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

Rekindle Enthusiasm

Posted on August 20, 2019 by Mark Shields

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. – Psalm 89:1

The post “Rekindle the Passion and Enthusiasm” offers some thoughts and ideas on how to rekindle passion and enthusiasm for the gospel message around the world. This day with God, let us step ahead enthusiastically by renewing our spiritual vitality with prayer, praise, and celebration with today’s song “Soul on Fire by Third Day”.

Receive the power of a soul on fire.
A passionate Spirit for this hour.
Our strength; providing extra power.
Our hope; filled with delight.
Our fullness; of unlimited might.
Our unity; together as one.
Bringing victory; having fun.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Enthusiasm | Tagged Courage, Devotional, enthusiasm, Gospel, Music, Passion, Poetry, Praise, Technology | Leave a comment

Rekindle the Passion and Enthusiasm

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Mark Shields

This day with God, be excited about what you may discover in His Word from 2 Timothy 1:1-14. Today, we read about Paul’s relationship with Timothy. He is a mentor to Timothy who is like a son to Paul and he writes this last letter to Timothy while in prison shortly before his death.

Paul gives some final advice to Timothy. Mainly to use his gift from God to rekindle the passion and enthusiasm for the gospel message even in a time of persecution. Paul was in a Roman prison already suffering for the gospel but tells Timothy to courageously stand firm in the faith and continue to do God’s work in leading the church.

We should do the same and use our God given gifts to rekindle enthusiasm in the gospel around the world. Inspire in others a passion for being faithful to God’s work. Reflect on the joys of the past and be excited for what’s to come about in the future. This day with God will be amazing because of the path laid out before us.

We may have a great cause that we have worked on throughout life but it just hasn’t come to fruition. Maybe there was not enough time or maybe there was a need for more help needed to add more energy or enthusiasm. The good thing is that the work done so far is not in vain. Our ideas and values can be passed on to future generations and they may have the energy and know how to make it happen. Also, new technology may develop in the future that will help make it happen.

This day with You Lord, we pray that we live life to the fullest and get the most out of this day. You have given us a purpose that will add to a brighter future. Your grace gives us a clean slate so we can forget our past. Each day, we are the benefactors of past experience as we learn more and enthusiastically work towards what You want us to be. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Enthusiasm | Tagged Bible Study, Courage, enthusiasm, Passion, Prayer, Technology | Leave a comment

Focus on What is Important to God

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Mark Shields

This day, focus in on what’s important to God. Stick to God’s plan for you and bring Him glory today. Take inspiration from this poem.

Step Ahead

Like the big umpire
Up in the sky
He makes judgment
From way up high.

Are you working His plan
Or dong things on your own;
Taking swings at life
Outside the strike zone!

Reflect on your life,
At essential things
To determine if
You’re taking the right swings.

When you swing at life,
Do it at the instant
When you are called
To what’s important.

Swing hard with visions, dreams,
And what you’ve heard;
From your quiet time
And from God’s Word.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 07-25-2019

The post, “Focus on What is Important to God” is about Micah prophesizing judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem. The people during that time were focused more on what was important to them rather than on what was important to God. This day with God, let us fix our eyes on everything that’s important to Him.

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Concentration, Dreams, Focus, Life, Poetry, Purpose, Vision | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Timothy

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, we’ve shared some thoughts and ideas from the journey through the book of Titus. Our Faith rest on the hope of eternal life; supported by the love of God and the gift of His Son. May this attribute of our soul be with us always and direct us to think of things excellent, honorable, and disciplined.

Each generation has different needs and they can help each other by sharing thoughts, ideas, writing about them, giving suggestions, and relating experiences that can assist in the journey through life. Let us be devoted to excellence by storing up spiritual treasure so let us discover the finest qualities in others and let them know about it. It benefits each of us and society as a whole around you.

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.

Just a click away are scriptures, sermons, Christian blogs, and uplifting music available at any place or any time just by using your phone, mobile device, or computer. There is unlimited power when we work together. Lay claim to the ONE who unites us all. Together, we can gain advantage over the enemy and achieve the standards set by God in His Word.

This picture below is of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe which is the largest alpine lake in North America. Not only is it large in area but extremely deep (1,645 feet). Like Lake Tahoe that stores up massive amounts of water, we should be a reservoir of God’s Truth so that others can be refreshed with the pure authentic Gospel, the True spirit, and the real Jesus.

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 next few posts, 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 with God amazing!

Questions for Reflection

2 Timothy 1:1-14
What is Paul’s relationship to Timothy? How can the passion and enthusiasm be rekindled? How can you pass on your values to the next generation? What imperatives does Paul give Timothy?

2 Timothy 1:15 through 2:13
How can you refresh someone today? What are the three metaphors of a Christian used in this passage (1:1-7)? What motivates Paul to endure suffering (See 1:8-12)?

2 Timothy 2:14-26
What problem in the church concerns Paul? How are you an approved worker for God? What routines can I change in order to have more time for preparing the heart and mind on a daily basis? What should be your attitude toward those who oppose the gospel?

2 Timothy 3
What is the effect of heresy on society? How does Scripture affect the life of Timothy (See 1:1-13; 2:1-2)? What is your goal for the study of God’s Word (See verse 16-17)?

2 Timothy 4
What reasons does Paul give for urgency in the ministry? Can you honestly say the words Paul states in verses 7-8 for your own life? What can be done so that future generations may hear the Gospel?

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. <http://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

The Most Excellent Way

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Mark Shields

Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. – Galatians 5:24-25

There is a definite upside to getting connecting and internalizing the guiding principles taught by Christ. As brought out in the post “Treasures of Transformation”, the attitude and behavior of a Christ follower should be to respect authority, be obedient, helpful, considerate, gentle, and peaceful.

The way taught by Christ is the most excellent Way. The objective is to live and walk in the Spirit by being devoted to excellence and storing up spiritual treasures. To daily discover the finest qualities in other people and encourage them so they add benefit to your own life and society as a whole.

The song Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsongs explains how humanity was tempted and tried, the Word became flesh to die on the Cross as a sacrifice, and God’s love was poured out for all. Grace allows the power of the Spirit to transform us into who we are meant to be.