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

Role Model

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Mark Shields

When a young person has good role models to follow, they can see, believe, and achieve. They are able to follow good examples from teachers, preachers, and leaders. This picture was taken after my daughter’s confirmation at our church in 2011.

Step Ahead

Confirmation 5-1-11

With good role models
Like parents, teachers,
Grandparents, preachers,
Or civic leaders.

The Individual
Increases their chance
To see, believe,
Achieve and advance.

They start to model
Positive behavior
And start to believe
Christ as their savior.

They pray and ask
To receive a purpose;
They imagine how
They could be of service.

They see in their mind
The roles they will play
To act out their part
Each and every day.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 09-27-2018

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Achievement, Grandparents, Leaders, Parents, Poetry, Preachers, Purpose, Service, Teachers | Leave a comment

Love From Above

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Mark Shields

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2

The post “Undivided Devotion” was about Paul’s warnings to the Corinthian church about being separated from full devotion to God. Marriage can cause this to happen because the things of this world become much more important when we are trying to pay the bills, raise children, do chores around the house, or put time into other concerns of life.

At the same time though, marriage and family relationships can give us opportunities to make an impact on our world in amazing ways. But it takes putting our attention on God and His presence. By putting Him first, the rest of our challenges in life work out.

Our Creator has unlimited resources and can handle our yesterdays and our tomorrows so we can simply concentrate on today. When we worship, we are giving God the one thing He can’t give us; our time.

During worship, we are expressing how valuable He is in our life. So give Him four minutes of your time today. Take in the information given in the song Fix My Eyes by King & Country. Keep your eyes on the ONE who can make all things possible. Be focused today on the main thing … what matters most and realize how you’ve been blessed with the gift of love from above.

Index of devotionals

Posted in 1 Corinthians, Devotionals | Tagged Devotional, Flourish, Focus, Praise, Prayer, Responsibilities, Worship | Leave a comment

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.