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

Undivided Devotion

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Mark Shields

Reading in 1 Corinthians 7:25-40, Paul explains that a single person has undivided devotion to the Lord but a married person has a challenge because their interest are many times split between the Lord, their spouse, their children, and worldly affairs.

Paul urges us to use time wisely because the things of this earth are for the short term but the things of the Lord are long term. If we focus more on the Lord, then our earthly relationships will be strong. If we focus more on the Lord, then our earthly values are in tune with His and we can flourish.

Marriage brings on responsibilities like mortgages, raising children, chores around the house, and other concerns in life. We worry about paying our bills, washing the car, mowing the lawn, or passing a test when we need to be thinking more about God and how He is big enough to handle our challenges.

Even though being married has its challenges, there are great opportunities to do the Lord’s work. For example: we can lead in giving the blessing at dinner time or we can lead in a devotional time. This blog was started because I wanted a way to document thoughts for my family about God’s principles and how to apply them in life.

A daily devotional time internalizes His guiding principles and can become an instrument which pushes one to focus on Him in every activity throughout the day. In order to balance career, family, and devotion to the Lord, one must seek the Lord’s will in prayer.

Click on Image to Link to Devotional Index

This day with You Lord, we have faith that You will handle our yesterdays and our tomorrows so we can simply concentrate on today. We are keeping our eyes on the ONE who can make all things possible. We are focused today on the main thing … what matters most which is being blessed by You with the gift of Your love through Christ. Amen

Posted in 1 Corinthians, Bible Study | Tagged Bible Study, Devotion, Flourish, Focus, Prayer, Responsibilities | Leave a comment

Growing in Grace

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Mark Shields

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The post “Married or Single” has some thoughts and reasons for marriage. Either single or married, God thinks you are AWESOME! You can use the skills you have, be happy with who you are, and continue to grow in grace for His glory.

In life, we have to be able to make adjustments because things change. A person can go from being single to being married to being single again. We need a life plan that allows for adjustments along the journey. It’s important to have a cushion that softens change so we can go towards new ideas and strategies that may be hard at first but provides possibilities for a better future.

The Good News is that the principles taught in the Bible provide us with the life plan we need. Take inspiration from the song The Way by Jeremy Camp and continue to grow in grace today.

Index of devotionals

Posted in 1 Corinthians, Devotionals, Good Common Sense | Tagged Contentment, Devotional, Grace, Inspiration, Life, Marriage, Music, Peace, Praise | Leave a comment

Married or Single

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Mark Shields

Christians in Corinth were surrounded by sexual temptation so marriage was advised if a person could not control themselves (v. 9). Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 7:1-24 that he was single and considered it a gift but conceded that each person has their own gift from God.

This passage explains that both husband and wife have a responsibility to meet the needs of each other. At the same time, married couples do not necessarily lack self-control and sex should not be the main aspect of marriage.

Always remember that either single or married, God thinks you are AWESOME! You can use the skills you have, be happy with who you are, and let Him work out the rest.

This day with You Lord, we are thankful for the knowledge given through Your Word. We realize that life will throw us some curve balls but You’ve provided us with a way to make adjustments along the journey called life. We need help and we ask for good people to be around us so we can live in peace, contentment, and always use our gifts for Your glory. Amen.

Posted in 1 Chronicles, Bible Study, Good Common Sense | Tagged Bible Study, Contentment, Life, Marriage, Peace, Prayer | Leave a comment

Purpose of Your Body

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Mark Shields

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

A main point brought out in the post “Honor God with Your Body” is that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This truth should govern how we treat ourselves. We should eat healthy foods, have good sleeping habits, and exercise to honor God. We should not misuse our body by smoking, drinking, overeating, or being immoral.

We know much about our physical bodies as we have eyes to see, ears to hear, a mind to think, and a heart to pump blood to feed our body the oxygen it needs but do we know much about the human soul?

The physical body at some point no longer grows and eventually does not even work. Take inspiration from the song Oh My Soul by Casting Crowns. God has provided a way to lay down our burdens like worry and anger. A way to receive peace and joy. A way to make sure our soul continues to grow and last forever.

Index of devotionals

Posted in 1 Corinthians, Devotionals, Health | Tagged Devotional, Exercise, Health, Holy Spirit, Joy, Peace, Praise | Leave a comment

Honor God with Your Bodies

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Mark Shields

In the study of 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Paul attacks moral laxity and he specifically calls out sexual immorality. Commentary in *Family Times points out that sexual immorality was prevalent in Corinth during Paul’s time because this was the place where the temple for the love goddess named Aphrodite was located. More than a thousand prostitutes were employed at the temple because sex was a part of the worship.

Paul points out that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body, “The two become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in Spirit (v. 16). Paul then goes on to explain that the purpose of our body is to be the temple of the Holy Spirit (v. 19).

This truth should govern how we take care of our bodies. We should eat healthy foods, have good sleeping habits, and exercise to honor God. We should not misuse our body by smoking, drinking, overeating, or immoral. The purpose of our body is for the Lord as a holy place for the Spirit.

This day with You Lord, we pray for proper habits like eating healthy and exercising. As studied in today’s passage, our bodies are for You as the holy place for the Spirit. May we honor You today by taking care of ourselves. At the same time may we realize that even though our physical bodies will someday no longer work, our soul will last forever! Lord … You have provided a way for eternal life and this gives us true peace and joy. Amen.