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

Give it Your Best Shot

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Mark Shields

Photo Source – Bing Images

We will give it our best shot to gain the victory. This day with God, we can take on our fears head on by facing them one by one knowing that God has our back. Today, we will boldly share about the Good News of this victory in order to encourage toward applying God’s word in all we do.

In previous studies, Saul had promised not to harm David because David had spared Saul’s life. Nonetheless, David felt he needed to get away from Saul so reading today in 1 Samuel 27, he decides to escape to the land of the Philistines to seek refuge from Saul.

Let us remember that the giant named Goliath was a Philistine who David had defeated so we are now full circle and David is now attacking Israel. He would raid areas of Israel leaving no one alive. The king of Gath named Achish saw an opportunity to use David so he let him live in the land of the Philistines. In return, David and his men fought for the Philistines against Israel.

When we have casual ethics like we read today with David joining forces with the enemy, we put ourselves in a predicament. We can’t run from our problems so we need to face them head on. Don’t fear failure or harm but give it your best shot. Great basketball players may miss most of their shots but can still be considered great player. Today, be encouraged to give it your best shot with confidence because you have the Spirit through God’s promises in Christ.

This day with You Lord, we are encouraged to give it our best shot because with You is certain victory. We rely on Your Word as our guide, we write down steps of action, and praise You with songs. We take courage as we step ahead with boldness because with You by our side, everything will turn out alright. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Courage | Tagged Basketball, Bible Study, Boldness, Confidence, Courage, Encouragement, Photo, Prayer, victory | 3 Comments

Grace is the Currency of Your Kingdom

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Mark Shields

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. – 2 Corinthians 8:9

As pointed out in the post “Eternal Rewards of the Holy Spirit”, wealth of this world is a small reward compared to what the Holy Spirit provides for eternity.

As the song Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli points out, nothing comes close to the presence of the Lord. The glory of His goodness is what our heart longs for and there’s nothing worth more.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Rewards | Tagged Advice, Devotional, Encouragement, enthusiasm, Faithfulness, Miracle, Music, Praise, Rewards, Righteousness | 1 Comment

Eternal Rewards of the Holy Spirit

Posted on January 24, 2022 by Mark Shields

Many people moved west during the eighteen hundreds as silver and gold was found in that region of the United States. The photo above is an old gold mine in Virginia City Nevada. We can be thankful that God rewards us as we search for golden nuggets found in His Word.

The truth of God’s word and the eternal rewards of the Holy Spirit are worth more than silver or gold. This day with God, let us read, observe, and listen so that we can document nuggets of gold that are useful in providing encouragement, enthusiasm, and sound advice.

Reading today in 1 Samuel 26, we know from our recent studies that the Lord brought Nabal down so David did not need to kill Nabal. We also know that David has had an opportunity to kill Saul before when Saul was in the cave.

Today as we read, there is another opportunity to kill Saul but David refrains. David’s reason for refraining from killing Saul is that Saul was the Lord’s anointed. David said the Lord himself will strike down Saul, his time will come, or he will go into battle and perish (v. 10).

Noted in verse 12 is the miraculous event of the Lord as He puts Saul’s men to sleep while David and Abishai walk into the army camp of Saul. Right beside Saul was his spear stuck in the ground near his head and his water jug.

As verse 23 states, the Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered Saul into David’s hands but he didn’t lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. David said that he had valued Saul’s life and hoped the Lord would value his life and deliver him from trouble.

Let us pray today that we may develop these same characteristics of David so that we may achieve God’s Plan for Us. The Lord rewards with achievement towards His plan as He provides insight to what to say or as He gives us an extra sense of knowing where to be at the right time. Achievement of earthly aspirations is a small reward compared to the eternal rewards of the Holy Spirit.

This day, we are praying to You Lord who promises a future with prosperity, purpose, peace, and a perfect place beyond what could be imagined. Each day is a new day in which You provide more than earthly rewards but eternal rewards. Grace is the currency of Your kingdom and the flow of grace from You Lord rewards with riches beyond what could be imagined. Amen.

Photo – Taken while on vacation to Lake Tahoe and San Francisco years ago. We spent a day touring Virginia City Nevada which is an old mining town depicted in the 1960-1970s TV series Bonanza.

Thought – As you read, observe, and listen, document nuggets of gold that are useful in providing encouragement, enthusiasm, and sound advice.

Posted in Bible Study, Rewards | Tagged Advice, Bible Study, Encouragement, enthusiasm, Faithfulness, Miracle, Photo, Prayer, Rewards, Righteousness | 4 Comments

Keeping Others in Mind

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Mark Shields

This poem points out that large crowds began to follow Jesus and at times He associated with people not thought of highly by society. The Pharisees raised criticism but in a calm, peaceful way and with reasoning, he simply stated His purpose.

Step Ahead

Large crowds followed
Beside the lake 
As He taught the Way,
People started to awake.

Awake to His teachings
Of being kind,
Always patient,
Keeping others in mind.

Having an impact
In who we become;
Learning the Way
From the Holy One.

So the Good News
Continues to spread out
And amazing things
Start to come about.

Free to be who 
God made us to be;
People of peace 
And living carefree.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 01-20-2022
Inspired by
“Keeping Others In Mind” Thought - Large crowds began to follow Jesus and at times He associated with people that were not thought highly by society. The Pharisees raised criticism but in a calm way and with reasoning, He simply stated His purpose. Music - Crowds would flock to be in the presence of Christ. Since people were drawn to Jesus, shouldn’t they be drawn to us?…

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Encourager, Faithfulness, Freedom, Friendly, Kindness, Peaceful, Pleasant, Poetry, Prayer | Leave a comment

Healing Feeling

Posted on January 20, 2022 by Mark Shields

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us. – Ephesians 1:7

There are times when we feel that life is broken. In the post “The Great Physician Removes Our Burdens”, noted was the broken life of Abigail who was involved in a terrible relationship with a wicked husband and David who was also broken because of the recent death of Samuel who was his spiritual confidant.

David allowed the attitude of vengeance to be taken out on Abigail’s husband named Nabal who had disrespected him. Temperance, self-control, and being a Christ follower is the best prescription for a sound mind and body. The trials we face in this world are not easy but we can look forward to better days ahead because our reward is with Christ.

There is a healing feeling when we are accountable to others, confess our wrongdoing, and receive God’s grace. To let God take vengeance on wrongs done to us instead of trying to avenge them by ourselves.

So this day with God, build great memories that last forever to help in times of worry or anger. Reminisce about good times or an old song to fill your thoughts with peace and joy. If broken from within, let the light meet the dark and then like the song Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North says, the healing will begin.