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

Look Out for the Interests of Your Neighbor

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Mark Shields

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4

The post “Bring Joy Today by Sharing God’s Way” pointed out the need to share with our neighbors God’s glory and inspire people towards His way. The greatest purpose is to work so that that more are pushed toward devotion to God’s plan for their life.

For more inspiration, join in on the praise from today’s wonderful song Stand In The Light by Jordan Smith to get a great start to your day.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Friendly | Tagged Blessings, Devotion, Devotional, enthusiasm, Friendly, Inspiration, Joy, Memories, Ministry, Music, Neighbors, Praise | Leave a comment

Bring Joy Today by Sharing God’s Way

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Mark Shields

As we read Leviticus 9, there is joy found in the memories of the past. There is also excitement for what is to come and this this day with God, we can be thankful for the path laid out. There are times when we get so caught up in building a future that we forget to live for today.

In today’s passage, recorded are benefits that the people received from the priests’ ministry. The people were blessed, the glory of the Lord appeared before them, and they witnessed fire coming out from the presence of the Lord. This fire consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. The people shouted for joy and fell facedown.

As pointed out in the previous post, the purpose for Christ being crucified was to consecrate all Christians for the purpose of ministry. That being said, we should all experience the benefits received by the people in today’s passage. This day with God, we can inspire, point out God’s glory, and move people toward His way.

Many purposes are served by pointing out God’s glory and motivating people towards His way. The greatest purpose is that more are devoted and are helped to understand God’s Plan.

Today, we have the opportunity to make the complex simple. With the invention of the Internet 30 years ago, complex things have been made more understandable. We can look on YouTube to get instruction on how to fix just about anything.

Also, the ability to stay in touch is easier today. The photo below was taken before a July 4th parade in my neighborhood in 2009. The kids on their bikes now have their own cars. Some have gone off to college. Some neighbors and their families have moved to different communities but we stay in touch through Facebook and continue to build memories.

July 4th celebration in my neighborhood

Bad news is pushed by the media for ratings purposes but the Good News of Christ is shared from neighbor to neighbor for the purposes of God’s glory. Get to know your neighbor, build each other up, and create memories together.

Lord this day, we have Good News to share and it can be transferred from one person to another. We are today gaining information at a rapid rate with technology and we hope that we are a part of pointing out Your glory so more are interested in Your way. May we be rooted in Your way so that the Good News flows out to others by our example of being a person of peace, of encouragement, and a person who shares the Good News of Christ. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Friendly | Tagged Bible Study, Blessings, Devotion, enthusiasm, Friendly, Inspiration, Joy, Memories, Ministry, Neighbors, Prayer | 2 Comments

Step Ahead and Make an Impact

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Mark Shields

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

The purpose for the ritual described in Leviticus 8 and commented about in the post “Road to Somewhere” was to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. The purpose for Christ being crucified was to consecrate all Christians for the purpose of ministry.

Many times we are going full steam ahead but toward things that are meaningless. The song Until the Whole World Hears by Casting Crowns points out the need to share the gospel and sing praises to the Lord until the whole world hears. When this is our mission, we are making an impact on what is meaningful and the message is more important than the messenger.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Purpose | Tagged Atonement, Consecration, Devotional, Future, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Impact, Mission, Music, Praise, Purpose | Leave a comment

Road to Somewhere

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Mark Shields

The purpose for the ritual described in Leviticus 8 is to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. The whole community witnessed the ceremony where an animal was slaughtered for atonement of sins. Fluids like water, oil, and blood were also used to consecrate the altar.

The purpose for Christ being crucified was to consecrate all Christians for the purpose of ministry. Christ had all the power available but divested it to the twelve disciples and then to us all as believers to share the gospel message because the message is more important than the messenger.

So followers of Christ have been consecrated just like the priest in today’s passage and the qualities expected include following the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we are going full steam ahead in life pursuing things with little meaning but when we are going after and sharing God’s plan for us, we have a mission that makes a big impact.

Lord, we are not going down the road to nowhere. We have chosen to go down the straight and narrow path that leads somewhere. We thank You for the opportunity to accomplish the mission You have given. By accepting your plan and purpose for our life, we are confident that we will make it to the finish line victorious. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Purpose | Tagged Atonement, Bible Study, Consecration, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Mission, Prayer, Purpose | 1 Comment

Truth and Power

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Mark Shields

This poem is inspired from 1 Timothy 1:1-17. The relationship of Paul and Timothy as described is like a father to a son. Paul left him at Ephesus to contend with the false teachers who were deceptive and had their own interest in mind. The thought received is that love is produced from a pure heart that is filled with faith and wants others to succeed.

Step Ahead