New Year Inspiration

Blessings for you and your family this New Year! This New Year let us use the unlimited power of God, stick to His plan, and bring Him glory.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

I arise today through a mighty strength
The strength of the trinity
A strength that guides me
A strength that encourages me

You are above me
You are within me
You are before me
You are below me

I believe You will show me the way
For each and every day
My promise to You will be kept
I’m inspired by all Your help

I see a successful year
And everything will be okay
I will never succumb
With You I can overcome

I can do everything
With the strength You bring
Good people hold me accountable
Together everything is possible

Power comes from You
I choose to live each day for You
I’m in Your hands
You give me great plans

By Mark Shields – © 01-01-2015
Image Source

View original post

Posted in New Year | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Remembering the Wins As 2020 Arrives

A while back, I did a study which I called “God’s Plan for Us” in which ten posts were written. The last post was titled “Remembering Wins”.  A huge win over this past year has been my writing on the blog “This Day with God – A Spiritual Journey”.

What started out a few years ago as a commitment to study and share about faith has grown into something bigger than ever planned. It began by sharing weekly some thoughts about the sermon message at my church and then a devotional blog to keep me accountable to daily Bible study and to sharing with others.

“This Day with God – A Spiritual Journey” has grown over the years with more followers than I ever could have imagined. As this year comes to a close and the new one begins, I would like to make a commitment to continue this journey and invite you to check it out. For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey by liking on Facebook or following on Twitter at the links below:

Facebook
Twitter

Here are a few pictures that capture some of the winning moments of 2019.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Thanks for being here to read my posts and keeping me accountable to Bible study and sharing with others. Looking forward to a great New Year!

Posted in Bible Study, New Year | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Champions

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.

Mark Shields's avatarStep 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 , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Momentum Changers

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 , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rewards for Following the Way

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 , , , , , , , | 1 Comment