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

Acceptance

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Mark Shields

Individuals and churches may differ in convictions or practice but there is one common thread that binds us; the power of Christ in what we believe and how we live. Today, we will read Mark 10:1-16 offering some thoughts and ideas for connecting to and internalize the guiding principles taught by Christ.

The Pharisees wanted to trick Jesus into issues that caused conflict between the Law of Moses and the new way that Jesus was teaching. They questioned Jesus about divorce probably because it was a touchy subject during that time since Herod the ruler of Judea had divorced his wife.

Later, Jesus was not pleased with the disciples thinking that little children were a distraction. He told them to let the children come so He could bless them. The qualities of enthusiasm, looking forward, and always being amazed about the world around them are the qualities of children that we all need in our life.

We can learn from the principles taught by Christ, from each other, and from sermon messages. Today, we learned about patience and God’s grace which is a gift. This kind gift from God is always available so let us be patient with others and with God’s timing because grace is like a flowing stream of water that keeps coming and coming.

This day with You Lord, we are not perfect but because of Jesus You accept us. We are saved by grace because of unmerited love. This grace keeps flowing and is available to everyone. It binds us together to accomplish awesome things in the world around us. Amen.

Posted in Acceptance, Bible Study | Tagged Acceptance, Bible Study, enthusiasm, Grace, Love, Photo, Prayer, Unity | 4 Comments

Questions for Reflection for Study of Mark 10 – 11

Posted on March 7, 2021 by Mark Shields

The journey through Deuteronomy came to a close last week and now the journey will go back into the book of Mark. 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 Mark 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

Mark 10:1-16 – What, do you think, do the Pharisees expect or want Jesus to say? Relate Jesus’ view of marriage with God’s initial purpose in creating the two sexes. What is the essence of the Marriage bond? What is Jesus’ attitude toward His standards in view of human weakness? What qualities of children are necessary to enter the kingdom and need to be a part of our life?

Mark 10:17-31 – What prevents the man’s relationship with God? What about riches makes entering the kingdom hard? What have you left to follow Jesus? What will be your gain?

Mark 10:32-45 – What do you think makes the disciples amazed and afraid? What additional facts about his future does Jesus divulge (Also read Mk 8:31 and Mk 9:12)? What are your aims in regard to Jesus’ kingdom? What are the meaning of cup and baptism? What is Jesus’ concept of leadership (Read Mk 9:33-37)?

Mark 10:46-52 – What qualities does Bartimaeus reveal? What do you want Jesus to do for you? What is the cause and result of Bartimaeus’ healing?

Mark 11:1-11 – What Jewish feast is being observed? In what ways do the disciples act in faith when they follow the instructions given to them by Jesus? What does Jesus do when he gets to Jerusalem?

Mark 11:12-25 – For what reason does Jesus perpetuate the state in which he finds the fig tree? According to Jesus, what is the purpose of the temple? Why does the action of Jesus within the temple courts bring fear to the priests and scribes? In what ways does Jesus use the fig tree to illustrate prayer?

Mark 11:27-33 – What is the authority of priests, scribes, and elders? What do you think is their purpose in asking Jesus to prove his authority (See 2:6-7; 3:2; 7:1-5; 10:2)? What is the ultimate irony of their answer to Jesus’ question?

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

The Journey Continues

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Mark Shields

I would like take this time to thank you for reading and liking the posts. This blog started from a small group several years ago with just a few followers and now has grown to over 2,250 followers. I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are holding me accountable to daily Bible reading and study.

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.

Here is a link to all the devotionals done so far.

Index of devotionals

If you are visiting and would like to get notified with each new post, I invite you to click on the follow button on the far top right of this page to join me on this journey.

Also, the concepts presented in God’s Perfect Timing offer ideas for using our time wisely and the lessons of God’s Plan for Us gives a method towards making an impact in the world in which we live.

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

Benefits of Discipline

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Mark Shields

Jesus is our great inspiration as we consider how He suffered for us on the cross. It moves us to endure temporary difficulty for eternal victory. Read the word of God to collect the precious insight to help with discipline and in overcoming the difficulties to reach new heights.

Step Ahead

It takes skilled people;
 Not whippersnappers
 With disciplined skills
 To build sky scrapers.

  
 Every single day
 Giving it their best try
 As the structure
 Reaches way up high.

  
 Little things become big  
 And in the same way,
 Read the Word daily
 As you also pray.

  
 Building your life  
 With faith you acquire
 As the Good News 
 Elevates you higher.

  
 The skies the limit
 In what to expect
 With the Holy Spirit
 Your architect!
   
Poem by Mark Shields – © 03-04-2021
Inspired by  “Benefits of Discipline”
This Photo was taken in downtown Dallas while we waited to be seated   at my nieces wedding rehearsal dinner several years ago.

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Cross, Discipline, Faith, Holy Spirit, Hope, Joy, Life, Love, Peace, Photo, Poetry, Prayer | 1 Comment

More Possible with Each Passing Day

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Mark Shields

Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God. – Luke 18:27

The post “Greatest Quality” offered the thought that the greatest quality of Moses was listening to God and taking action. Sometimes the most difficult decision is simply to act. Moses acted even when lacking confidence at first but he was extremely useful to God as he led His people from bondage in Egypt to the border of the Promised Land.

Just a small amount of faith can do extraordinary things. Listen to songs like What Faith Can Do by Kutless to inspire achievement. Modern day applications created with languages of code to run devices like smart phones and lap tops are used to add even more ways to achievement as the impossible becomes more possible with each passing day.