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

Worthy of Praise

Posted on June 7, 2019 by Mark Shields

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Philippians 4:8

Many live to please false teachers or political deceivers of this world but as explained in the post “Living for the King of the World”, we should not be deceived. They only want gain for themselves and not for the people.

This day with God, we are not falling into this trap. We are taking the clear path of God who provides liberty, spiritual growth, and financial justice. As the song King of the Word by Natalie Grant, we serve a True King worthy of praise.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Accurate Thinking, Devotionals | Tagged Cross, Devotional, Equality, Glory, Honor, Leadership, Liberty, Praise, Prayer, Thought | 1 Comment

Living for the King of the World

Posted on June 6, 2019 by Mark Shields

In Micah 2, we get information on how to handle those who want to abuse their power. The deceivers discussed in this passage desire material gain for themselves at the expense of their fellow neighbor. They have no qualms about destroying liberty so long as it fulfills their own appetite for materialism.

The two groups of deceivers who abuse their power mentioned in this passage are false religious teachers and political leaders who create economic advantages for themselves. We should speak out against them and instead seek ways to bring honor and glory to the Lord.

Our liberty, justice, and equality comes from the Lord and not from false religious teachers or political leaders who are seeking power for themselves. Let us read, study, and memorize the Word of God so we have a game plan to defeat those who want to deceive us.

Leaders of this world today create wrong data captured to proof their own desires rather than what is best for the people. Those following the way of the Lord have accepted what Christ did on the Cross as the path to true liberty and victory.

Those of faith accept what Christ did on the Cross. Photo taken 06/04/2018 at Garvan Woodland Gardens near Hot Springs Arkansas.

This day with You Lord, we are living for the king of the World. We are not living for those of this world who deceive for their own power. Our thoughts today are on the freedom You give through Jesus Christ. The freedom to choose the path that leads to spiritual and financial justice. Amen.

Posted in Accurate Thinking, Bible Study | Tagged Bible Study, Cross, Equality, Glory, Honor, Leadership, Liberty, Prayer, Thought | Leave a comment

Everything for His Glory

Posted on June 5, 2019 by Mark Shields

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken – Psalm 16:8

The post, “Focus on What is Important to God” is about Micah prophesizing judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem. The people during that time were focused more on what was important to them rather than on what was important to God.

This day with God, let us fix our eyes on everything that’s important to Him. Take inspiration from the song Fix My Eyes by King & Country.

Love like I’m not scared
Give when it’s not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Focus | Tagged Concentration, Devotional, Dreams, Focus, Life, Praise, Purpose, Vision | Leave a comment

Focus on What is Important to God

Posted on June 4, 2019 by Mark Shields

God is characterized as all powerful in verses 1-7 of Micah 1. As stated in verse 4,

The mountains melt beneath Him
and the valleys split apart,
like wax before the fire,
like water rushing down a slope.

The word of the Lord comes to Micah and as a prophet he is delivering a vision of God’s judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem because of their sin.

God speaks in various ways like visions, dreams, life’s circumstances, and through other people. In this case, the Word of God is how the message comes to us and as a prophet, Micah delivers to us the need to focus on what is important to God.

I’m reminded of when my daughter played soft ball. Here’s a photo of her batting and the umpire ready to call balls and strikes. Micah in today’s passage is like the umpire calling balls and strikes. As we reflect on our life, we should determine if we are taking our swings at things in the strike zone or on things outside the strike zone.

God’s opinion is the only one that counts so concentrate on what is important to God. When we do, we are swinging at things in the strike zone. When we see what is important to God, we should swing at it as hard as we can. Don’t get down if you swing and miss but keep trying to make solid contact.

Lord, we daily come to You in prayer in humbleness knowing that You control all things. You are the ONE who has the power to melt mountains and split valleys apart. Help us to focus on what is important to You. We put You first today ahead of our past issues, our current circumstances, and our future worries. We have peace today because of Jesus and this helps us keep our eye on what is important. You will align our heart so we know what matters most to You and can step ahead towards Your plan for our life with a purpose in every step. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Focus | Tagged Bible Study, Concentration, Dreams, Focus, Life, Purpose, Vision | 1 Comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Micah

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Mark Shields

We live in a very busy world with busy schedules so this devotional blog has been created to help with regular Bible reading and study even in the midst of these busy times. Here is a link to “Questions for Reflection” to help stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles at work, at home, and in all we do.

Here is a link of all the devotionals done so far so a person can join in at any time and read some thoughts as we journey together. The devotional also offers ideas for using time wisely at this link and at this link is a plan towards making an impact in the world in which we live.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable to sharing about God’s word. As I share about my study of the book of Micah of the next few weeks, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with God amazing!

Questions for Reflection

Micah 1
How is God characterized in verses 1-7? What can God do to nature when He judges? What can He do to cities? What authority does the prophet have to give his message?

Micah 2
What do those who abuse their power do? How should we respond to them? What promises does the Lord make?

Micah 3
What are the characteristics of the leadership of Israel during the time of Micah? Do we have leadership in current times similar to the time of Micah? Explain the similarities. What can you do to fulfill your responsibility to warn leaders about the hazards of bad leadership? How can you fight back against bad leaders?

Micah 4
What are God’s plans for the “last days”? To what extent is your group or nation trying to pattern its progress according to verses 3-4? Do you think it will succeed?

Micah 5
What type of leadership is promised? In what will the people trust for their strength? What is the basis of your confidence about yourself and life?

Micah 6
What does God desire of you? What is the central cause of Israel’s separation from God? In what ways is your life directed by the standards of the world rather than by God’s standards?

Micah 7
What happened to human relationships? What is Micah’s attitude toward God while in a sinful society? What should be your attitude and your response?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.