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

Let the Praise of the Lord Ever Be

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Mark Shields

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:19-21

The post “Giving Total Effort” pointed out that the poor widow was willing to do something that the scribes were not and she produced a positive example that the scribes couldn’t match up to. Many gave large amounts to the temple treasury but their contribution was a small portion of their total wealth. On the other hand, the poor widow gave just two small copper coins worth a few cents but she gave all she had.

Give praise to those that give all they have just as Jesus gave praise to the poor widow who gave two small coins to the temple treasury. We give praise to Jesus today who gave total effort when He died for all on the Cross. As pointed out in the song Ever Be by Aaron Shust, let the praise of the Lord ever be on our lips.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals | Tagged Devotional, Effort, Heaven, Music, Poor, Praise, Rich, Treasure, Worship | 1 Comment

Giving Total Effort

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Mark Shields

Jesus was giving total effort to teaching in the temple courts and asked the question to the people in Mark 12:35-44, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the Son of David”? The Jewish opinion about the kingdom was a powerful military empire that ruled over the entire world. They called it the kingdom of David but Jesus explains the question by referring to the Scripture in Psalm 110 which points out that David was not the Messiah but was an ancestor to the eventual Messiah.

Jesus told the people to watch out for the teachers of the law. They looked good on the outside with their wealth, intellect, and elite social gatherings but only gave partial effort. Their effort was mainly to look good on the outside so they appeared to be rich in spirit knowing everything with eloquent speeches and lengthy prayers but on the inside they were poor.

Jesus goes on to point out the total effort of the widow who gave an offering to the temple treasury. Many rich people gave large amounts but their contribution was a small portion of their total wealth. On the other hand, the poor widow gave just two small copper coins worth a few cents but she gave all she had.

The widow was willing to do something that the scribes were not and she produced a positive example that the scribes couldn’t match up to. She gave total effort by giving all that she had. Let us give total effort today as we pursue eternal assets which are the principles taught by Christ rather than pursuing worldly wealth like the scribes.

This day with You Lord, let our praise ever be on our lips. We live in Your light, trust in Your love, and step ahead in this life with total effort. The principles You teach in Your word never let us down and are essentials for life that are flawless. The provide treasure in heaven wealth worth much more than silver or gold. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Going Extra Mile | Tagged Bible Study, Effort, Heaven, Photo, Poor, Prayer, Rich, Treasure | 4 Comments

My Part of the World – Waco Texas 4-18-2021

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Mark Shields

Photo Source – Bing Images

In my part of the world, there was a victory celebration and parade this past week for the Baylor University basketball team who won the college national championship.

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 12:35-44 – * What is the Jewish opinion about the kingdom? How does Jesus explain the question from Psalm 110? How does Jesus characterize the scribes? What is Jesus pointing out about the widow’s contribution to the temple treasury of just two very small copper coins worth only a few cents?

Thanks for reading my blog and keeping me accountable to daily Bible study. For your inspiring blog posts that give me a lift as I begin each day.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Questions for Reflection, Quiet Time | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Photos, Praise, Quiet Time, Songs, victory | 4 Comments

Reflection on the Past Week

Posted on April 17, 2021 by Mark Shields

The Bible gives us wisdom because we are learning lessons from the past, praying in the present, and listening for instructions toward the future.

The Sadducees questioned Jesus about marriage at the resurrection in Mark 12:18-27. They hoped to trick Jesus but Jesus embarrasses them by pointing out how meaningless their question was and that they didn’t know the Scriptures or the power of God (v. 24).

A lesson Jesus gives us in this passage is not to make sure the question being asked is based on the right premise. If we accept the premise others have, we give credence to their way of thinking which may be way off base. Instead, correct the wrong assertion and explain why the question is meaningless.

The religious and political leaders were debating Jesus leading up to Mark 12:28-34. They had planned to trap Jesus by asking some controversial questions on taxes and marriage. Their ultimate aim was to find an excuse to kill Jesus.

A scribe noticed that Jesus had answered their questions perfectly so he asked another question, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

Jesus answers, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Verses 30-31).”

Love is life and you never fail as long as love is in your heart so desire to learn the principles of Christ, invite Him into your heart to guide your every step, and build a bridge from a place of doom to a place where you flourish and bloom. Next week, I’ll continue the study within the book of Mark.

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

Organized for Victory

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Mark Shields

Organization is important on a football team or a marching band. It’s important to God too because it takes His people working together to carry out His plan. Read this poem to inspire organization.

Step Ahead

Like a playbook for a football team or musical notes for a marching band, God’s Word helps us stay organized to win at life as we study together and as the Holy Spirit helps us apply what we are told to do.

Organization 
Is essential
Because together 
There is more potential.

Carrying out the plan
With cooperation
For the duration
Along with discipline.

Like sports teams 
Or marching bands,
They are organized
And each understands.

In football they know
What position they play
And they practice the plays
For many days.

In a marching band,
Everyone performs
All in a straight line
Or in various forms. 

They follow instructions 
Knowing their role 
And how to line up
To meet the goal.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 04-15-2021
Inspired by
“Organized for Victory”

View original post