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

Desolation to Restoration

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Mark Shields

Reading in 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Paul and Timothy are writing to the church at Corinth about God giving comfort during trials of life. Ever since original sin going back to the time of Adam and Eve, the human race has endured difficulty but because of Christ we can go from desolation to restoration.

When faced with difficulty or stress, we can go to the Lord in prayer and ask to be lifted up. God will provide the resources needed to get through anything. One resource given is scripture when poise is needed during stressful situations like talking in front of an audience, taking an exam or going through a medical procedure.

Prayer and memorized scripture give us confidence that God is actively involved in our life and circumstances. We must accept the fact that we live in a broken world and there are just so many circumstances outside our control but our confidence in God will affect our attitude today. He’s big enough to make sure the unpleasant things going on right now in our life will be worked out.

This day with You Lord, we have confidence that You will get us through anything. Just as history teaches about Jerusalem in ruins and in need of restoration, our lives can need restoration. We are thankful that Jesus restores us so we can go from a place of brokenness to a place in life full of laughter, joy, and peace. On top of that Lord, our experiences can help us comfort others who go through similar struggles. We ask for opportunities to comfort others today. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Overcome Difficulty | Tagged Bible Study, Overcome Difficulty, Prayer, Restoration, Scripture, Stress | Leave a comment

Desolation to Restoration

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Mark Shields

If facing difficulty, have confidence that God will lend a hand today. You may fall down in life but God’s love will lift you up. There may be mistakes made along the journey but God’s love will bring comfort and set you back on the right path for an improved future.

Step Ahead

Facing difficulty
In a desolate place
But you can meet
It face to face.

From desolation
With so much strife
To a place of joy
And peace in life.

There may be mistakes
Along the journey
But God’s love has
Provided the attorney.

To lift you up,
Carry on His back
Along the right path
And always on track.

Just pray with confidence,
Use scripture to guide;
For the future is bright
When faith is applied.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 03-07-2019

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Posted in Overcome Difficulty, Poems | Tagged Overcome Difficulty, Poetry, Prayer, Restoration, Scripture, Stress | Leave a comment

The Plan Gives Integrity

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Mark Shields

Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. – Psalm 41:12

The post “Lining Up with the Plan” had some thoughts about the importance of following God’s plan. We can accept God’s plan for us through His Son which gives us integrity. To do things right, we must set up a good foundation. Living the way Jesus teaches is like building that foundation and building upon that foundation leads to something meaningful and makes an impact.

David faced deceit, gossip, and betrayal and we too can face these same issues. Just remember that God is in control and will not allow your enemies to take advantage of you. Continue to pray and maintain your integrity. Be honest with yourself and have the attitude of wanting to know where you fall short and what you need to do. Here is a short poem inspired by the song If We’re Honest by Francesca Battistelli:

Let His love heal
The hurts that divide
For mercy is waiting
On the other side
So be honest and set free
And not at a loss
By laying your secrets down
At the foot of the cross.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Integrity | Tagged Bible Study, Confidence, Faith, Honesty, Integrity, Life, Prayer | Leave a comment

Lining Up with the Plan

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Mark Shields

Brought out in Psalms 41 are David’s problems. His past sins were heavy on his heart and He also had the issue with His son Absalom who rebelled against him. Another problem faced by David was his best friend and counselor who betrayed him and shifted his allegiance to Absalom (II Samuel 16:15-23).

So David experienced deceit, gossip, and betrayal. These are human experiences that we can all face in present times. It may be at the place you work at or maybe a business you own and your competitor is spreading false information to harm your business. It could be in a bad relationship and someone is accusing you of something you didn’t do.

Later in the passage, David gains confidence that God will uphold him in verses 11-12:

I know that you are pleased with me,
For my enemy does not triumph over me.
Because of my integrity you uphold me
And set me in your presence forever.

Have you ever bought something and you have to put it together without the instructions? When there is a missing part or if things don’t line up, you don’t have a chance. It’s the same with our life plan. If it doesn’t fit with what God wants, it’s not going to work. Make sure your life plan lines up with what God has laid out so you can be assured of a finished product that is meaningful and makes an impact.

We can pray to learn and apply the principles God gives us in the Bible; asking him to search inside our soul and clear out what shouldn’t be there. We can accept God’s plan for us through His Son which gives us the integrity to be in God’s presence.

This day with You Lord, we accept Your plan for us through Your Son. We want to build our lives on a firm foundation. Help us to be honest with ourselves. To desire the attitude of wanting to know where we fall short and what we need to do. Help us to turn our negatives into positives so others can get a good picture of how best to live. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Integrity | Tagged Bible Study, Confidence, Faith, Honesty, Integrity, Life, Prayer | Leave a comment

Celebrate Answered Prayers

Posted on March 12, 2019 by Mark Shields

The Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted. – Isaiah 49:13

After studying Psalms 40, a take away as written about in the post “Requests Fulfilled” was that the storms of life came upon David but he put down his anchor of hope. He turned to God, knocked on the door, opened it, and inside were the answers to his requests.

When our request are answered, we all need celebration. To have fun, enjoy life, and pause along the way to praise God for progress and blessings. Celebrate today with the song Magnify by We Are Messengers. For God is merciful, mighty, and bigger than our problems.