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

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.

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.

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Posted in Devotionals, Optimism | Tagged Blessings, Devotional, Future, Graduation, Lessons, Music, Optimism, Praise, Vision, Worship | 1 Comment

Pain to Gain

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Mark Shields

Anything faced in life … be it meeting deadlines or making it through school to graduation requires the ability to remain optimistic. Remain inspired by faith, history and mystery for what once caused misery or pain can be turned around to result in a gain.

This day with God will be amazing because we will grasp the future by knowing our history. God can take the tough situations of our past and turn them into something positive. Out of intense difficulties, God can make simplicities emerge. We can be prepared by learning from the lessons of the past, following the instructions of the present, and gaining direction from our vision for the future.

Reading today in Deuteronomy 11, Moses reminds the people of the past signs given by God. He had set up opportunity for them to escape from bondage in Egypt. As they escaped, it looked like they would be captured but then He parted the Red Sea. When they kept God’s laws and commands, they were blessed but were cursed when they rebelled against God.

Now, they were getting set to take possession of the Promised Land. The land flowing with milk and honey. Moses warns them to keep God’s commands and they would be given strength to make it happen. God would bring rain for their land so they could grow crops and they would have plenty of grass for their cattle.

They would flourish if they obeyed God’s commands but the outcome for not keeping God’s commands would be no rain for crops and they would perish. Moses was giving the people a speech much like a commencement speech. They had gone through the years in the wilderness but had made it and were graduating into a new phase of opportunity in their life.

This day with You Lord, we strive to be inspired by faith, history, and mystery. The past has been amazing but there are remarkable things left in the future. We have optimism today because of what you’ve done in the past and we believe in Your mysterious power to step in to redirect the fate of our future. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Optimism | Tagged Bible Study, Blessings, Future, Graduation, Lessons, Optimism, Prayer, Vision | 4 Comments

Confidence in Providence

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Mark Shields

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. – Proverbs 29:18

The post “Anchored to His Commandments” had some thoughts about Moses giving the people confidence in providence. He gave them a vision for their future and was preparing them for the Promised Land; a land flowing with milk and honey. To maintain that vision and preparation, Moses pointed out the importance of following the Ten Commandments.

We have a duty to God in how we live and an obligation to our neighbors. With the Ten Commandments, we are anchored to these laws of God and see others the way God sees them. Everyone is equal in His eyes; endowed with unalienable rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Like the song Confidence by Sanctus Real, by following God’s commandments, we build a society of assurance for the future. Stepping ahead with faith like Daniel in the lion’s den, hope like Moses in the wilderness, and a heart like David to take action. The Lord will be our defense as we face our giants with confidence.