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

Being Honest is the only Way to Fix It

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Mark Shields

Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

Shared in the post “Line up with the Plan” was how the Israelites had escaped slavery in Egypt and finally made it to the Promised Land but didn’t completely finish God’s plan. Unfortunately, they half way completed the plan and this would come back to cause their downfall.

As the song Truth Be Told by Matthew West explains, it is it so hard to admit it but being honest is the only way to fix it. We must be honest with ourselves and strife to know where we fall short. We need to completely follow the ONE true God but many times we do like the Israelites and compromise with the enemy.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Integrity | Tagged Devotional, Holy Spirit, Honesty, Integrity, Leadership, Life, Music, Plan, Praise, Servant, Worship | 1 Comment

Line Up with the Plan

Posted on June 8, 2021 by Mark Shields

God brought the Israelites from oppression in Egypt to the Promised Land with the help of Moses. Then Joshua took over as leader with a servant attitude. His leadership impacted people during his time and continues to impact us today.

After the death of Joshua as recorded in Judges 1 through 2:5, the men of Judah along with their fellow Israelites the Simeonites fought against the Canaanites. They then attacked Jerusalem and took it. Then they drove out the Canaanites living in the hill country to the south and in the western foothills.

The Lord was with the men of Judah but they did not completely drive out those who worshiped other gods. They did not completely follow God’s command but compromised with the enemy so this left a remnant of those against the ONE true God.

Our God has total integrity and delivers on His promises. He delivered on His promise to the Israelites in leading them out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. We can do so much more with God by our side and if we obey His commands, there will always be brighter days ahead.

The lesson from today’s passage is to fully follow God’s commandments. We should serve the ONE true God and totally finish the job He gives us. Let us not leave things unfinished because that will open up a possible come back by the enemy. Compromise with the enemy is a trap we can get caught in when we half way do something.

God is consistent with His nature but His people are not consistent. The Israelites did not completely deliver on their end so eventually this would set up traps for their future. We are to serve the Lord our God with all our heart and with all your mind.

I remember one time, my wife and I were putting together a new office chair. We struggled because the screw holes didn’t line up. We got three out of four in but the fourth one just wouldn’t fit. When things don’t line up, you don’t have a chance. It’s the same with our life plan. If it doesn’t fit with what God wants, it’s not going to work.

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

This day with You Lord we ask that our life plan lines up with Your plan for our life. Help us to be honest with ourselves and know when we fall short so we can correct our ways. You have high standards but because of Jesus, You give us grace, the Holy Spirit, and the power to reach that high standard. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Integrity | Tagged Bible Study, Honesty, Integrity, Leadership, Life, Photo, Plan, Prayer, Servant | 4 Comments

Questions for Reflection for Study of Judges 1-7

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Mark Shields

The journey through the book of Mark came to a close last week and now the journey will go back into the Old Testament for a while through the book of Judges. 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 Judges 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

Judges 1 through 2:5 – In what different ways, do the various tribes of Israel treat the people of the land? How is God consistent with his nature when he declares judgment on his people? How does this situation affect your attitude about God’s commandments for you?

Judges 2:6 through 3:6 – To what extent does the people’s obedience to God depend on an obedient leader? How does God provide a way for the people to get to know him? In what ways can you know God? What specific commandments do the Israelites disobey (See Deut. 7:1-5)?

Judges 3:7-31 – How do the people respond to being educated in ways of the ONE true God? What are the reasons for the success of the judges? What pattern of God’s dealings with his people do you see in this chapter?

Judges 4-5 – What pressures move the children of Israel to appeal to God for deliverance? Why are Deborah and Barak considered to be co-deliverers? How does Sisera’s army fall?

Judges 6 – What do Gideon’s actions and conversation reveal about his character? What do you learn about guidance from Gideon’s experience? To what extent will you claim God’s faithfulness to enable you to do what God has called you to do?

Judges 7 – In what ways are the selected soldiers more qualified than the ones sent home? How does God continue to be the controlling influence in Israel’s battle preparations and strategy? What causes the Midianites’ to panic? What do you learn here about the way God’s strength works through human weakness? How can you know God’s strength in your life today?

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.

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

Guided By His Word

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Mark Shields

This day with God, we have a chance to embrace the lessons of the bible so they settle in our heart along with the experiences of life and prayer to lead us on our path to victory.

Step Ahead

The Lord guides us today 
And things fall into place
With the spoken word 
That we love to embrace.

Lessons are given 
From the Bible 
That sink into the heart 
And make us able.

Instructions are given
As we follow the Way,
Worship in song with praise,
And pray throughout the day.

There is a change 
In behavior
As we follow the Way
Of our Lord and Savior. 
This wonderful day
With providence,
We step ahead
In confidence.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 06-03-2021
Inspired by
“Guided By His Word”
Photo – Taken at Carleen Bright Arboretum in Woodway Texas about 2 miles from my house

View original post

Posted in Poems | Tagged Advice, Decisions, Grace, Guidance, Insight, poem, Prayer, Savior, Spirit | 1 Comment

Set Free on the Road to Victory

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Mark Shields

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. – Matthew 28:19-20

The post “Today’s Exciting Gift” is about the gift of Jesus appearing after He had risen. He gave instructions to the disciples and these instructions are still available to us today through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.

We have the opportunity to tell others about this exciting gift available to all. The song Come to the Table by Sidewalk Prophets is about offering this food for the soul to others by meeting together to tell about the Good News of the gospel. Let us set out today to prepare more followers to be set free and step ahead on the road to victory.