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

Blessed Day Following the Way

Posted on March 2, 2022 by Mark Shields

This day with God, we follow the Way and believe. We are thankful for His provision; grateful for all we receive. Today, we are reading Ruth 4 and planning this day knowing that extraordinary things will happen because of our obedience to the Way.

Boaz went to the town gate which is the center of social and communal life during those times to work out the legal procedure where the next of kin would redeem the land and property of Naomi. An agreement was made in the presence of elders that the guardian-redeemer would buy the land.

But once the guardian-redeemer found out that marrying Ruth who was the daughter-in-law of Naomi was a part of the agreement, he decided not to take on the responsibility so Boaz who was next in line said he would buy the property from Naomi and take Ruth as his wife.

The kinsman didn’t take Ruth fearing damage to his family name or inheritance but Boaz stepped up to meet the needs of Ruth. We know how Ruth had given up her own home, her country, and family in order to go God’s way. There was sacrifice and cost for both Ruth and Boaz but God was active in their life.

Since God was active in their life and they were obedient to His way, they were rewarded beyond measure. Born to them was a son who became a part of the lineal ancestor of Christ. At the end of this book is the genealogy which points out that their son named Obed was the grandfather of David.

All that matters is that we do what God wants us to do so if we listen and get direction from God and follow His Way, what we thought would be ordinary becomes extraordinary and we are rewarded beyond our imagination!

Following Your Way Lord brings joy and peace in our life. All the books of the Bible form the most joyful book in the world. There is a wonderful ending just like today’s passage in which Boaz takes Ruth as his wife. Their child becomes the grandfather of David and in Your lineage. Our Lord and Savior, You take what seems to be ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Rewards | Tagged Bible Study, Direction, Extraordinary, Faith, Genealogy, Obedience, Photo, Prayer, Reward | 3 Comments

Affirming Love From Above

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Mark Shields

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Brought out in “Learn and Affirm” is that the most important task in our life is to make sure we reach our full potential for God’s glory. The first step is to accept our Friend in Jesus. Then to seek out others and help them reach their full potential by encouraging them as a person of great value to God. A treasure that is loved beyond measure.

Take affirmation from the song Live Like You’re Loved by Hawk Nelson and live like you’ve been set free to be all you can be. Like you believe that His love is all you’ll ever need.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Pleasing Personality | Tagged Accomplishment, Affirmation, Devotional, Encouragement, Music, pleasing personality, Potential, Praise, Worship | 1 Comment

Learn and Affirm

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Mark Shields

This day with God, we seek out lessons to learn and that affirm us as His child. Then we seek others that need encouragement. Every achievement in human history at one time had backing from others. It may have been a teacher, a parent, or mentor that helped the person toward the achievement. Everything we do can have an impact if we love others and help them to accomplish their full potential.

Reading today in Ruth 3 we see that Naomi encouraged Ruth towards accomplishment of her full potential for God’s glory. As a widow, Ruth had needs and there was a legal procedure set up in society during that time where guardian-redeemers would help relatives of widows satisfy those needs.

Naomi began to give Ruth information and instructions on what to do. To get Boaz interested in Ruth, Naomi had a plan so she told Ruth to put on her best cloths and perfume. Then she instructed her to go over to the threshing floor where Boaz would be sleeping next to the grain to protect it from being stolen.

She told Ruth to slip in quietly where Boaz was sleeping, uncover his feet, and lie down at his feet so Ruth followed her instructions. During the night, Boaz woke up and noticed that someone was at his feet. Once Boaz found out the identity of the woman at his feet, he was happy that it was Ruth. She was known as a woman of noble character and Boaz respected her.

Boaz was very encouraging to Ruth with praise and respect for her. We can all learn and affirm others by following the example of Boaz. When people come to us with emotional and social needs, we should try our best to help them reach their full potential.

Lord, we pray for learning from and affirming each other today. Help us to become all You want us to be and help us to use the abilities You’ve given us for Your glory. Help us to be an encouraging friend to others. Each person is of great value to You and a treasure that is loved beyond measure. Amen

Posted in Bible Study, Pleasing Personality | Tagged Accomplishment, Affirmation, Bible Study, Encouragement, Photo, pleasing personality, Potential, Prayer | 3 Comments

Light in Darkness

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Mark Shields

My hope is that this poem encourages you to discover the strength of God’s assistance and let it influence your own life so that you become the best at what you do. Then share with others how you were able to do it.

Step Ahead

Discover the great strength 
Of God’s assistance
For He’s like a lighthouse 
In our existence.

Constantly there 
Providing the light
To our destination
Every day and night.

Some days, we feel
Like there is no way
But then we go to God
And begin to pray.

We no longer fear it
Because the Holy Spirit
Gives us guidance
As we begin to hear it.

With our purpose in sight
And to His delight,
Things become right
As we see the light.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 02-24-2022

Inspired by “Light in Darkness”

Thought – discover the strength of God’s assistance and let it influence your own life so that you become the best at what you do. Then share with others how you were able to do it.

Photo – Bing Images

Music – As the song You Say by Lauren Daigle points out, we may think…

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Assistance, Discover Strengths, Grace, Holy Spirit, Poetry, Prayer | Leave a comment

Reach for the Son

Posted on February 24, 2022 by Mark Shields

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32

Written in “Glean Food for the Soul” are some thoughts on the kindness of Boaz towards Ruth. This example of caring demonstrates true friendship and there is no better friend we have than Jesus. When we become aware of how much God cares for us through His Son Jesus, we know we have someone that truly cares.

The Bible teaches to act with kindness in all situations. May this song Someone Who Cares by David Phelps encourage kindness!

When you reach for the Son
You have that someone 
Holy, Holy, Holy
Jesus is worthy

Each small act of kindness resonates across great distances and spans of time to form compassionate leaders, faithful employees, and harmonious families.