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

Victory Rest with the Lord

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Mark Shields

Reading in Proverbs 21, the themes of these proverbs is that the Lord is our strength and shield. He’s in control and victories rest with Him. Let us use the principles of His Word and apply them in our life for they are like tools given to us. Let us maintain and sharpen them for the challenges ahead.

Today, I’m remembering the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas back in October. The shooter planned this for a long time. His aim was destruction. He destroyed many lives that night in Las Vegas. The question is why? Why didn’t he aim for something of meaning to build up lives rather than kill and destroy? The answer my friends is the difference between a righteous person and an evil person. The killer was a person who gambled, who sought prostitutes, who only built up wealth for his own personal gratification.

The future of a righteous person is one of purpose, of meaning, and one that looks to a bright future of doing God’s will; to be fruitful and multiply. A future that helps others toward a better life rather than the destruction of lives. On the other hand, the future of an evil person leads to a meaningless future that blocks any progress.

Help us Lord today to accept that changes are constantly needed in our life. There are issues we continue to face in our human condition. Even though we’ve accepted Your Son and have become righteous in Your eyes, we struggle to live a life of meaning. Things hold us back because we doubt Your power. Help us today to put our attention on You. Help us to take initiative in making the needed changes. You are big enough to handle the challenges we face and build our lives with a meaningful purpose. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Strength | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Future, Life, Prayer, proverbs, Righteous, Strength | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Proverbs 19-26

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been sharing more thoughts from the study of the book of Proverbs. This collection of writings urges conduct that expresses a person’s relationship with God in everyday situations. The Word of God speaks to us from up high with wisdom and spiritual food for the soul.

The wise speak with encouraging words that uplift at a timely moment but the foolish tear apart crushing all hopes. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold and understanding rather than silver! If we plan our course with good motives, the Lord will provide the details by determining our steps and bring prosperity because we follow those steps.

The wise avoid the traps that bring trouble by listening to those they can trust and they always strive to get along with others by watching what comes from their words. When tested, they continue to have a good outlook on life.

The wise speak positive about situations and people with encouragement, affection, and praise. Let us think of ways to offer these positives and plan it out in our heart in order to offer sweet fruit for the souls we meet.

Let God direct each step we take. Let us strive to do what is right with integrity by loving our neighbors and treating others right. Self-discipline will help us have what is needed if we take advantage of God’s instruction and learn from the experiences we go through.

The mission of this blog is to bring out ways to better apply God’s Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The questions for reflection for the study of Proverbs 19-26 below will help bring out some thoughts and ideas over the next few weeks.

The reading plan below will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing!

Image Source

Questions for Reflection

Proverbs 19
What is your attitude toward the rich? Toward the poor? How can you be kind to the poor or needy today? What meaningful qualities from this chapter need to be a part of your life today?

Proverbs 20
What are the different categories of proverbs within this chapter? In what ways does each category reveal wisdom? How can we apply the message from today’s passage?

Proverbs 21
What are the themes of these proverbs? In what areas of life do you need to change today? What is the future of a righteous person? What is the future of an evil person?

Proverbs 22:1-16
What is the theme of this passage? What ideas are there for training the young in God’s principles? How can you change for the better so you are a good example for the younger generation?

Proverbs 22:17 through 23
What are the attitudes and actions that the wise apply? How does this wisdom affect others? What are some ideas for putting God’s instruction into practice?

Proverbs 24
How are wisdom and strength related? What is an idea for handling crisis situations? How do you know when your sleep is necessary and when it is merely escape?

Proverbs 25
How can each day be lived with enthusiasm? What should be our actions and attitudes towards our neighbors? How can you experience self-control in what you say and do?

Proverbs 26
What are the characteristics of a fool? A sluggard? A quarrelsome person? A gossip? A hypocrite? How can these traits be removed from a person’s life?

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.

“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.

Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.

“Google Images.” Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&authuser=0&ei=8IipWNPmOoPBmwHIpZ2ACQ&ved=0EKouCBcoAQ>.

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals | Tagged Bible Study, Challenges, Champion, Christ, Faith, God’s Plan, Holy Spirit, Hope, Leadership, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture, victory | Leave a comment

Success Story

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Mark Shields

This day with God, start giving direction to the dreams He gives. Here is a poem inspired by the success story of the founders of Blue Bell Ice Cream which started as a small town creamery in 1907 and today is the fourth highest-selling ice cream brand in the United States.

Step Ahead

Two farmers developed
As I recall
Something that can be
Enjoyed by all.

One farmer had chickens
With eggs to espouse.
The other a herd
Of dairy cows.

Both using their strengths,
Mixing them together
And making ice cream
As a bellwether.

Known as the best,
Called Blue Bell
A truly success
Story to tell.

The moral is to
Strife to be the best,
Pair up with strengths,
And you will be blessed.

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Ice Cream, Moral, Poetry, Story, Success, Teamwork | Leave a comment

The Best Way

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Mark Shields

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:6

The post “A Meaningful Life” offers some thoughts and ideas in living a life that brings meaning by letting God direct each step you take. To do the right thing with integrity. To love your neighbor and treat others right. To be disciplined so you have the basic necessities in life. To take advantage of tough times by learning from the experience.

The best way is God’s path. We can enroll in God’s school of wisdom and apply this wisdom in our life. The book of Proverbs is the text book to the course. Here’s a video with these thoughts in mind: The Way – Jeremy Camp.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, enthusiasm, Family, Life, Praise, proverbs, Wisdom | Leave a comment

A Meaningful Life

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Mark Shields

The proverbs can be categorized as to observation, interpretation, or application. We can learn from others through observation. We can interpret God’s Word so that it directs our steps. We can apply what we learn for a meaningful life.

Proverbs 20 starts out with the vice of alcoholic beverages. We can observe the life of an alcoholic and learn much about how this vice destroys the life of individuals and their families. The chapter then points out the negatives of having low energy and not being able to obtain the basic necessities of food and shelter. Enthusiasm with integrity helps one to flourish but idleness will wither a future.

The key to flourishing is to let God direct each step. Let God direct your steps by putting the future in His hands. Being honest with yourself and with others. Learning from mistakes of the past and honoring God by applying His instructions in your life.

Photo Credit – truthmattersblog.wordpress.com

This day with You Lord, direct our steps. We pray for help in using the lessons in Your Word and the experiences we go through Lord. Like a lake that collects rain water, help us to collect a reservoir of thoughts and ideas over time to be used to guide our steps along the journey. We receive your grace Lord and accept the opportunity to gain wisdom in order to live a meaningful life. Amen.