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

Forever

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Mark Shields

As this poem emphasizes, being liked and well thought of is short term but the victory for the causes of Christ is everlasting.

Step Ahead

To handle strife,
Build your life
On solid principles
That are invincible.

If thrown into fire
And things look dire,
You can keep pace
And finish the race.

There may be pressure 
But it becomes lesser
Since there’s a path
Away from the wrath.

In every endeavor
Forever … forever
Things fall in place
Because of grace.

Into your prime,
Throughout a lifetime
And even beyond
With Christ your bond.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 04-07-2022
Inspired by “Choose What Will Last Forever” Photo – The remains of an old Fort near Abilene Texas called Fort Phantom Hill. The only structures still standing are the stone fire places and the stone jail house. The rest of the fort was destroyed by a fire. Thought – Stone will last a lifetime and beyond. Being liked and well thought of is only short term but the victory for the…

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Choices, Grace, Peer Pressure, Photo, Poetry, Prayer, Savior, Thoughts | Leave a comment

Give the World Back to God

Posted on April 7, 2022 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit : specialgathering.wordpress.com

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. – Psalm 86:11

Explained 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. God made all things new by tearing down the traits of the old character as He came from up high down to earth in the flesh to explain values and teach about a new character.

Take inspiration from today’s song Back To God by Reba McEntire which says we need to get down on our knees, keep on praying, and give the world back to God.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Applied Faith, Devotionals | Tagged Applied Faith, Character, Corruption, Deceit, Devotional, Holy Spirit, Music, Praise, Worship | 1 Comment

Traits of the New Nature

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Mark Shields

Before Jesus, humanity had a big problem but Jesus pushed the human race forward with traits of the new nature and changed the world for the better. He gave us the helper known as the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is with us helping to solve problems at work, at home, and wherever we are so those who follow are on the cutting edge of everything in the future..

Paul explains in Ephesians 4:17-32 that people were alienated because their hearts were hardened. They worshiped idols and were corrupted by what the world offered. They were full of greed and sought only to gratify the cravings of the flesh. They had deceitful desires like lying, anger, and stealing in order to get what they wanted.

But then Paul explains that God made all things new by tearing down the traits of the old character as He came to earth in the flesh, explained values, and taught about a new character. By learning the way of Jesus, we can build new character traits like righteousness, honesty, calmness, and encouraging or helping others.

The photo below is the Guadalupe River near Gruene Texas. God’s grace flows like a stream of water that keeps flowing and flowing. Ask in prayer that grace flows internally into your heart and naturally flows outward like a stream of water into activities that benefit your life at work and home.

This day with You Lord, we are thankful for what You have done to change the world for the better. That You came from up high down to us to explain values and taught about a new character. Help us to apply our faith with new character traits that encourage and help others. Amen.

Posted in Applied Faith, Bible Study | Tagged Applied Faith, Bible Study, Character, Corruption, Deceit, Holy Spirit, Photo, Prayer | 1 Comment

Power in the Name of Jesus

Posted on April 5, 2022 by Mark Shields

Each one should use whatever gift they have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. – 1 Peter 4:10

Our strength is not in being like everyone else but it is in being who we are; a precious child of God. God is with us and His Spirit abides in us. Because of this fact, we have unlimited potential because He has unlimited potential. It is up to us to realize how God can use us as an individual.

There’s a lot of work but plenty of resources through the threefold link of the Trinity. As explained in “Discovering Gifts”, there is one body and one Spirit (v. 4) so our responsibility is to use our individual gifts so the church is equipped for works of service. Each can concentrate on their strength so that the body of Christ may be built up for the good of all (v. 12-13).

When two or more are together in the name of Jesus, He is here. As the song There is Power by Lincoln Brewster highlights, there is no fear or doubt when we proclaim this one name. This one name saves and will remain to break every chain. That one name is the name of Jesus.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Strength | Tagged Abilities, Church, Devotional, Discover Strengths, Holy Spirit, Music, Praise, Purpose, Unity, Worship | 3 Comments

Discovering Strengths

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Mark Shields

Worship Service at First Methodist Waco Texas. I took this picture while working with the Media team.

The body of Christ coalesce the diverse gifts of Christians. Through the Spirit, let us each discover our gifts for the express purpose of kingdom building. This photo taken at my church shows the many gifts being exhibited from the choir in front of the church to those behind the scenes doing technical sound and video presentation.

The reading today in Ephesians 4:1-16, explains why Christ has given various gifts to those in the church. They have been given so each individual can concentrate on their natural abilities for the good of all.

There’s a lot of work to do but plenty of resources through the threefold link of the Trinity so we each need to determine what our calling is and work in unity with a common purpose.

*Paul names four types of Spiritual gifts that God has placed in the church (v. 11).

Apostles – There are no apostles in the church today as they had to have seen the risen Savior personally
Prophets – Those that proclaim and share the Word of God
Evangelist – Those that stir up the thoughts of the unsaved towards their eternal destiny and spur the saved towards joining in on the work that is needed
Pastors and teachers – Those that lead and feed the flock

There is one body and one Spirit (v. 4) so our responsibility is to use our individual gifts so the church is equipped for works of service. Each can concentrate on their strength so that the body of Christ may be built up for the good of all (v. 12-13).

This day with You Lord we are gathered together in prayer and there is power because when two or more are gathered together in Your name, You are with us. You Lord have made each of us with individual talents and natural abilities. These gifts of the Spirit are combined for unlimited potential for the good of all. Amen.

*Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.fa mily-times.net/commentary/ephesians-47/>.