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

Something to Cheer About

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Mark Shields

In Micah 5, promised is a ruler from Bethlehem that Micah sees for the future. My friend, the future is now and Christ is with you so dream big and pursue these dreams with confidence and courage.

Step Ahead

The memory in the photo below was captured at a Carrie Underwood concert. She’s singing on a stage that looks like it is floating over the crowd. It took confidence to make that happen. Confidence in engineers and a production crew. As we embark on our voyage for the future, let us trust in our crew members and know that a greater power is steering our ship.

The King of kings
Cares for His people
Giving peace of mind
And making us gleeful.

Providing great strength
For our situation
With awe-inspiring
Devine intervention.

Stepping out in a new
Adventurous way
Powered up with
The Spirit today.

Courageous vision
And confidence
Where possible
Is no coincidence.

Even if trouble comes
Attempting to destroy,
Christ brings victory
And there is great joy.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 08-22-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Micah 5”

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Adventure, Confidence, Courage, Divinity, Holy Spirit, Inspiration, Joy, Peace, Poetry, Power, Strength, Vision | Leave a comment

Reason for Good Things

Posted on September 12, 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

The post “Offerings of Praise” analyzed Leviticus 2 to explain the ingredients of a grain offering and how this offering was to be prepared.

A thought from this study is that obedience is the mechanism that provides a clear path to where we need to go. In life, we may face disappointment, suffering, and loss but becoming more like Christ sets these difficulties aside and brings joy.

Then tedious chores are endurable and one becomes convinced that each task brings them closer to fulfilling their purpose. Like in the song Every Good Thing by the Afters, God is the reason for all good things and that inspires us to give offerings of praise.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Purpose | Tagged Devotional, Music, Obedience, Offering, Praise, Prayer, Purpose | Leave a comment

Offerings of Praise

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Mark Shields

Explained in Leviticus 2 are the ingredients of the grain offering including the finest flour, olive oil, and incense. The grain offering is made without yeast and seasoned with salt as it is baked in an oven, on a griddle, or pan.

The grain offering with the ingredients above is prepared and presented to Aaron’s sons the priests (v. 2). The priests burn the memorial portion on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons.

The meaning of covenant and memorial as related to the grain offering was a gift of thanks to God. Made with pure ingredients to symbolize no corruption. Grinded with hands to symbolize dedication to the Lord’s work with the use of our hands. It reminded people that their food came from God and they owed their lives to Him.

Like a great harvest, God has given all that we need. Now it’s time to glorify God by stepping ahead trusting Christ for help in encouraging others, sharing testimony, and being there for those around us. The things we do for God’s glory are our offerings of praise.

This day with You Lord will be amazing because we are totally focused on a purpose and the purpose You have for us is a big one. We may not feel that we are ready or capable but that’s not the issue. The issue is about saying “yes” and knowing that we are never alone. Through our prayers, You provide instructions for each step to get us closer to fulfilling our purpose. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Purpose | Tagged Bible Study, Obedience, Offering, Praise, Prayer, Purpose | 1 Comment

Clean Heart

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Mark Shields

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10

God gave Moses specific laws and principles because He expects the highest standard of holiness for His people. Within the post “Build a Life with High Standards”, it was noted that the burnt offering of an animal or bird as instructed in Leviticus 1 was the way a person became clean before the Lord.

The purpose of animal sacrifice during Old Testament times was for atonement of sins as the animal died in place of the sinner. Today, Jesus Christ is God’s Plan for the sacrifice of sin. Take inspiration from the song Open Skies by David Crowder Band.

The skies the limit when we follow God’s Plan. Inch by inch anything is a cinch because of confidence in God. Trust in God’s plan for you and expect good to happen because God thinks you are AWESOME!

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Discipline | Tagged Devotional, Discipline, Goals, Ideas, Instructions, Life, Music, Optimism, Plans, Praise, Sacrifice, Tasks | 1 Comment

Build a Life with High Standards

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Mark Shields

God gave to Moses specific laws and principles because He expects the highest standard of holiness for His people. Being taught is devotion and dedication in order to build a life with high standards. To accomplish this, we need plans, instructions, and the discipline to follow through day by day.

The burnt offering of an animal or bird as instructed in Leviticus 1 expressed devotion and dedication to the Lord. The blood from the slaughtered animal (bull, sheep, goat) was splashed against the sides of the altar at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The blood from a bird (dove, pigeon) was drained out on the side of the altar.

The result of the burnt offering was that a person met God’s high standard and became clean before Him. The animal sacrifice was for atonement of sins as the animal died in place of the sinner. Today, Jesus Christ is God’s Plan for atonement.

As I reflected on today’s passage, it made me think of how a sky scrapper is built. A plan is made with the architects and the engineers. Then the builders start their work by following the detail plan with certain building standards in order for the tall structure to last over time through the extremes of hot summers and cold winters. Below is a photo of a sky scrapper I took while in downtown Dallas.

Day by day, little things become big things and lead to the amazing with Gods help. Take a look at your daily routine. Are there little things you could tweak or fine-tune? As you set goals, document them and constantly develop tasks to make them happen using the ideas and the help of others.

This day with You Lord, give us the discipline to build our life according to Your instructions. Your design for living is found in Your Word and You expect us to follow the plan You have given. Today, we accept Your plan of Jesus being the sacrifice of our sin. Because of this acceptance, we have the power to go higher and higher as we strive to reach new heights. Amen.