grows
Because He’s with you
And always knows.

So step ahead my friend
And be of good cheer
For He’s in your midst
And knows your fear.

It will be overcome
As you listen to the voice
That tells the truth
And makes you rejoice.

For calming the storms
Is the King of all kings
With amazing power
That faith in Him brings!


Poem by Mark Shields – © 03-10-2022
Inspired by “Calming the Storm”
Thought - Fear is a common roadblock but if we can get to a point where we are willing to focus on Christ who cares for us, our fears can subside so we can act anyway.
Photo - Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt
Music - As the song Voice…

View original post 39 more words

Posted in Poems | Tagged Confidence, Courage, Faith, Holy Spirit, Poetry, Prayer | Leave a comment

Doers of the Word

Posted on March 10, 2022 by Mark Shields

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. – James 1:22

Let us follow the Way together like pointed out in “Unity in the Plan”. God’s plan for us which was implemented by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit give us the courage to step out in victory, the strength to endure, the patience to wait, and the energy to outlast any struggle.

As the words of the song “Do Something by Matthew West“ says, the world is down but it can be turned around. If not now … then when? Let us see an end by having a desire and getting on fire to be doers of the word.