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

Good Mood

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Mark Shields

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2

The post “The Best Part of My Day” pointed out the need for forgiveness and how Christ became our one time sacrifice. There is reason to be in a good mood and it’s all about what Christ has done for us. If you have the courage to make this your focus and give God the best part of your day, your life will be transformed.

The world wants to tell us that God is not real and it’s not worth our time to pray and have Him in our thoughts. A few years ago, I went to a a George Straight concert. Here is a good mood song I Saw God Today by George Strait along with photos from the concert that points out that we can see God at work around us; the birth of a child, the celebration of a birthday, a graduation, the morning sun rise, the evening sunset.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Focus | Tagged Courage, Devotional, Focus, Forgiveness, Greatness, Music, Praise, Relationship, Sacrifice, Transformation | Leave a comment

The Best Part of My Day

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Mark Shields

This day with God, we will put our attention on Leviticus 7. If we pay attention to the world, disorder will expand to fill the void of human failure but if we pay attention to God, order will fill the void in our life with greatness.

Today’s passage continues with the need for forgiveness in our life. Forgiveness is important in any relationship and with our relationship with God, sacrifice is important for God’s forgiveness. The instruction given to Moses included a sacrifice of an animal (bull, lamb, goat).

The animal was slaughtered and the fat was to be burned on the altar. The fat was considered the best portion and burned on the altar for God. The breast and right thigh were the portion of the offering due the priests for their perpetual share for the generations to come (v. 34). It was a contribution for their service to the Lord as priests.

In current times, Christ has taken the place of animal sacrifice. His death on the cross, became our one time sacrifice that wipes away sin and puts us in a right relationship with God. So today my friend, there is reason to be in a good mood and it’s all about what Christ has done for us. If you have the courage to make this your focus and give God the best part of your day, your life will be transformed.

This day with You Lord, help us to focus on sharing about the Gospel. Give us ideas in how to best see You today. You are in everything around us; the birth of a child, the celebration of a birthday, a graduation, the morning sun rise, the evening sunset. Help us to point out to others when heaven opens up this day. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Focus | Tagged Bible Study, Courage, Focus, Forgiveness, Greatness, Prayer, Relationship, Sacrifice, Transformation | 1 Comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Leviticus 6 – 10

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Mark Shields

Let us set out to acquire spiritual treasures and discover that it’s not always the destination but the rewarding experiences along the journey that are truly rewarding. As a team member for God, we can step ahead of hate, iniquity, and other corrupting influences in the world that keep us down. Instead, we can desire the authenticity, sincerity and certainty that God provides using technology to make a positive impact on our life.

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

Leviticus 6
What is the continuity of our relationship with God? What is the idea of holiness as expressed in verses 19-30? How can you be holy in your living?

Leviticus 7
What portion of the offerings is due to the priests? For what purpose? Does God receive the best part of your life?

Leviticus 8
What two words in this chapter indicate the purpose of the ritual here described? Do you consider yourself as a priest in any sense? What qualities are expected of a priest?

Leviticus 9
What benefits do the people receive from the priests’ ministry as recorded in today’s passage? Have any similar benefits come through you this week? What purposes are served by the appearance of God’s glory?

Leviticus 10
What is wrong about the act of Nadab and Abihu (See their previous privileges in Exodus 24:1,9-10)? What conflicts of interest exist in your life? Which way should the conflict be resolved?

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 | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Faith, God’s Plan, Holy Spirit, Hope, Leadership, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture | Leave a comment

Our Hope

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Mark Shields

Inspired after reading Micah 7, this poem gives hope because even if things are at their worst, the change process starts and the old ways are wiped clean so that the new improved ones can develop. This day with God, gain more optimism and hope because of what the Light … Jesus Christ has done on the cross.

Step Ahead

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

For the world can be
A corrupted place
Like a cancer
On the human race.

Awful relationships,
Neighbor against neighbor,
Child against parents,
Much to belabor.

But with the Light,
Old ways are wiped clean
And new improved ways
Come onto the scene.

Bringing more hope,
Optimism,
More believers,
Less atheism.

Bringing success
Over sorrows,
Providing for needs,
Brightening tomorrows.

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Christ, Cross, Faith, Future, Hope, Humanity, Love, Poetry | 3 Comments

Renewing the Right Spirit

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Mark Shields

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10

The post “Ultimate Sacrifice” points out that God wants us with Him but in order to be with Him, we must accept the sacrifice Christ made on the cross. It is then that we become holy, can apply our faith, and seek instructions for each step to take.

Christ gives us the opportunity to apply our faith in a very productive way. To be the best person we can be and bring God glory requires discipline to stick to God’s plan for us. Take inspiration from today’s video Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsongs.