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

Questions for Reflection for Study of Numbers 1-7

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Mark Shields

I would like take this time to thank you for reading and liking the posts. This blog started from a life transformation group several years ago with just a few followers and now has grown to over 1,945 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. 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 top right side of this post 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.

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 Numbers 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

Numbers 1 – 2
What does God command Moses to do? How does the numbering show the Lord’s concern for individuals? What are the Levites’ tasks? Why aren’t they numbered? To what extent is organization important to God?

Numbers 3
What are the two main functions of the Levites? What are Moses, Aaron, and his sons responsible for? To what extent are you as careful in defining and attending to your spiritual responsibilities as Moses and Aaron are in this chapter?

Numbers 4
What are the duties assigned to the Levites? How is such detail and teamwork demonstrated in your church fellowship or small group? Why do you think such detail was given to the tent of meeting and its contents? How do you handle directions given by those in authority over you?

Numbers 5
How are uncleanness and defilement dealt with in this chapter? What are the reasons God’s presence and defilement cannot co-exist? What are the results when truth is the standard?

Numbers 6:1-21
What are the three main instructions for the person who wants to make the Nazarite vow? What is the remedy for involuntary breaking of the oath? Why do you think the requirements are so strict? What is the procedure when the time of the Nazarite’s separation is complete?

Numbers 6:22 through 7:89
What promises are given in the blessing of verses 24-26? What does the detail of verses 12-88 show of God’s concern for worship and offering to him? In what specific ways are you learning to walk in obedience to God day by day?

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 | Leave a comment

Worship 4-19-2020

Posted on April 19, 2020 by Mark Shields

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.

Below are some thoughts I got from today’s message.

Reading in Daniel 3:1-30, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t pay attention to the king’s demand to worship the image of gold. They were not like everyone else or abnormal!

In the same way, we should constantly recalibrate our understanding of normal because it’s overrated. Normal is living with fear, worry, and doubt. Instead, let us live with faith, composure, and confidence because God can take what bounds us to set us free. Living out a life that is faithful to Jesus Christ by trusting and obeying in the face of hardship. Rejecting the normal and willing to double down on what’s abnormal.

Posted in Daniel, Discipline, Sermon Thoughts | Tagged Church, Music, Podcast, Praise, Sermon, Technology, Worship | Leave a comment

Discern the Best Way

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Mark Shields

This poem emphasizes the need to respect God and have discernment. The Bible is all about gaining wisdom because we are learning from the past, praying in the present, and listening for instructions toward the future.

Step Ahead

Let us consider
All ramifications
And Inquire of the Lord
For directions.

For decisions
On priority,
Using time wisely,
And acting morally.

What seems to be small
May become large
So seek to clarify
Letting God be in charge.

Staying away
From the serpent
With daily prayer
Giving discernment.

Following the truth,
Receiving grace,
Accepting the Savior
So things fall in place

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Obedience, Poetry, Prayer, Wisdom | Leave a comment

The Way to Follow

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Mark Shields

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 3:18

Knowledge from worldly endeavors can change over time. One thought from the post “Sure Way” is that the world wants to trust science but as the years go by, we find out that science made the wrong assertions that were proven incorrect. An example would be the thinking that the earth was flat.

Instead, as pointed out in the song The Way by Jeremy Camp let us grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ so we get to our desired destination. Jesus studied, listened, reflected and gave us the Way to follow.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Good Common Sense | Tagged Bible, Devotional, Faith, Grace, Hope, Knowledge, Love, Music, Praise, Priority, Video | Leave a comment

Sure Way

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Mark Shields

Knowledge from the Bible is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The author of Hebrews 13:9-16 advises to rely on the teachings of Christ rather than be so concerned with external religious demands that provide no benefit. Rather, be fed by God’s grace with more concern for the internals like faith, hope, and love.

To gain these internals, identify with Christ by means of sacrifices and offerings to God including daily Bible study, prayer, and relationship building that last forever. That’s what Jesus did on earth. He studied, listened, and reflected but also used His time wisely in fulfilling His purpose. We should do the same and also desire to be a good examples for others.

As noted from Family Times, we should simplify the confusing world by spending time on what is really important. Time spent on gaining knowledge from school, career, and other worldly endeavors are for temporary use but knowledge from God’s Word is permanent.

The builders of the Titanic were thought to have made a ship that could not sink but it did. A few years ago, my wife and I went to a Titanic display at the Mayborn Museum in Waco Texas. Our ticket to get in was the boarding pass below.

As you sail away on your voyage called life, make sure you get on the ship that is proven, leads you to where you want to go, and has a Captain that can see the obstacles ahead. Our growing relationship with the Lord and our service to Him will never sink but stay afloat and last forever. On top of that, our knowledge gained in the spiritual realm remains the same over time so we never have to waste our time relearning the next best way. Building up of our faith is always worthwhile, useful, constant, and available to all.

This day with You Lord, help us to follow the best way which is Your Way. Not the way of the world but the Way you provide in Your word. We set out today on our voyage of life knowing that amazing things will happen because we are following Your Way, believing, and obeying. Amen.