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

One Common Link

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Mark Shields

Reading in 2 Corinthians 6:11 through 7:4, Paul’s desire for the Corinthians was to grow in their faith. Paul expected them to put forth the effort just as the Christian leaders of the Corinthian church had done. To be open and grow with each other spiritually with one common link being Jesus Christ.

Explained in this passage is the difficulty faced when united improperly to those who prefer idol worship rather than the worship of the one true God. Believers linked to non-believers face difficulty because righteousness and wickedness do not mix together for it is like oil mixed with water, vinegar mixed with milk, or pizza with weight loss.

Paul faced many challenges. There was conflict, fear, and depression because he faced opposition and persecution. In this passage, he finally finds joy in that the Corinthian people were treating his disciple and appointed leader named Titus with kindness.

We face the same challenges today and when faced with a challenge that’s when we need to focus on God. He’s not distant but near and the Holy Spirit links all believers together to meet every challenge. Like the photo below points out, we are stronger linked together and will not be broken.

Photo Credit – dwellingintheworld.wordpress.com

This day with You Lord, we come to You with openness and confess the many idols we let get in our way. Expensive cars, clothing, and houses require more than we can afford are full of promises we can’t keep but You come through on Your promises. Through Your Son, the door to an awesome future has been opened. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Focus | Tagged Bible Study, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Leadership, Prayer | Leave a comment

Every Good Thing for His Purpose

Posted on April 16, 2019 by Mark Shields

All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

As explained in the post “Steadfast Toward the Mission”, Paul’s ministry cost him dearly but he remained faithful to God even in the most difficult hardships to be an ambassador of Christ. Paul exhibited character during these trials to blaze a path which made it easier for others to understand and receive the power of God.

This great power is available to anyone that accepts God’s grace. Even during the journey when we are busier than we need to be, God can make something amazing from our busyness. That’s good reason to give praise as in this song Every Good Thing by The Afters.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Purpose | Tagged Devotional, Grace, Life, Ministry, Mission, Music, Praise, Priorities, Purpose | Leave a comment

Steadfast Toward the Mission

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Mark Shields

Brought out in reading 2 Corinthians 5:20 through 6:10 are Paul’s actions which commend him being an ambassador of God. He paid a tremendous price for his ministry including persecution, hardship, and rejection yet remained steadfast toward the mission.

It took qualities like endurance, patience and kindness to overcome these difficulties but there was comfort in knowing that God was with him for the purpose of changing the world for the better. God will also give us insight into how to play our part in this adventurous mission for His glory.

Along the way, we may also face trials. The thing about life is the stress of being able to balance everything we would like to do and still fulfilling the mission God has for us. Therefore, there is a great need to study our priorities; go after first what is most important and then like the domino effect, our items on the task list start to fall one after another until the mission is accomplished.

This day with You Lord, we are inspired by the purpose for which Paul blazed a path for all of us to follow. This new way to righteousness makes it easier for all to receive Your power. Help us to use this power to handle trials that may come our way. Help us stand up to the forces against us in order to be a transformer rather than conformer. To never compromise our standards regardless of the trials that may come our way. For it is in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Purpose | Tagged Bible Study, Life, Ministry, Mission, Prayer, Priorities, Purpose | Leave a comment

Encourage and Affirm

Posted on April 13, 2019 by Mark Shields

Build up the house of the Lord today by encouraging and affirming others. The way you treat them, what you say, and how you encourage and affirm others makes them want what you have. Then those who are blessed this day with God will be multiplied.

Step Ahead

The following poem inspired from the song Words by Hawk Nelson.

There will be days
Of frustration
When your hard work
Leads to aggravation
And some may question
Your qualifications
But if you continue
To treat others
With complete respect
And encourage others
Like sisters and brothers
You will get further.
So follow God’s way
And things will be okay.
Give an encouraging word
And others will be spurred.
Fill them up in their youth
With words of God’s truth.
Not breaking them down
But offering the crown;
The crown of victory,
A person of history,
Whose reach is broad
As a child of God.

View original post

Posted in Music, Poems | Tagged Character, Encouragement, Optimism, Poetry, Prayer, Purpose | Leave a comment

The New is Here

Posted on April 12, 2019 by Mark Shields

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Pointed out in the post “New Creation” is Paul explaining how there is reconciliation to God through Christ. This shapes our character as we become a new creation; regarding others differently because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

This new creation gives us big dreams to do amazing things so let us dream about amazing discoveries, finding a cure for diseases, or new ideas for inviting people into God’s family. Nothing can compare to what this new creation can do if we listen, apply, and follow.

For inspiration, let us sing a new song to the Lord called As it is in Heaven by Matt Maher which highlights that the kingdom is the Lord’s. All power given to us is to glorify our Father in heaven.