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

Equipped with the Light

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Mark Shields

When the Son of God shines on you my friend, you cannot help but reflect the bright light and provide some sunshine into the lives of others. Reading today in 1 Peter 3:13 through 4:6, we will offer some thoughts in how to shine our light even if faced with difficulties. It is in darkness that light is the brightest so let us begin today inspired and equipped with the light of Christ.

The passage today tells us to be prepared for opposition from those who reject Christ as Savior. We may get ridiculed and thought to be weird like the people thought about Noah when he built the Ark. Even if suffering for following the instructions from God, do not fear or panic for there are better days ahead. Our enemies may hurt us with what they say but if we trust in God, everything will be okay.

We should maintain a clear conscience toward God and how we treat others by taking every opportunity to share with others about Christ. If faced with persecution, we should keep living by the will of God rather than human passions. There is a greater advantage to being equipped with the light of Christ because we are confident that the future will be bright. Also, we will remain persistent because the reward is beyond what could be imagined.

We can’t go back into the past but we can do better going forward into the future. That’s why for true happiness, we have accepted Christ in our heart and have changed from the inside out. With Christ in our heart, there is eternity to look forward to and it only gets better each day.

This day with You Lord, we are building on the solid foundation of Your Word and pray today for opportunities to bless others. There is no greater help than being inspired and equipped with the bright light of Christ in whose name we pray today … Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Optimism | Tagged Bible Study, Confident, Difficulties, Eternity, Optimism, Photo, Prayer, Reward | 6 Comments

Affirmation to Step Ahead in Faith

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Mark Shields

Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. – 1 Thessalonians 5:13

The take away in the post “Building Memories Together” is that Christian living is becoming the person God wants us to be. Seeking out and taking in what is appropriate but rejecting what is unsuitable. It’s loving life, living in harmony, holding neighbors in high regard, and seeing good days ahead.

This day with God, let His Word give you the plan and receive inspirations from songs like Walk by Faith by Jeremy Camp. Inspired by the song, this poem is an affirmation to step ahead in faith to victory.

I see God’s face
And He makes me new
With His amazing grace
Covering all I do.

I step ahead in faith
Even when I can’t see
As the broken world
Prepares God’s will for me.

Index of devotionals

Posted in 1 peter, Devotionals, Pleasing Personality | Tagged Compassion, Devotional, Likeable, Love, Marriage, Memories, Music, Neighbors, Peace, Praise, Worship | 1 Comment

Build Memories Together

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Mark Shields

Neighbors need to get to know each other, build each other up, and build memories together. This photo was taken before a July 4th parade in my neighborhood in 2009. The kids on their bikes now have their own cars. Some have gone off to college. Some neighbors and their families have moved to different communities but we stay in touch and continue to build memories.

Following God’s Way builds memories and we want others to join us on our journey as we receive God’s Plan For Us. We then execute His plan together as we walk by faith to victory. Reading today in 1 Peter 3:1-12, we receive God’s ideas for good relationships and good marriages.

Wives should strive for inner beauty with a gentle and quiet spirit instead of outward adornment of fine clothes or jewelry. Husbands, should treat their wives with respect and consider their needs. Both husband and wives should love one another, be compassionate, and humble. Always seeking peace and encouragement in their relationship.

Jesus is our example to follow in our relationships. He submitted to God’s will and in a marriage, two are working together as one to build a life that glorifies God by living in His power. In so doing, we please God because we are a good spouse, a good parent, a good worker, and a good neighbor that makes an impact on others for His purposes.

This day with You Lord, we want to have good relationships. In so doing, we glorify You Lord. We become the person You want us to be and make an impact on others because they see Your power at work in us. Then families are strong, neighbors live in harmony, and we all see amazing days ahead. Amen.

Posted in 1 peter, Bible Study, Pleasing Personality | Tagged Bible Study, Compassion, Likeable, Love, Marriage, Memories, Neighbors, Peace, Photo, Prayer | 4 Comments

Flourish in Blessings

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Mark Shields

Flourish in blessing and build momentum for a beautiful day with God.

Step Ahead

We live in an 
Amazing world today
With technology;
We’ve come a long way.

But it doesn’t work
Reliable as such;
Since at times it works fine
Then not so much.

But with the Lord there is
Dependability,
Capability,
And stability.

As we read the Word
And plant in our mind
The seeds of faith
That we joyfully find.

And in time these seeds
Receive what does nourish
To grow a garden
That begins to flourish.


Poem by Mark Shields – © 09-16-2021
Inspired by
“Flourish in Blessings” Photo - The English take their gardens serious. This picture was taken at Hampton Court in England while on a study/travel tour taken with a college group in 1983. We also need to take serious the inner garden of our soul. Taking care so that what is unseen is also beautiful and a blessing that builds momentum for our journey…

View original post 17 more words

Posted in Poems | Tagged Abundance, Blessings, Flourish, Garden, Poetry, Prayer, Soul | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of 1 Peter 3 through 5

Posted on September 16, 2021 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.

1 Peter 3:1-12 – What are your feelings and values concerning marriage? What are the principles of Christian living discussed in Peter 2:11 through 3:12? To what have you been called (See verses 3:9 along with 2:21)?

1 Peter 3:13 through 4:6 – Why should a suffering Christian not fear or panic? How is a clear conscience involved with suffering (See verse 16 and 21)? How and when has suffering helped you live by the will of God instead of by human passions?

1 Peter 4:7-19 – How does the fact of Christ’s return keep you sane and sober in difficult situations? What does Peter say about gifts? What gifts do you have? How do you use these gifts? What responses should Christians have to suffering?

1 Peter 5 – What relationship does Peter discuss now? What are the right and wrong ways of leadership? How does God respond to the attitude of humility? How can your response to suffering aid other Christians?

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.