Thought From Devotional 08-29-2025

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Mark Shields

A thought from 1 John 3:1-10 is that some situations may not be that pleasant, and life can feel heavy with uncertainty or pain. Yet, hold fast to hope, for God has the power to transform even the darkest moments into something beautiful. Each new sunrise offers a fresh beginning, a chance to start again, while each sunset gently closes the day with another memory to treasure. A song from the past might stir the heart and lift the spirit, reminding you of where you’ve been and how far you’ve come. But above all, never forget the most profound truth: because of what Jesus did on the cross, you are a child of God—loved, redeemed, and never alone.

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Eyes Always On The Lord

Posted on August 28, 2025 by Mark Shields

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. – Psalm 16:8

Reflecting on Jonah 1 and shared in “From Ordinary to Extraordinary” are valuable lessons about fulfilling our God-given potential. God has created each of us with the capacity for success but reaching that potential requires us to take intentional actions as we step ahead. It begins with prayer, seeking His guidance and wisdom. Then, we must follow His will, trusting in His plan for our lives. Finally, maintaining disciplined effort ensures that we stay on the path He has set before us, allowing us to grow and accomplish His purpose.

Life is a journey of growth, and learning from mistakes allows us to become wiser and stronger so we can truly live with purpose. Take inspiration from the lyrics of the song Fix My Eyes by King & Country and love fearlessly, extending kindness without hesitation. Fight for the weak, stand up for justice, and speak boldly for freedom. Above all, let us keep our eyes fixed on the Lord who gives us the strength and guidance to walk the path He has set before us.

Index of devotionals

Thanks for reading. Please like, follow, and pass on to others … Let’s keep our eyes always on the Lord!

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From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Mark Shields

When we listen to God and follow His direction, what seems ordinary can become extraordinary as He blesses our days with remarkable moments and guides us in ways beyond our expectations. In Jonah 1, we witness this through the experiences of Jonah, a prophet in Israel around 721 B.C.

God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn its people of their sinful ways, offering them a chance to turn back to Him. However, Jonah resisted this command and chose to flee, setting sail for Tarshish instead. In his attempt to escape God’s presence, Jonah embarked on a journey that would ultimately reveal the futility of running from the purpose He has for each of us.

Jonah fled from God because he feared making a stand against society. He was afraid of the criticism, harassment, and persecution that would come with delivering God’s message to Nineveh. Instead of trusting in God’s plan, he chose to run, avoiding the difficult path of obedience and the responsibility placed upon him.

Because Jonah ignored God’s instructions, God sent a great storm upon the sea, threatening the lives of the sailors. When they realized that Jonah was the cause of God’s anger, he asked them to throw him overboard to calm the storm. As soon as they did, the sea became still, and Jonah was swallowed by a great fish. For three days and three nights, he remained in the belly of the fish, facing the consequences of his disobedience and preparing for the redemption that awaited him.

In our present times, God calls us to follow His instructions, beginning with prayer and seeking His guidance. As we determine the purpose He has for us, we must commit to following His will with faith, love, and obedience. It takes disciplined effort to walk in His plan, but by dedicating time each day to fulfill His purpose, we grow closer to Him and live out the calling He has placed on our lives.

Reflecting on Jonah 1 reveals valuable lessons about fulfilling our God-given potential. God has created each of us with the capacity for success but reaching that potential requires us to take intentional actions as we step ahead. It begins with prayer, seeking His guidance and wisdom. Then, we must follow His will, trusting in His plan for our lives. Finally, maintaining disciplined effort ensures that we stay on the path He has set before us, allowing us to grow and accomplish His purpose.

When we keep our eyes always on You Lord in all we do, what was ordinary becomes extraordinary. The world constantly says we should do things a certain way, but You are the only ONE who has our best interest in mind. Help us to follow Your way with faith, love, and obedience to fulfill the purpose You have for us. The Spirit within will give us the steps to take as we set out each day with confidence towards and awesome future of excellence by setting our minds on the way of Jesus. Amen.

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Question for Reflection for the Study of Jonah

Posted on August 26, 2025 by Mark Shields

The journey through Philippians has provided us with encouragement and guidance, setting a solid foundation for the path as we step ahead. As we continue to immerse ourselves in God’s Word, our goal remains to draw wisdom and insight that will empower us to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives—whether at work, at home, or in our interactions with others. This endeavor promises to be a rich and rewarding experience, fortifying our spiritual growth and strengthening our commitment to applying biblical principles in all that we do.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable as I share about God’s Word. To share about Jonah, it’s important to have a plan in place. I am thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us, and by accepting Christ as Savior, we have taken the essential steps to make each day amazing. This plan will guide our journey, ensuring that we gain a deeper understanding of the scriptures and apply them meaningfully in our daily lives.

Questions for Reflection

Jonah 1 – What is God asking Jonah to do? How does God recapture Jonah’s attention? What is God telling you through your present circumstances? What characteristics of Jonah are obvious in this passage?

Jonah 2 – What attitude toward God lead Jonah to pray during his difficult circumstances? What alternatives to prayer do you use when distressed? What vow did Jonah make? What vows to God will you pay today?

Jonah 3 – What is Jonah’s responsibility in the mission to Nineveh? What will God do to help Jonah? How might God use you in your school, work, or community?

Jonah 4 – How does God use the plant to illustrate the righteousness of his actions toward Nineveh? What has God taught through your study of the book of Jonah? What actions will you take from this teaching?

Feel free to respond with a thoughtful note or a comment about any of the questions discussed. Additionally, I warmly invite you to share your favorite inspirational videos, photos, or Bible verses that have touched your heart. Please contribute your ideas and reflections in the comments or post them on the dedicated Facebook page: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey. Together, let’s build a nurturing community that uplifts and supports one another in our spiritual growth and journey through faith. Your voice and inspiration can spark hope and encouragement in someone else’s day!

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.

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/>.

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Thanks for Reading and Liking

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Mark Shields

I would like to take this time to sincerely thank every one of you for reading and liking the posts. This blog started from a small group with just a few followers and has now grown into a vibrant community of thousands. It has been an incredible tool in my journey through the Bible, and I am deeply grateful for your support. You, my readers, are truly instrumental in holding me accountable to daily Bible reading and study. Your engagement, comments, and encouragement mean the world to me, and I look forward to continuing this journey together. Thank you for being part of this amazing experience!

In our fast-paced world, where busy schedules often dominate our lives, it is truly a blessing to be able to share thoughts about this spiritual journey with others across the globe through the Internet. The ability to connect and inspire one another in our faith is a gift that we should cherish. Tomorrow, I will include Questions for Reflection that will encourage deeper thought and provide ideas for applying biblical principles in every aspect of our lives—at work, at home, and in all that we do. Let’s continue to grow together and support each other on this meaningful path.

Here is a link to all the devotionals done so far organized by book of the Bible and specific chapter within that book.

Index of devotionals

If you 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 spiritual journey. Another way to keep up with my spiritual journey is through the Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual 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. 

Again, thanks for reading. Please like, follow, and pass on to others … let us encourage each other along the journey.

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