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

Imagine What It Will Be Like

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Mark Shields

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

The journey through the book of Job continued within the post “Purpose of the Journey”. Noted is that Job complained to God for letting evil people experience wealth and happiness. We don’t have to completely understand God’s ways. Even Jesus had questions before going to the cross but He continued to follow God’s purpose for His life.

Fulfilling our purpose on earth may not lead to fame and happiness. In fact, fulfilling our purpose on earth may bring tremendous challenges but the difficulties we face are short term. Listen to the song I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe and imagine what it will be like when that day comes. What will your heart feel standing in His presence? Forever worshiping the ONE true God.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Purpose | Tagged Devotional, Encouragement, Holy Spirit, Music, Praise, Purpose, Reflection, Worship | 2 Comments

Purpose of the Journey

Posted on July 13, 2022 by Mark Shields

This day will be amazing because we are totally focused on the purpose of the journey and are following the road map by organizing thoughts from God’s word, documenting them, and sharing with others to offer encouragement.

Today, we are reading in Job 21 and note that Job regards the second speech of Zophar as mockery. He simply wants his friend to listen to his complaints and support what he is going through. Zophar doesn’t understand that Job is complaining to God for letting evil people experience wealth and happiness. The facts as Job sees them is that even though the wicked rejected God, Job says they have what he does not. They have security, they have prosperity (v. 7-16), and they seem to never suffer (v. 17-22).

We don’t have to completely understand God’s ways. Even Jesus had questions before going to the cross but He just followed God’s purpose for His life. Fulfilling our purpose on earth may not lead to fame and happiness. In fact, fulfilling our purpose on earth may bring tremendous challenges but the difficulties we face are short term.

God’s plan for us gives each of us the power of the Holy Sprint and when we mix this power with the teachings of Christ, we each can be led to a bright future. Beyond life on earth, there is life eternal which blesses beyond our imagination.

We don’t have to follow corrupted leaders of our day. Instead we can follow the Way and be led by the ONE true God who purifies the corruption of the world one person at a time. The result is better people, better neighborhoods, better states, and better nations.

This day with You God, we don’t completely understand all of Your ways and sometimes we have questions but we know You are leading us in the right direction. You want us to have so much more than this world can give. This day, we have paused, reflected, and have chosen Your Way that will lead to the place we can only imagine.

Posted in Bible Study, Purpose | Tagged Bible Study, Encouragement, Holy Spirit, Photo, Prayer, Purpose, Reflection | 3 Comments

Questions for Reflection for Study of Job 21-28

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Mark Shields

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. The below Questions for Reflection will stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed to be successful. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button on the top right side of this page to be notified of future posts.

Job 21 – How does Job regard the second speech of Zophar? What is all Job wants from his friends? Do you have to understand God’s ways of doing things? Why?

Job 22 – What concept of God does Eliphaz have? Who is the truly wealthy person? Although this is a beautiful passage, why doesn’t it apply to Job’s situation? Can you remember a time when you have witnessed someone misapply truth? Why did they misapply it?

Job 23-24 – What is Job’s main concern in chapter 23? What makes the difference between Job’s confidence (23:4-7, 10-12) and his dread (23:13-17)? How has God taken the initiative to find you?

Job 25-26 – What is the emphasis of Bildad’s third speech concerning God and man? In what different ways does God use His power (relate to 26:14)? How are you involved in the greatness and power of God?

Job 27 – Considering that Job and his friends have access to the same facts, why do you think that they come to different conclusions? What can you do when you are pressured to be deceitful or ignore facts you know? When have you asked God to expose flaws in your thinking? Why?

Job 28 – What is the purpose of this description of mining? Why doesn’t technological advancement bring moral wisdom? What kind of perspective brings wisdom? How and where have you found wisdom?

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.

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. <http://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.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Faith, God’s Plan, Holy Spirit, Hope, Leadership, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture | 1 Comment

Spiritual Journey Through Job 15 – 20

Posted on July 11, 2022 by Mark Shields

God has a purpose for people in all stages of life be it a teen deciding what type of career they would like to pursue, the college student, the young professional, the leader within a business or organization, or the person nearing or already in retirement. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed to be successful. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button over on the right side of this page to be notified of future post.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in the book of Job and sharing some thoughts that not only can benefit you now but also help the next generation too! The greatest of all possessions one can hand off to future generations are the guiding principles taught by Christ Jesus.

The post “Sympathy” had some thoughts about reacting to people going through difficulties like Job was going through. We can’t see the heart and we don’t know the reasons for their problems so we shouldn’t assume that they are being punished by God.

It’s hard to accept the old adage “pain is gain” in many circumstances we face in life but as pointed out in “Second Wind”, the tone can change as it did for Job when he sought an advocate for his predicament.

Pointed out in “Water that Satisfies Forever” is that we have an advantage today of knowing about Jesus who offers a forever wonderful future if we accept what He has done on the cross. We can hand over our despair to Him and ask Holy Spirit to direct our steps so our needs are provided for, our desires have resolve, and we have faith that our dreams will come true.

We noted in “The Light Changes Everything” that Bildad accused Job of wrongdoing but Job needed sympathy. Only God knows the full story of someone’s life so rather than condemn someone, build them up.

Within “Hearts on Fire”, the point made is that it makes all the difference when we believe our Redeemer lives and we follow the plan. If a difficult past has been faced, it can be set aside and we can enthusiastically build a brighter future together.

The post “Grounded” emphasized the importance of focusing on the intangible qualities of Christ. The true treasures in life here on earth are spiritual in nature. The intangible qualities of faith, hope, and love that Christ demonstrated to us while physically on earth.

Keep up with my spiritual journey over the next few weeks either through following this blog by clicking the follow button on the top right side of this page or liking the Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey. Let’s share thoughts or ideas about applying our faith so we step ahead along the path to victory.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals | Tagged Bible Study, Career, Community, Faith, Family, Hope, Journey, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Purpose, spirituality, Values, victory, Wisdom, Worship | 1 Comment

Poetry Friday 07-08-2022

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Mark Shields

Today’s poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “Impact the World for the Better”. Let us think of ways to help cut out what is bad in life and let in what is good. Take the opportunity to be the salt of the earth to preserve the faith and add flavor so it is sought after.

As the song Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw points out, grow in faith, visit grandpa and grandma, say please and thank you. Don’t steal or cheat but let dreams come to you and work hard so they are realized.