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

Questions for Reflection in Study of Ephesians 4 – 6

Posted on March 31, 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 work, at home, and in all we do.

Ephesians 4:1-16 – What is your calling (See 1:3-14; 2:19-22; 3:14-19)? Why has Christ given various gifts to those in the church? Are the gifts for the benefit of the individual or the group?

Ephesians 4:17-32 – Why are people alienated (See 2:1-3 and Romans 1:18-25)? What are the traits of the old nature? What are the traits of the new nature? What indicates that you are putting off the old nature and putting on the new nature?

Ephesians 5:1-20 – How can you possibly take the admonition of verse 1 seriously (See 3:14-21)? What is the basis of your inspiration? In what ways are you light to your society?

Ephesians 5:21-33 – Why does not being submissive in the home or church show lack of reverence for Christ (See 4:15-16)? What are your goals for the future in the area of establishing your home? Within your web of relationships, what will be required of you today to show reverence for Christ?

Ephesians 6:1-9 – What are the orders of authority in this passage? What is involved in the commands to obey and honor? What guidelines does this passage give for dealing with problems in our society?

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 | Leave a comment

Spiritual Journey Through Ephesians 1 – 3

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in the book of Ephesians 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.

Pointed out in “Unity in the Plan” is that God’s plan for us which was implemented by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit gives us the courage to step out in victory, the strength to endure, the patience to wait, and the energy to outlast any struggle.

The post “Power of the Spirit” pointed out that Paul prayed for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation for the Christians at Ephesus. He prayed that they would be enlightened to the unseen, the eternal, and the supernatural.

God through Christ gives us a restart in life as explained in “Reboot”. We are refreshed, cleared, and ready to do what we were intended to do. The response for this gift of grace should be to do good works. To use our God given talent to help others by letting good works flow naturally out of who we’ve been made to be.

Written in “Win Each Day” is that those who accept Christ are all unified as one in Christ. They are one team that is devoted and willing to work together to make a difference. Satan can’t match up against the most unique aspect of the church which is the hearts and minds of its members.

A thought brought out in the post “Enable the Power Available” is that there are untapped spiritual treasures available for all but we need to enable the power inside to be released in order for the Good News to be spread far and wide.

God wants you to receive the power written about in “Full Steam Ahead”. The power available is greater than you could ever imagine and doing your best for God at this moment puts you on track to go places you never thought possible.

Keep up with my spiritual journey over the next few weeks either through following this blog or 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 | Tagged Bible Study, Community, Faith, Family, Hope, Journey, Lessons, Love, Prayer, spirituality, Values, victory, Wisdom, Worship | 1 Comment

Power From Within

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Mark Shields

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21

Give praise today with songs like Give You Glory by Jeremy Camp and remember to use the power within which has far more power than you could ever ask or think.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Make Impossible Possible | Tagged Devotional, Grace, Holy Spirit, Make Impossible Possible, Music, Power, Praise, Strength, Worship | 1 Comment

Full Steam Ahead

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Mark Shields

This photo was taken at the railroad museum in Teague Texas. There is no need to coast in life but experience God’s power full steam ahead as though being pulled with a power greater than a locomotive. The power inside is beyond what could be imagined so never place any limits on what God can do.

Reading today in Ephesians 3:14-21, we know that Paul was in prison so he could not physically be with the people but he could inspire and encourage them through this letter. This is the reason Paul writes this letter to the Ephesians. He prays for the Ephesians that God would strengthen them with power through the Holy Spirit. That they would understand how much God loves them and he prays that the church would bring glory to God.

A take away for us today is that if the burdens of this world are withdrawing the power, humbly receive the grace of God and get hitched onto the locomotive of His Word. Pray for guidance and stay hitched to the power that gives far more than you could ever ask or think. Doing your best for God at this moment puts you on track to go places you never thought possible.

This day with You God, we have great internal power because of Your love for us. Because of Jesus, we have available the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit that pulls us to new levels of faith and the strength to climb up out of the valleys of despair to new heights of achievement for Your purposes. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Make Impossible Possible | Tagged Bible Study, Grace, Holy Spirit, Make Impossible Possible, Photo, Power, Prayer, Strength | 3 Comments

Praise for Our Days

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Mark Shields

God is concerned 
For our well-being 
And all His creation;
His love is so freeing.

He turns winter of life
Into a new spring;
Thawing out coldness;
New growth He brings. 

The Holy Spirit
Like the wind blowing,
Stirs up the rains of spring;
The rivers are flowing.

It is good to praise God 
Because when our hope 
Is in His unfailing love; 
We can more than cope.

There is wonder,
There is security,
And we reward God
With spiritual maturity.

Praise Him for creation;
Various parts of earth;
The moon and stars;
The miracle of birth.

Praise Him for angels;
Sea creatures and birds;
From valleys to mountains;
With His inspiring Words.

Over a high vista
As we look out.
The beauty of Creation
Makes us shout.

The blue water 
Of a still ocean;
The beauty of a sunset;
Sparking emotion.

We praise Him in music, 
Praise Him through art, 
In everything we do
He gives us a great start. 

Through His Creation
And through His Word,
There are lessons learned,
Knowledge transferred.

To help with priority;
Provide our daily bread. 
To give us inspiration
As we step ahead.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 3-25-2022