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

Answer to Questions

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Mark Shields

We sometimes question why so many bad things happen in this world. The hate, mass shootings, and the suffering from disease. There have been difficult days in the past and there will be some difficult days ahead but it’s important to have patience and always hold on to hope in order to endure.

The Lord knows the plans for us. His plans for a future of safety, accomplishment, and confidence. Let us take these plans to shed light in dark times until the occurrence of God’s promises result in brighter days ahead.

Reading in Hebrews 10:1-10, the sacrifices of the Old Testament are repeated endlessly and only a reminder of the sins of humanity. The sins couldn’t be permanently wiped away. On the other hand, the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the Cross was made once for all. Christ’s obedience superseded sacrifices and offerings because nothing else could permanently take away sin like the new covenant which became permanent for all eternity.

Growing in faith, doing good deeds, and being a good person are a result of trusting Christ but they are not the means of gaining eternal life. Only the blood of Christ can do that. It is only after accepting Christ that we are guilt free, changed, and made holy.

Because of what Christ has done for us, we have hope for things getting better and better. Sometimes we may have questions and not understand but what’s important is to keep asking; keep seeking answers.

This day with You Lord, we constantly have questions for why things are the way they are and why something can’t happen to make the world a better place but the answer to our questions are not found in something but in someone. Things of this world always let us down but our hope in Christ never does. Nothing we ever face will be greater than knowing Christ and the guidance we get from the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Hope | Tagged Bible Study, Confidence, Eternity, Future, Hope, Patience, Plans, Prayer | 2 Comments

Worship Live Today 03-15-2020

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Mark Shields

Today, you can worship as a household online at 9:30 am via 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 Church, Podcast, Praise, Sermon, Technology | Leave a comment

Free to Fly Higher

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Mark Shields

This poem is inspired by Leviticus 4. A procedure was laid out for the atonement of sin. We can be grateful today that God’s plan on the cross makes possible a way to step ahead of what holds us back with the prevailing knack of being an overcomer.

Step Ahead

Step ahead today
With the prevailing knack;
Free to fly high,
Never being held back.

For God is big enough
To make what seems
Impossible … possible
And fulfills our dreams.

So today we start
Seizing the obstacle
By doing what’s needed
And then what’s possible.

Before you know it,
The impossible
Is being done daily
Until unstoppable.

With more hearts for Jesus
In our community
And we celebrate
In total unity.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 01-30-2020
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Leviticus 4”

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Blessed, Eternal, Grateful, Joy, Love, Peace, Poetry, Praise, victory | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Hebrews 10 – 13

Posted on March 11, 2020 by Mark Shields

We are nearing the end of our journey through the book of Hebrews with three more chapters to go. We will continue to be focused on the purpose of this blog as we continue to use it in helping us to apply His Word in our life. I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are keeping 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

Anyone can join in as we journey together.

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 Leviticus 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

Hebrews 10:1-10
What characteristics of the Old Testament sacrifices indicate they are only preparatory? How does Christ’s obedience supersede sacrifices and offerings? What is the result of Christ’s sacrifice for you?

Hebrews 10:11-25
What is similar about the sanctuary curtain and Christ? What will happen to Christ’s enemies? What is the unique promise of the new covenant? Through what creative ways can you make love and good works a part of your life?

Hebrews 10:26-39
What is the great need for the Hebrew Christians? What is the plight of the Hebrews if they shrink back? What is your plight if you throw away your confidence in Jesus Christ? How can you prevent that plight?

Hebrews 11:1-12
How are faith and hope connected? How are faith and reality connected? Who are some people listed in this passage that exemplified faith? In what areas and circumstances is God now asking for your faith? With what results?

Hebrews 11:13-26
What are the attitudes of the people to whom God made promises? What is God’s attitude toward these people? How will your identification with Christ and faith in God’s promises affect the choices now and in the future?

Hebrews 11:27-40
How are faith and action related? What unity do you have with Old Testament believers? How does this unity affect your daily living (See 12:1)?

Hebrews 12:1-13
What can you do today to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles? Why is discipline beneficial to you? What attitudes show that you are accepting the challenge of God’s discipline?

Hebrews 12:14-24
What are the commands the author gives? How did people in the past approach God? How do people meet with God today? How should we respond to the assistance we all have in fulfilling our life purpose?

Hebrews 12:25 through 13:8
What characteristics of the new kingdom are given here? What are the actions and qualities which the author urges? How does the understanding of God in 12:25-29 lead to these actions and qualities? How do you implement them into your daily living?

Hebrews 13:9-24
What truths does the author claim? To what extent do you identify with Christ? What are the suitable sacrifices and offerings to God? In what ways will you make them today?

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

Endless Power in Us

Posted on March 10, 2020 by Mark Shields

This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. – 1 John 5:14-15

Inch by inch, anything is a cinch because of confidence in God. Trust in God’s plan for us and expect good to happen because God thinks we are AWESOME!

As explained in the post “Ticket to Paradise”, He thinks so much of us that He gave His only Son so that we may grow in grace and look ahead to flourishing in paradise forever.

The one who divided the duration of the world into two parts (B. C. and A. D.) and procures the pardon of sin once for all now acts as our go-between; enabling the power that flows through Him in a purposeful way to flow through us.

As the song Greatness of Our God by Newsboys says, His power is endless and He lives within us.