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

One Small Step

Posted on November 24, 2021 by Mark Shields

This day, we are giving God the best part of our day! We are taking in the instructions from His Word and we set out today to apply this Word in all we do. We can get a lot done today because we are starting with one small step and this small step will lead to many steps that will add up so that we will get further than we ever thought we could.

Reading today in 1 Samuel 12, Saul said he had listened to the people because that was what God had told him to do and the people had said they wanted a king to lead them. Saul reminds the people of how the Lord had delivered them from Egypt. Whenever they served the Lord, they were blessed.

As long as they walked in the ways of the Lord, they were given all they needed. The take away for us is to pass on this way of the Lord to the next generation. To pray for those that follow our lead. To keep it simple and get started with the easy part knowing God will step in to finish out the hard part.

The king we serve is our Lord. We can expect a great adventure if we take things to God and allow Him to strengthen us when we are weak; letting Him assist in brightly illuminating our joy so it becomes light along the path.

This day with You Lord, we are making a praise list. You brighten the path along this adventure. You are providing the direction we need and we are taking the opportunity to follow Your directions. It’s an ultimate adventure we are setting out today to seize this day so we can bless others. We will encourage and brighten the day for others and work together to meet the challenges ahead. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Initiative | Tagged Adventure, Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, Initiative, Joy, Photo, Praise, Prayer | 3 Comments

He Will Fight For You

Posted on November 23, 2021 by Mark Shields

Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The Lord your God, who goes before you , He will fight for you. – Deuteronomy 1:29

From the post “Take Courage in the Fight”, a thought was that positive results occur when everyone works together with a belief that the Holy Spirit will lead to victory.

So today my friends, let us power up with prayer and praise. As pointed out in the song Lead Me On by Amy Grant, we can ask the Lord to help lead us on with a courageous vision to make things happen for His glory.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Courage, Devotionals | Tagged Confidence, Courage, Devotional, Holy Spirit, Leadership, Music, Praise, victory, Worship | 1 Comment

Take Courage in the Fight

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Mark Shields

This day with God, we rely on the Word as our guide, we write down the steps of action, and are confident. God is in control so we take courage in the fight as we step ahead with boldness because with God by our side, everything will turn out alright.

Reading today in 1 Samuel 11, Saul had been appointed king of Israel but didn’t have a desire to organize the people in a way that a dominant military ruler would during that time period. The Ammonites sensed this disorganization so they invaded the territory of Jabesh Gilead.

During the crisis, the leaders of Jabesh responded with a lack of courage and didn’t want to fight so they sought to make a treaty with the Ammonites. To communicate to the people, messengers were sent out requesting help. If a rescue did not occur, they would surrender.

They didn’t consult with God because they believed that only a king could deliver them from their enemies. When Saul heard the news, he was angered by the threat of the Ammonites to mistreat his fellow Iraelites (v. 5). The Holy Spirit used this anger to right the wrong.

Sometimes anger prompts one to take action on God’s plan for good. Like pointed out in today’s passage, Saul took action on his anger by developing a plan and responding with strong leadership. He gave the people of Jabesh confidence by sending the messengers back with the promise of a rescue (v. 9).

Then Saul mobilized an army to attack the Ammonites and the plan brought an astonishing victory for the people of Israel. The people attributed the victory to Saul so they all were convinced that Saul should be king (v. 13). Saul had demonstrated leadership for the people but gave all the credit to God.

The thought for us is to give those we lead confidence by helping them see their potential. Communicate that positive results occur when everyone works together with a belief that the Spirit of God will lead to victory. So today my friends, let us power up with the Spirit of Christ by starting our day with prayer.

Lead us on Lord with the indwelling Spirit of Christ. We believe we have what it takes to make things happen for Your glory. With a courageous vision, we believe You are big enough to overcome our enemies and lead us on to reaching our top potential.

Posted in Bible Study, Courage | Tagged Bible Study, Confidence, Courage, Holy Spirit, Leadership, Photo, Prayer, victory | 4 Comments

Documenting the Journey

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Mark Shields

Read today’s poem to inspire the need to journal God’s remarkable happenings around you so they build up, energize, and are utilized to give affirmation in continuous pursuit towards your destiny.

Step Ahead

Documenting 
The improbable
Happenings around you
That are remarkable.

To build a crossing point
That bridges your questions
To the best way
With suggestions.

In order to give  
Affirmation
And organization
To the destination.

Stepping ahead
Gaining experience
Needed to cross over
With confidence.

Then going out each day 
Seeking things heavenly
And sharing with others
This great destiny.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 11-18-2021
Inspired by
“Documenting the Journey” First Photo – The Waco Suspension Bridge which was built for the purpose of crossing the time-consuming and sometimes dangerous ordeal of circumventing the Brazos River near Waco Texas. The bridge was built to support commerce and was a crossing point as they drove cattle up the Chisholm Trail. Second Photo – The statue of the cowboy on his horse and the cow where built in honor of that historic past. The suspension bridge is in the…

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Chisholm Trail, Destiny, History, Journey, Map, Photo, Poems, Prayer, Purpose, Waco | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of 1 Samuel 11 through 16

Posted on November 18, 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 Samuel 11 – How does Israel’s response to the crisis show that they have rejected God? Have you seen God use your mistakes and sins in his plan for good? To whom do the Israelites attribute victory? To whom does Saul attribute deliverance?

1 Samuel 12 – Why does Samuel listen to the people (See 8:7-9 and v. 22)? What may the people and their king expect if they serve the Lord? For whom should you pray regularly, specifically, and earnestly? What are some things that you can praise the Lord for in your life?

1 Samuel 13 – How do the Philistines react to the Geba defeat? What is the result of Saul’s impatience? What disadvantage do the Israelites have?

1 Samuel 14 – What verses show Jonathan’s confidence that the Lord will determine the day’s outcome? What are the effects of Jonathan’s confidence? How have you seen God influence many because of the confidence placed in his power by a few people?

1 Samuel 15 – What instructions does the Lord give Saul for attacking Amalek? Is partial obedience acceptable to God? Do you ever justify partial obedience to God? Why does God reject Saul as king?

1 Samuel 16 – Does the Lord answer Samuel’s question and objection? What instructions does the Lord give Samuel? How is verse 7 important in your attitude? What assurance do these chapters give that God will prepare you?

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.