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

True Reward

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Mark Shields

David was up in age when writing Psalms 37 and his experiences in life qualified him to give us an informed comparison between the righteous life and the wicked life.

The righteous obtain the true reward while the wicked may enjoy fleeting success but ultimately wither and die. The righteous are rewarded with peace and prosperity while the wicked endure heartaches and destruction.

God delivers the righteous because He loves the just and faithful. He blesses those whose ways are upright because they follow Him. Salvation is for the righteous because they take refuge in Him. They trust and obey and realize that His way is the best way.

Those who accept His way have a bright future and that thought affects how they live out each day. God is their stronghold as they enjoy great peace. They enjoy plenty even during tough times and their steps are on firm ground. Their children prosper and their reward is long term.

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This day with You Lord, we confess that not all of our choices in the past were good ones but those choices were short term. Our choice to follow Your way is long term. Help us to keep our eye on the true reward. The life of Christ changed everything for us because the reward is obtainable. Today we can celebrate because of this Good News and keep looking toward a future that is beyond what we could ever imagine. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Rewards | Tagged Bible Study, Celebration, Peace, Prayer, Prosperity, Reward, Salvation | Leave a comment

Refuge in the Shadow of His Wings

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Mark Shields

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. – 1 Peter 1:18-19

The Bible gives us great advice and as written about in the post “Wicked Verses Righteous”, victory is assured through Jesus Christ. The wicked do not believe so they do whatever pleases them. They will lie and devise wicked schemes to obtain what they desire but this path leads to ultimate destruction.

On the other hand, the Lord is merciful, faithful, righteous, and loving. His unlimited resources satisfies the soul with rivers of pleasure. Just as pointed out in the song Savior’s Shadow by Blake Shelton, there is refuge in the shadow of His wings and we are who we are supposed to be.

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Posted in Devotionals | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Love, Praise, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Wicked Verses Righteous

Posted on February 25, 2019 by Mark Shields

The wicked are described in Psalms 36 as being arrogant while planning out their sinful course without fear of God. They only care about themselves, are deceitful in order to get their own way, and their way leads to destruction with no hope of repair.

On the other hand, God offers love, faithfulness, protection, and abundance. Our hope should be in the qualities of God’s righteousness; the greatest being His love of us. Let us be grateful because with faith we will benefit from the assistance of spiritual wisdom and advice.

There may be times along the journey when confidence is lacking but it can be found again if we go to God in prayer and ask for help. Let us overcome pride, disobedience, distractions, and carelessness so we can go to the ONE who has the answers. Then we are on a different path of studying God’s word, and praying consistently. We gain confidence because of acceptance of God’s love in Christ Jesus.

This day with You Lord, we are never 100% prepared for anything but memorized Scripture, songs, encouragement from others will help. Most of all, our faith that You will be with us give us confidence in the challenges ahead. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study | Tagged Bible Study, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Love, Prayer, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Reference

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Mark Shields

I once heard a story of a swimmer that set out to swim from Catalina Island to California’s mainland. It was a foggy morning with vision only about fifty feet and the fog didn’t allow the swimmer to see the shore line. They gave up half a mile away. Later, the swimmer was asked why they gave up just half mile from the goal and the answer was that they would’ve finished had they been able to see the shore. They gave up because they couldn’t see the reference point to where they were going. As Christians, we have the Bible as our game plan and it tells us that heaven is where we are going and Christ is our reference point.

Step Ahead

A man swam from
Catalina Island
In the fog to
California’s mainland.

Visibility
Only fifty feet
So making the shore line
Was a hard feat.

He gave up a half mile
From the coastal bank
Since with no focal point
His spirit sank.

But we have the Bible
For our knowing
That it is heaven
Where we are going.

For as a believer
We have our reference
That points to the cross
For our deliverance!

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Bible, Cross, Focus, Goal, Heaven, Inspiration, Poetry | Leave a comment

Claim the Victory

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Mark Shields

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. – Galatians 5:1

Your hope should be in the qualities of God’s righteousness; the greatest being His love of you. All that is needed is to claim the victory handed to you by the great love of Christ Jesus.

It may take some time, some work, and lots of patience but just like the song Broken and Beautiful by Mark Schultz, you can maintain the joy if you never give up and practice your faith. If you continue to grab the upper hand of God and enthusiastically express your appreciation for the freedom He gives you.