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

Questions for Reflection for Study of Mark 15 – 16

Posted on May 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.

Mark 15:1-15 – To what extent are the priests concerned about the outcome of the trial before Pilate (See verses 1, 3, 10-11)? How does Pilate seem to feel about Jesus? Does Jesus try to affect the outcome of the trial?

Mark 15:16-32 – What humiliations does Jesus experience in this passage (See verse 14:65)? What is ironical about what the soldier and people say about Jesus? What do they ask Jesus to do (Verses 30, 32)? What do they misunderstand about seeing and believing?

Mark 15:33-47 – Crucifixions were common in society during this time but what was different about the events of this crucifixion? How is God involved in the crucifixion? What is significant about the torn curtain? How can I more effectively communicate the good news of Jesus’ death on the cross?

Mark 16:1-8 – What are the women’s concern as they go to the tomb in the early morning? How do they feel as they go from the tomb? What information do they receive about Jesus from the young man? What message are they to tell? What is your response to the fact of the resurrection?

Mark 16:9-20 – To whom does Jesus appear in these verses? How does Jesus encourage the disciples? How do the disciples carry out Jesus’ commission? What are some ways you can prepare others so they can gain the victory?

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 Mark 13-14

Posted on May 17, 2021 by Mark Shields

Photo – Bing Images

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in Mark 13-14 and sharing some thoughts that benefit us 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.

In the post “Victorious Finish”, thoughts were given as to the reasons for the forewarnings of Jesus. One take away is to be persistent even when it is hard to be optimistic. Knowledge of what God promises gives endurance through our difficulty and we can take on the challenges with joyful awareness of God’s ability to bring a victorious finish.

Written in “Top Priority” was about the woman who poured expensive perfume on the head of Jesus. The woman was giving as a servant and showing her gratitude to Jesus for what He was going to accomplish. In the same way, our top priority should be to strive to give God our best … the best part of our day!

As explained in the post “God Speed”, Jesus had the ability to know things before they even happened. As believers, we have the advantage if this same power through the Holy Spirit and things will fall into place faster than imagined along this journey.

A thought brought out from the post “Combined Strength of the Whole” was that together each individual provides something to the cause. The Holy Spirt provides a means to work together as ONE in Christ and the application of our faith then becomes combined excellence for God’s glory.

We should be inspired by the aspiration of Jesus to fulfill His purpose as noted in the post “Inspiration to Aspiration”. Jesus was in distress because the time was near for Him to be arrested and go through the agonizing death on the cross. He prayed for God to spare him of this agony but understood and would continue to follow God’s will to victory even if it meant death on the cross.

The Word gives us lessons for facing our fears like explained in the post “Soar Higher with Resistance”. A photo was used to help illustrate how resistance of divergent winds raise a kite higher. Going with the wind may get us to where we want to go faster but going against the wind lifts us to places higher and higher.

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 in current times.

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

Act of Devotion

Posted on May 14, 2021 by Mark Shields

This poem was written to inspire persevering during dark times by relying on a power inside that is greater than we could ever imagine as we stay focused on the Way of the Lord rather than worldly pleasures.

Step Ahead

Press on during dark times 
And get closer to the Lord
Rather than on worldly pleasures
That keep you off guard.

Giving a little extra 
Changes everything
So dig a little further
Into what faith does bring.

An extra hour each day
Changes the temperature
Going through the seasons
From winter to summer.

So does an extra hour
Of daily devotion
Warm the heart each day
And sets your faith in motion.

For warmer days ahead,
Get on the path that is clear
And step ahead each day
As you persevere.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 05-13-2021
Inspired by
“Act of Devotion”
Photo - Sunset at Lake Waco

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Consecration, Devotion, Going Extra Mile, Inspiration, Perseverance, Poetry, Prayer | Leave a comment

Facing Fears

Posted on May 13, 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

The post “Soar Higher with Resistance” used the Word to give us a lesson for facing our fears. Peter was afraid and denies Christ three times. A photo was used to help illustrate how resistance of divergent winds raise a kite higher. Going with the wind may get us to where we want to go faster but going against the wind lifts us to places higher and higher.

God is in control so let us take courage in the challenges we face with boldness because with God by our side, everything will turn out right. This day with God, let us rely on the Word as our guide, write down the plan of action to take, and use photos or songs like Battle is the Lord’s by Rebecca St. James ft. Brandon Lake to encourage.

As pointed out in the song, our confidence is for sure because God has gone before. We can take courage in this fight because the weapons of this war are praises lifted high! The future is not heavy on my soul because God is in control. He’s is here now and will show us how!

Index of devotionals

Posted in Bible Study, Courage | Tagged Confidence, Courage, Devotional, Fear, Grace, Music, Praise, Worship | 1 Comment

Soar Higher with Resistance

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Mark Shields

This day with God will be amazing because we will soar higher and higher using resistance to propel us to face our challenges with boldness. We will rely on the Word as our guide today as we read Mark 14:66-72 and write down the steps of action. God is in control and with Him by our side, everything will turn out right.

Peter had committed earlier in Mark 14 to keeping his faith even if threatened with death but Jesus had told Peter he would disown him three times. In today’s passage, we read that Peter does disown Jesus. He breaks down emotionally and weeps because he lacked the courage to stand up for Jesus.

Facing an unknown future, many react the same as Peter; lacking the courage to stand up for the Truth. In the days leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, many were afraid. In current times, we face fear but we can have confidence because the Spirit is with us

If facing difficulty while standing up for the Truth, it’s important to realize that courage is like a kite when divergent winds raise it higher. Going with the wind may get us to where we want to go faster but going against the wind lifts us to places higher and higher.

The resistance of the wind makes the kite fly and for a society to get to a higher level of enlightenment, it must have the courage to resist what is wrong even when the multitude has no desire to get above what keeps us down. The photo below was taken one spring day at my family farm near Teague Texas.

This day with God, we’ve learned a lesson on using resistance to raise us higher. The things of this world that we think can cause harm to us do not have power over us. Help us Lord to make known Your Truth and the grace You offer even when the world resist. Lord, if this day is filled with some resistance, let us smile and say thank You as we continue to offer grace in Jesus name. Amen.