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

Step Ahead and Make an Impact

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Mark Shields

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

The purpose for the ritual described in Leviticus 8 and commented about in the post “Road to Somewhere” was to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. The purpose for Christ being crucified was to consecrate all Christians for the purpose of ministry.

Many times we are going full steam ahead but toward things that are meaningless. The song Until the Whole World Hears by Casting Crowns points out the need to share the gospel and sing praises to the Lord until the whole world hears. When this is our mission, we are making an impact on what is meaningful and the message is more important than the messenger.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Purpose | Tagged Atonement, Consecration, Devotional, Future, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Impact, Mission, Music, Praise, Purpose | Leave a comment

Road to Somewhere

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Mark Shields

The purpose for the ritual described in Leviticus 8 is to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. The whole community witnessed the ceremony where an animal was slaughtered for atonement of sins. Fluids like water, oil, and blood were also used to consecrate the altar.

The purpose for Christ being crucified was to consecrate all Christians for the purpose of ministry. Christ had all the power available but divested it to the twelve disciples and then to us all as believers to share the gospel message because the message is more important than the messenger.

So followers of Christ have been consecrated just like the priest in today’s passage and the qualities expected include following the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we are going full steam ahead in life pursuing things with little meaning but when we are going after and sharing God’s plan for us, we have a mission that makes a big impact.

Lord, we are not going down the road to nowhere. We have chosen to go down the straight and narrow path that leads somewhere. We thank You for the opportunity to accomplish the mission You have given. By accepting your plan and purpose for our life, we are confident that we will make it to the finish line victorious. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Purpose | Tagged Atonement, Bible Study, Consecration, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Mission, Prayer, Purpose | 1 Comment

Truth and Power

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Mark Shields

This poem is inspired from 1 Timothy 1:1-17. The relationship of Paul and Timothy as described is like a father to a son. Paul left him at Ephesus to contend with the false teachers who were deceptive and had their own interest in mind. The thought received is that love is produced from a pure heart that is filled with faith and wants others to succeed.

Step Ahead

False doctrine taught
For personal wealth
Instead of the TRUTH
For spiritual health

Those who deceive
With own interest in mind
Gain for themselves but
Leave others behind

The TRUTH of the Word
Gives direction in life
The power to change
And overcome strife

A pure heart of love
Along with faith and hope
Gives much more than
Just how to cope

With the power of love
From Maker of nature
Let go of the past
And grab the future

Poem by Mark Shields – © 09-12-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – 1 Timothy 1:1-17”

View original post

Posted in Poems | Tagged Christ, Faith, Future, Health, Hope, Journey, Life, Love, Poetry, Truth, Wealth | Leave a comment

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.