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

Survivor Hour by Hour

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Mark Shields

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. – 2 Timothy 4:7

The lesson from our analyses of Leviticus 16 and documented in the post “Run the Race with the Finish Line in Mind” is to love the Lord with all your heart, follow the Way, and continue to obey.

We don’t have to wait another moment before starting to run the race with the pace of a world class athlete. All we have to do is confess to be blessed. Because of Jesus, we have privileged access to the Holy Spirit. Jesus has already gone the extra mile and always appears in the presence of God with us to make us a survivor hour by hour.

If during you day, you feel like dropping out of the race, take a moment to click on this video: Survivor by Zach Williams. Also, here is a poem below to inspire and power you through the headwinds of your day.

Held down by burdens
Of a difficult past
But You gave hope
To make us last.

Something to believe in
And born again;
Rescued from the grip
Of our past sin.

Love came crashing in
Taking on our sin
With Jesus our fighter
We are a survivor.

Because of grace,
We are pulled from the fire
And will finish the race
Hour by hour.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Going Extra Mile | Tagged Atonement, Devotional, Instructions, Love, Music, Obedience, Passion, Perseverance, Poetry, Praise, Sacrifice, Savior | 1 Comment

Run the Race with the Finish Line in Mind

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Mark Shields

This day with God will be amazing because we are gaining wisdom each day. We are learning from the past, praying in the present, and listening for instructions toward the future. Reading in Leviticus 16, the Lord gives Moses instructions for his brother Aaron before meeting with Him in the Most Holy Place (v. 2).

We are told that God appears in a cloud over the atonement cover and that the smoke of the incense conceals the atonement cover so Aaron would not die. Remembering earlier analyses of Leviticus 10, the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu disobeyed the Lord when they burned incense in their fire pan and were burned to death. They had committed an infraction of the ritual and punished by death.

We learned from delving into the Word that there were extreme consequences for disobeying the Lord during the time of Moses and to make atonement for sins, there had to be a sacrifice of animals. For our sins to be banished today, Jesus is the sacrifice if we confess our sins and accept Him as Savior.

When we confess, we are then blessed. So the lesson today is that we are to love the Lord with all our heart, follow the Way, and continue to obey. We are to run the race with the finish line always in mind knowing where we are going because the Lord’s Way is aligned with the destination. We will persevere with passion in our heart to finish the race strong because the reward at the end of the finish line will be beyond what could ever be imagined.

This day with You Lord, we run the race with the finish line in mind. When the headwinds of life try to push us back, we will keep going. You will help us handle anything because we know the Way, are prepared, and expect You to pull us through until the end. We will persevere because You are with us to finish strong. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study | Tagged Atonement, Bible Study, Instructions, Love, Obedience, Passion, Perseverance, Prayer, Sacrifice, Savior | Leave a comment

Exercise for the Soul

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Mark Shields

Physical training has great benefits for your present health but it’s the building up of your soul that provides an everlasting gain.

Step Ahead

Building up faith
Provides great value
In the present life
And eternal one too.

Spiritual health now
And for the life to come
Keeps the mind upbeat
Avoiding the ho hum!

Like a physical work out,
Exercising belief
Builds muscles for the soul,
Power and relief.

By seeking the Truth,
Neglecting what destroys,
Recognizing wonder,
Experiencing joys.

Being devoted
To what the Way is
With daily scripture,
Prayer and praises.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 10-17-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – 1 Timothy 4:6-16”

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Encouragement, Faith, Health, Love, Poetry, Prayer, Soul, Truth | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Leviticus 16 – 20

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Mark Shields

This day with God, collect the precious insight gained in His Word. The Bible is all about gaining wisdom because we are learning from the past, praying in the present, and listening for instructions toward the future. The purpose of this devotional is to help internalize the guiding principles taught from the Bible.

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 16,
How does God appear in the tabernacle? What is the purpose of the incense? To what extent have your sins been banished?

Leviticus 17
Who are the additional recipients of God’s communication in this chapter? What was the purpose of the laws for killing animals for food and sacrifice? What about the relationship of God and His people is revealed in this chapter?

Leviticus 18
What basic areas of life are affected by the commands in today’s chapter? What are the results of obedience? Why must we obey the commands of God?

Leviticus 19
What is the reason underlying all the commands in this chapter? What attitudes are insured by these commands? Do these commands have universal application? Why?

Leviticus 20
What are some penalties for the sins enumerated in the previous chapters? In what ways should Christians be separate? God’s plan is perfect and the question to ask is what needs to change in my choices?

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

Freed by Resurrection Power

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Mark Shields

In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. – Psalms 41:12

Within the post “Covered Like a Blanket of Snow”, regulations were given to Moses concerning cleanliness. No one alive is perfect and the best way to fill the gap is to humbly accept the truth of Christ. His work on the Cross covers sin like a blanket of snow.

The Holy Spirit lives inside and we have what the song Resurrection Power by Chris Tomlin points out and that makes us free. No longer bound by sin and darkness but living in the light of goodness.