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

The Power of Prayer

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Mark Shields

During setbacks, we have nothing left except to seek guidance from the Lord. The problems we face make us feel that the walls are tumbling in around us but through prayer, we are given a great power that guides us towards answers that are the start of comebacks.

Reading today in 1 Samuel 30, the Amalekites had raided Ziklag, burned it down, and taken everyone captive. When David and his men returned to Ziklag, their wives and children were gone and the city was destroyed. The men blamed David so he was greatly distressed but he found strength in the Lord his God (v. 6).

David inquired of the Lord on what to do and the Lord encouraged him to pursue the raiding party and rescue those taken captive. An Egyptian was found in a field who turned things around for David. The Egyptian had some information and David consulted with him to find out the location of the raiding party.

David and his men used this information to surprise attack the raiding party. The Amalekites were unprepared for the attack so the battle was won by David and his men so all the captives were rescued. All the plunder they had stolen was returned along with the flocks, herds, and other livestock. David was a hero and could have taken a large share of the plunder for himself but decided to share the wealth with others.

In our battles along this journey called life, we can enter into some discouraging times but like in today’s passage, God can use these times to strengthen us and we have prayer that connects us to powerful advice. Knowing God’s word, experiences, consulting with others, and the Holy Spirit are all resources used in gaining the victory.

Each day is a new day Lord. Yesterday is in the past and we have gained experience in how to better fight our battles in the future. Your word provides a plan and the principles taught by Christ will help us meet adversity, put things in perspective, and lead us into a future beyond what could have ever been imagined. Amen.

Posted in Accurate Thinking, Bible Study | Tagged Advice, Bible Study, Difficulties, Holy Spirit, Photo, Prayer, Problems, Thinking, victory | 2 Comments

The Words of the Father

Posted on February 8, 2022 by Mark Shields

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. – Proverbs 4:5

The main point brought out in the post “Direction” is that using your experiences and following the prompting of the Spirit helps in your decisions. God can deliver you from bad situations and help so you don’t just follow the crowd but make wise decisions based on good information.

Like the song Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin, God is good who loves us and gives us direction in the Way to step ahead. He sets up a future in which we can have hope and a future in which we can flourish. Make an appointment with God each day in prayer asking that any disappointment can be turned around so there are more opportunities for enjoyment.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Good Common Sense | Tagged Decisions, Devotional, Direction, Experience, Good Common Sense, Holy Spirit, Music, Praise, Wisdom, Worship | 1 Comment

Direction

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Mark Shields

The decisions we make have a big impact on the future and that’s why we need to have the right information. The best way to achieve this aim is to constantly get direction from God’s Word as we take in the instructions given. Reading today in 1 Samuel 29, we come full circle with David in a situation where he is fighting against the Israelites.

Once, a hero for the Israelites, he is now with the Philistine army. Noted is that the Philistine army leaders would not let David fight for them because they were concerned that David would turn on them to get in good standing with Saul. Since they would not be allowed to fight, David and his men went back to the Philistine territory where they had been living.

So David was spared the predicament of possibly fighting in battle against the Israelites. Think of circumstances in your past when placed in a predicament where you suddenly could be fighting on the side of the enemy. Be thankful that our Father knows what is best and sets things up for us to get us out of the predicaments we put ourselves into.

God can deliver from bad situations and help so we don’t just follow the crowd but make wise decisions based on good information. Using our experiences of the past and following the prompting of the Spirit help in our decisions so we can find solutions to difficult problems.

This day with You Lord, we pray that our disappointments can be turned around so there are more enjoyments. Help us in our decisions through the lessons we learn from the Word, the Holy Spirit speaking to us, and the experience we go through so we follow the Way. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Good Common Sense | Tagged Bible Study, Decisions, Direction, Experience, Good Common Sense, Holy Spirit, Photo, Prayer | 2 Comments

Pulling Together

Posted on February 4, 2022 by Mark Shields

Jesus appointed twelve disciples so that more people could be helped and the Good News message could spread at a faster rate. This poem suggest we organize as Jesus taught to pull together in this tug of war against the chaos, hurts, and pains of this world.

Step Ahead

To help more people,
Twelve were picked by the Master 
So the Good News message 
Could spread faster.

So let us pull together 
For the common mission 
Of sharing the gospel
Without inhibition.

Each using their abilities
And strengths instead
With the courage 
To step ahead.

Pulling together 
As a part of God’s team
To overtake 
The evil ones scheme.

With God on our side
We can be a go-getter
To change the world
For the better.


Poem by Mark Shields – © 02-03-2022
Inspired by “Pulling Together”
Photo - The photo was taken at my daughter’s field day activities when she was in middle school.
Thought - Jesus appointed the twelve disciples so that more people could be helped and the good news message could spread at a faster rate.
Music - Like the song Symphony by Switch (feat. Dillon Chase, Christ can weave together a…

View original post 5 more words

Posted in Poems | Tagged Common purpose, Courage, Disciples, Good News, Miracles, Poetry, Teamwork | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of 1 Samuel 29 Through 31

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Mark Shields

We are nearing the end of our journey through the book of 1 Samuel with three more chapters to go. We will continue to be focused on the purpose of this blog as we continue to use it in helping us to apply His Word in our life. I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are keeping 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 journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. Questions for Reflection will stimulate 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

Anyone can join in as we journey together.

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.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable to sharing about God’s word. As I share about my study of the book of Leviticus over the next few weeks, 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 this day amazing!

Questions for Reflection

1 Samuel 29 – What is David’s predicament? In spite of David’s dishonesty, how does God honor his former concern to spare Saul? How has God delivered you from situations you have gotten yourself into because of sin or unbelief?

1 Samuel 30 – How does God use the Amalekites’ raid in David’s life? How does difficult situations strengthen you in the Lord? Are you learning to pray before you make decisions?

1 Samuel 31 – What is the outcome of the battle between Israel and the Philistines? What happens to Saul and his sons? To whom do the Philistines proclaim their victory? What are your thoughts in how to be obedient to the ONE true 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.

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.