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

Looking Forward to the Week Ahead

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Mark Shields

Photo Credit : specialgathering.wordpress.com

All previous devotionals are at the link above so you can go at your own pace or use it as a resource in your own writing.

Victory starts by having a plan. By accepting God’s plan for us, all we need to do is follow and believe He will provide the power. He will give the upper hand to make what seems impossible possible.

Looking forward to the week ahead, below are some questions for reflection as the journey continues through the book of Mark

Mark 12:18-27 – * What are the religious beliefs fs the Sadducees concerning the resurrection and angels? How do the Sadducees hope to trick Jesus? In what ways does Jesus embarrass them? In what ways is their question meaningless? How does Jesus validate belief in the resurrection?

Mark 12:28-34 – * What prompts the scribe to question Jesus? What does the scribe think of Jesus’ understanding and answer of his question? What is involved in loving God and your neighbor? How will you love God and your neighbor today?

Like and share so more will be notified. Also, feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. 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.

*Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Quiet Time | Tagged Bible Study, Christianity, Leadership, Plans, Prayer, Purpose, Quiet Time | 3 Comments

Reflection on the Past Week

Posted on April 10, 2021 by Mark Shields

Last week, I wrote about the passage in Mark 12:1-12. This is “The Parable of the Tenants” and one lesson from this parable is that if you accept His Son, then God will accept you into an amazing future in which the impossible becomes possible.

I also wrote some thoughts after reading Mark 12:13-17 and here I shared about the need to be equipped with wisdom from God’s word to handle those who want to cause harm.

The Bible gives us wisdom because we are learning lessons from the past, praying in the present, and listening for instructions toward the future. Next week, I’ll continue the study of Mark 12.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Praise, Quiet Time, Reflection, Songs | 1 Comment

Stepping Ahead to Hebrews

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Mark Shields

One idea for facilitating the application of our faith is the use of inspirational poems because poetry narrows thoughts to a few lines as a way to help the mind encourage the heart into tangible actions. This poem was inspired after finishing my study of the book of Hebrews.

Step Ahead

Be nourished by the gospel; Applying what you learn By following Jesus At each and every turn. Be an example to others And develop strengths carefully By determining your main purpose That fulfills your destiny Be an overcomer; Endure difficulty By growing in positive qualities For eternal victory. Be a person of the word Being grounded and steady So in any circumstance You are always ready. Be boosted by the Holy Spirit; A power that fills your cup To turn the world upside down Because your heart is right side up. Be growing together in faith Because of what’s been done. Refreshed and energized With momentum for what’s to come. Be stepping ahead in faith By removing any doubt. Looking forward to tomorrow Knowing God will work it out. Be living the good life now; Always purpose driven With even better days ahead Because of what’s been given. Be at…

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Destiny, Faith, Focus, Momentum, Overcomer, Peace, Poetry, Purpose, Reward, Teamwork, victory | 1 Comment

Opportunities for Society to Thrive

Posted on April 8, 2021 by Mark Shields

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5

A great lesson was learned from Jesus as explained in the post “Don’t Get Bitten”. The lesson is to use our common sense when the world wants to bite us with its poisonous venom. To be equipped with wisdom from God’s word to handle those who want to cause harm. The religious and political leaders were trying to bite Jesus with a poison that could kill by asking about paying taxes but His clever answer avoided their plan.

For a society to thrive, there must be a balance of priorities and common sense. As individuals, we can put God first and have strong families. Then, balance our finances with fun activities and look forward to a future that can flourish. These individual priorities ultimately permeate society at large permitting communities to flourish.

Within the worship song Your Nature – Kari Jobe, pointed out is that it’s God’s nature to set up a future in which we can flourish. God brings peace, joy, hope, and opportunities for a society to thrive.

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Posted in Devotionals, Wisdom | Tagged Devotional, Equipment, Flourish, Government, Music, Praise, Priorities, Taxes, Tools, Wisdom, Worship | 1 Comment

Don’t Get Bitten

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Mark Shields

The world has a lot of negatives that can bite us with a poisonous venom but we are equipped to put the world in its place. God’s word equips us with the tools we need to catch the poisonous snakes that can bite us.

Reading in Mark 12:13-17, the Herodians mentioned in today’s passage were a sect of Jews who like the Pharisees wanted political independence for the Jewish people. They were friendly to king Herod who wished to restore a member of the Horodian dynasty to the throne of Judea rather than restoring the kingdom of David like the Pharisees wanted to do.

The Herodians along with the Pharisees wanted to set Jesus up. They ask if it was right to pay the imperial tax to Ceasar or not? Jesus knew they were trying to proof he was a teacher who was turning the people against the government so he requested that a coin be brought to him. Then he asked them whose image was on the coin and whose inscription (v. 16)?

They replied Ceasar’s image and inscription. Jesus told them to give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s (v. 17). Jesus demonstrates his wisdom in being able to face the religious and political leaders in this way of answering the question without getting bitten.

Think about it in current times, from local or national government agencies we get services like water, sewer, infrastructure, social security, health care, military, and law enforcement. In return for these benefits, we pay taxes. But there must be a balance between the role of government agencies and the people. Too much of a tax is a burden on a person’s ability to be independent from the government and take care of themselves. On the other hand, there are some roles the government plays that are necessary within a society.

The photo you see in this post was taken recently when this rattlesnake was found in the shrubs next to my house. The city animal control came out with their snake tongs which is a tool to grab a snake. With their tool and knowhow, they put the snake in a bucket and got it back to where it belongs out in the wilderness. In looking at the photo, this could be a diamond back rattler or it could be a timber rattler which is protected under state law and is ILLEGAL to kill in Texas.

Lord, we are grateful for Your word that equips us with the tools we need for protection against worldly enemies that can bite us. Lessons from the Bible, the Holy Spirit speaking to us deep in our hearts, and life experiences provide us with the wisdom needed to escape the poisonous venom of those against us. In Christ name we pray today, amen.