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

Requests Fulfilled

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Mark Shields

In the two previous psalms, David had experienced prolonged difficulty with sorrow and helplessness. His enemies were evil and slanderous and he needed relief. To make his relief possible, he confesses his sin and goes to God in prayer. The experience described in verses 1-5 of Psalms 40 seem to fulfill David’s requests.

God’s Word gives strength, inner joy, and brings light to darkness. From this passage, we can learn to be patient and this should be our attitude when faced with stressful situations. In our spiritual lives, we might go through a drought but if we are patient, we can make it through and receive what is needed for us to flourish.

We need God always because there are just so many things outside our control but He’s big enough to make sure they work out for the best. We may never reach a point when we have all the answers but God does and we can go to Him in prayer.

This day with You Lord we are grateful for the examples in Your Word that help us in our lives. In today’s passage, we learned that the storms of life came upon David but he put down his anchor of hope. He turned to You, knocked on the door, opened it, and inside were the answers to his requests. Help us today to take this example and apply what we learn. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Overcome Difficulty | Tagged Bible Study, Confession, Hope, Joy, Overcomer, Prayer, Strength | Leave a comment

Clear Way to Victory

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Mark Shields

Today’s poem is about discovering the freedom in Christ Jesus and the clear way to victory that has been provided. It’s about receiving the hope as a believer to be righteous through the spirit. That when faith is expressed through love, then victory is assured. This poem inspires to take on this day with boldness, with determination, and to expect success because we have chosen the clear way to victory.

Step Ahead

Step Ahead with boldness
Going steadily
Forward with certain
Expectancy.

In Christ Jesus,
We are forever free
And there is victory
For you and me.

As a believer
We are fearless
Because of the power
Of the Holy Spirit.

Faith is an action
With passion it draws
Giving it all for
An excellent cause.

Confidence grows
The more we believe
And a winning tradition
Will be achieved.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 02-28-2019

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Achievement, Boldness, Confidence, Excellence, Freedom, Poetry, Power, victory | Leave a comment

Desire the Best Way

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Mark Shields

May He grant your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! – Psalm 20:4

Within the post “The Bad Mood Breaker” are thoughts from the study of Psalms 39. David experienced prolonged difficulty. He was silent, became more distressed, life to him was meaningless. Then he turned to God for his needs, put his hope in Him, and prayed for help.

The lesson for us is to stay focused on God and know He is with us during difficult times. He will help and give us a song like Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher to uplift us and get us back on track.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Desire, Devotionals | Tagged Desire, Devotional, Hope, Joy, Mood, Music, Praise | Leave a comment

The Bad Mood Breaker

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Mark Shields

The affliction described in Psalms 39 strikes David very deeply. There was guilt after seducing the wife of his most loyal soldier and then arranging to have this soldier killed. The guilt for David was heavy on his heart and his strength was sapped. He was at a really bad time in his life; a state of sorrow and helplessness. He faced enemies that were evil and slanderous.

David needed relief from the mood he was in. Many times, it is only after a crisis or difficult time that we understand how foolish we were. The blog post Are You a Fool Like Me offers a good example of how foolish we can be along with a three minute video on facts gathered while doing research on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Atheists and agnostics believe it is foolish to believe that Jesus literally rose from the dead and seek to make Christians sound foolish. So much so that we sometimes don’t want to fight back or say anything just like David did in today’s passage.

David then came to the conclusion that it was best to speak out. He goes to God in prayer, ask for forgiveness, and sets out to find joy in life again. The difference in tone is stark. Before going to God in prayer, David was distressed and life was meaningless. After going to God in prayer, David made a complete turnaround from despair to unshakable hope.

This day with You Lord, we need you. Our mood can get down at times because the world doesn’t let us enjoy the present because we are worried about the future. This day we ask that we take in the positive affirmation You give us through Your Son. This is our plan for life and our treasure. Help us to lose ourselves in this plan so that we have the passion to live out this day to the fullest. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Desire | Tagged Bible Study, Desire, Hope, Joy, Mood, Prayer | Leave a comment

Joyful In Hope

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Mark Shields

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12

In the post “Hope for Better Tomorrow”, David prayed in a dark time of difficulty and this provided the light needed to illuminate the path. You can do the same by remaining joyful in hope.

Hope is like an anchor that keeps you steady while going through the storm. You can get relief by admitting imperfections, putting down your anchor of hope, and asking God for help as you chart a new course.

Christ gives hope because His pardon erases guilt. His power breaks bad habits and His purpose transforms problems. His protection relieves fear, His provision supplies needs, and His promise secures a future.

All your hope is in Jesus. Take a few minutes to watch this video Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns.

You may feel torn but as in the song, you can praise the Lord even in the storms of life. Lift your hands to the Maker of heaven and earth for your help comes from the Lord. Put your hand in the hand of the man that stilled the water. Put your hand in the hand of the Man who calmed the sea.