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

Climb Higher Towards Spiritual Assets

Posted on December 28, 2020 by Mark Shields

This day with God will be amazing because we will focus on the ONE true God. We will not focus on the world in which disorder expands to fill the void of human failure. Instead, we will put our focus on God’s way of order so the void will be filled with a future of peace and joy.

Today, we are reading Deuteronomy 12 which explains the difference in the Canaanite gods and the Lord our God. Moses tells the people that the Canaanite gods were many but there is only ONE true God and one central place of worship to bring offerings, sacrifices, tithes, and special gifts.

This central place of worship would be determined once they cross the Jordan and settle in the land the Lord had promised. They were to destroy the Canaanite gods because their focus should be on worshiping the ONE true God who gives peace and joy. Their attitude in worship should be to rejoice, be grateful, and to follow instructions carefully.

These attitudes of worship are still important to us today. Without attention to God, our attitudes, activities, relationships, places we go, and our habits can lead us in the wrong direction. Without our attention on God, there is disunity, chaos and grumbling. We live in a world in which there is so many competing interest but the ways of the Lord are always beneficial so we should climb higher towards spiritual assets like faith, hope, and love rather than material assets of this world.

This day with You Lord, we pray for total attention on You. The guiding principles of Your Word are essentials for life. In this ever-changing world, we rely on Your guiding principles to lead us higher. Forgive us for putting too much attention on material things that are full of promises we can’t keep. Help us to focus on You because You always come through. Because of Your promise of Your Son Jesus, the sky is the limit to an awesome future. Amen

Posted in Bible Study, Focus | Tagged Bible Study, Faith, Focus, Hope, Joy, Love, Peace, Prayer | 3 Comments

Don’t Stop Until You Reach The Destination

Posted on December 27, 2020 by Mark Shields

As explained in the Christmas Eve message from my pastor at this Link, when our own strength no longer works, God’s strengths takes over.

We face good times and hard times along the journey of life but don’t stop until you reach the destination. Give it your all to receive a treasure worth more than your imagination can understand.

Worship online via FUMC at this link https://firstwaco.com/ or Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

Posted in Worship | Tagged Christmas, Faith, Hope, Imagination, On-line, Praise, Strength, Treasure, Worship | 5 Comments

If good people barely make it, what’s in store for the bad?

Posted on December 26, 2020 by Mark Shields

God’s standards are high so we need discipline, sacrifice, and persistence.

M. Wiley Wilson

Discipleship — Centerville Christian Fellowship Why it matters to Jesus: Jesus is straight with us. The way is not easy. He says it over and over. Unfortunately, many in the church want us believe otherwise. Solomon knew otherwise as well. God’s goal for us is to persist no matter what.

We need to vigilant.
We need to be disciplined.
We need to follow the narrow way.
We need to take up the way of sacrifice.
We need to leave everything behind for Jesus, our Messiah.

If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and sinful.| Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Proverbs 11:31). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Here is the big picture: Proverbs is aware that one saying which looks simple or pragmatic needs to be accompanied by another which complements it and complicates the matter. Prosperity may seem to come from being ruthless rather than soft-hearted, which brings respect…

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Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Discipline | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Discipline, Persistence, Sacrifice | 2 Comments

Ordinary Wise Men

Posted on December 25, 2020 by Mark Shields

This poem was inspired from a sermon series called “Ordinary People, Extraordinary God” delivered by Pastor Ryan Barnett on 12-01-2019. Ordinary Wise Men studied the ancient text and the stars in the sky. They were experts just carrying out their jobs. We too have experts in current times but we must take into account that God’s expertise is greater so we need to be open to the Word of God, follow His will, live faithfully, and participate in God’s Plan for Us.

Step Ahead

Ordinary Wise Men
 Looking up high
 Noticing a star
 Up in the sky.

  
 Experts in ancient text
 And astronomy
 Carrying out their job
 Methodically.

  
 Experts are good
 But take into account
 That God’s expertise
 Is paramount.

  
 Following the Way
 To align with God’s presence
 And receive instructions
 Towards excellence.

  
 By spending time with God,
 We stand under the spout
 Where the Spirit flows
 And blessings come out.
  
  
 Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-24-2019
 Inspired by Sermon of Ryan Barnett – December 1, 2019Image Source - Bing Images

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Posted in Christmas, Poems | Tagged Astronomy, Blessings, Christmas, Excellence, Faith, Poetry, Stars, Wise Men | 1 Comment

Grasp the Future by Knowing History

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Mark Shields

See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. – Isaiah 42:9

Some of the main points brought out in the post “Pain to Gain” is to document the blessings, share about the tough times, and always teach the next generation the benefits of following the way of God.

Give them a roadmap to success and that God has a plan for us. Fill hearts with the Word of God, observe positives displayed in the world, and use them as a source of inspiration for others.

This day with God, grasp the future by knowing history. As pointed out in the song Clear Skies by Earnie Haase & Signature Sound, life will throw a lot at you but there will be sunshine after the clouds are gone. Look forward to clear skies coming and it won’t be long.