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

Champions

Posted on December 30, 2019 by Mark Shields

I hope you will be blessed this upcoming New Year. This poem is inspired by all the sporting events this time of the year and the ones starting up in a few months. It takes discipline and teamwork to compete in any sport. The same qualities are also needed in building our faith. This day with God, keep the body in which Christ lives both physically and spiritually fit. Build up muscles of faith, seek Truth, experience joy, and recognize wonder.

Step Ahead

In sports and in life
there are habits to begin
and the first one to try
is planning to win.

Everyone who competes
Has one common goal.
In golf, it’s getting
the ball in the hole.

Photo Credit : theclubhouse.com

In football, it’s getting
the ball across a certain line
or kicking the ball through
to gain points within time.

Image Source

In basketball, it’s getting
the ball in the tiny basket
winning many games to make
the March madness bracket.

Image Source

In baseball or softball,
it’s helping a teammate
to touch all the bases
and then home plate.

Image Source

In track, it’s running
faster and faster each time
as the runner increases the pace
until getting into their prime.

Image Source

The great thing about sports
is that goals are defined
and as we aspire this New Year
let us put this in mind.

Poem by Mark…

View original post 4 more words

Posted in New Year | Tagged Baseball, Basketball, Football, Goals, Golf, Life, New Year, Poetry, Softball, Sports, Track | Leave a comment

Momentum Changers

Posted on December 27, 2019 by Mark Shields

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. – Ephesians 2:8

In the post “Rewards for following the Way”, emphasis is given to the importance of having reminders of God’s provision in our life. When the going gets tough, these reminders change our outlook so we are keyed up towards being obedient.

That’s why a day is set aside each week called the Sabbath. This day reminds us of the victory that Christ brings in our life and changes momentum for our future. It’s a thought we can share with others so they can also be reminded of the victory.

Take a few minutes to enjoy the song O Praise Him by David Crowder, reblog this post with others, and be reminded that God provides music for our ears, laughter for our souls, and a rainbow after every storm.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Rewards | Tagged Devotional, Faith, Grace, Life, Music, Obedience, Praise, Prosperity, Rainbow, Reward | Leave a comment

Rewards for Following the Way

Posted on December 26, 2019 by Mark Shields

We seek the Lord every day and believe in His Way. Today, we are thankful for His provision and grateful for all we receive as it becomes food for our soul.

As we read Leviticus 26, we are reminded that the Lord established the decrees, the laws, and regulations at Mount Sinai between himself and the Israelites through Moses. If the Israelites would keep the Sabbath, they would be rewarded for obedience. God would set things up and things would fall into place for them to prosper. They would overcome those who opposed them and the Lord would grant them favor.

Unfortunately, they didn’t keep the Sabbath and idolatry filled the void. The result was exactly what God said it would be. Terror, diseases, and lack of food. They did not correct their course so life got unbearable as they headed in the wrong direction. Their enemies ruled over them and wild animals killed their livestock so they could not thrive. Their land was laid waste and cities were ruined.

Because the people could not follow the decrees, the laws, and regulations, He sent His Son to the rescue and there is a reward for following God’s New Way. Because of grace, we get a new chance every day because through Christ we are perfect in His eyes.

Noah is the perfect role model for obedience. He was faithful to the call and persevered in building the ark. In Genesis 9, the rainbow became a way to remind the people of the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures on earth.

Noah had many setbacks and faced ridicule from those around him but persevered to fulfill the purpose God had for him. When we make a comeback after a bad day and keep at it, the reward is always more satisfying. Let us keep our eye on the reward and remain confident that God will set things up so the breaks will start going our way.

We face stressful times, ridicule, and setbacks in our lifework but if we maintain the passion, God will send the inspiration. Believe that God will provide music for your ears, laughter for your soul, and a rainbow after every storm. The photo below was taken one morning as I was heading into the office and gave comfort during some stressful times when a major project was due. It stretched from one end of the lake to the next.

This day with God, we are reminded of the victory Christ brings in our life. This changes our momentum for our day and will push us towards being obedient in not only accepting the Good News but also in sharing with others about God’s New Way to victory. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Rewards | Tagged Bible Study, Grace, Life, Obedience, Prayer, Prosperity, Rainbow, Reward | 1 Comment

Follow the Light

Posted on December 25, 2019 by Mark Shields

Dwelling in darkness,
Overcome with despair,
And a world in need
Of major repair.

Then came the birth
That changed the outlook;
The birth of Jesus
Explained in God’s book.

His story of a Savior
To set us free
And help us be
All we can be.

So get involved
In His story
And celebrate
All His glory.

By being ready always
To follow the Light
And receive the gift
Of a future so bright.

Posted in Christmas | Tagged Celebrate, Christmas, Hope, Joy, Peace, Savior | Leave a comment

Pass It On

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Mark Shields

After writing the poem “Pass It On”, I produced the video below by the same name. It was inspired from a sermon of my pastor Ryan Barnett. The historical story of Christ did not start with the birth a little over 2,000 years ago but actually started with Adam and Eve. You are a part of His story. Christmas is a time when we see God working miraculously at the least likely place and at the least likely time! Similar to passing the light at a candlelight service, the Light of Christ is passed from person to person.