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

The Week Ahead

Posted on April 8, 2018 by Mark Shields

This week, we will continue the study of the book of Proverbs and share more thoughts.

Below are some 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?

Believe that God has a great plan for you.Victory starts by having a plan. By accepting God’s plan for us, all we need to do is follow and believe He will provide the power. He will give the upper hand to make what seems impossible possible.

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

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals | Tagged Bible Study, Christianity, Leadership, Plans, Prayer, Purpose, Quiet Time | Leave a comment

Stepping On Cancer

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Mark Shields

Step Ahead

The fight against cancer
Started years ago.
Inspired by a player
Who never went pro.

Freddie Steinmark
Is the players name
On the sixty nine
UT team of fame.

Six days after the
“Game of the Century”,
X-rays revealed
A brutal enemy.

A bone tumor caused
Leg amputation.
Twenty days later
He inspired the nation.

There on the sidelines
At the Cotton Bowl
Lifting up his team
And nation as a whole.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 04-05-2018
Image Source

This poem was inspired after watching the movie “My All-American” which is the true story of the University of Texas football player Freddie Steinmark who played on the national championship team in 1969. Six days after the “Game of the Century” against Arkansas, x-rays revealed a bone tumor in his leg. His leg was amputated but twenty days later, he was on the sideline with his teammates as they…

View original post 111 more words

Posted in Poems, Relay for Life | Tagged American Cancer Society, Courage, Football, Poetry, Relay For Life | Leave a comment

Keeping the Name of the Lord

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Mark Shields

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.

One of my favorite takeaways from the study of Proverbs 18 and posted in “The Power Like a Strong Tower” is that our words have the power of life and death. By keeping the name of the Lord in our everyday living, we not only have power in our own life but also give power to those around us as we encourage them.

Keeping the name of the Lord shelters us like a fortified tower providing safety from the wind and high ground above the floods. As pointed out in the song Strong Tower by Kutless, keeping the name of the Lord provides strength when we are weak and courage if afraid. When the storms of life rage, the Lord is our strong tower and His mercy sets us free.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals | Tagged Bible Study, Champion, Courage, Devotional, Encouragement, Freedom, Mercy, Politeness, Praise, Safety, Soul, Strength | Leave a comment

The Power Like a Strong Tower

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Mark Shields

Explained in reading Proverbs 18 is that the unfriendly that start quarrels. The speech of fools brings on difficulty but being positive in what you say satisfies the soul. Your words have so much power and keeping the name of the Lord has the power like a strong tower to shelter during the storm.

During weakness, He gives courage to face your fears. When the storms of life rage, He gets you above the flood and shelters from the wind. His mercy is so powerful that it breaks all the chains that hold you captive and is the key to set you free.

When I was growing up, my dad was a coach and a player from his team went on to be a star running back at the University of Texas. Over the years, we would go to games in Austin and I remember one time when the team was number one in the nation. They lit the tower on campus orange and left the lights in certain offices so that it lit up the number one like the photo below.

Image Source

We can be thankful because when God is our number ONE, our life will be victorious and we will be an example of a champion that encourages others.

This day with You Lord, I’m thankful that Your name is my strong tower. If today turns out to be a difficult day, I know your strength is available. Lord, Your mercy sets me free so that I can escape to the high ground. My words will be positive words. Not words that tear apart and bring on more difficulty but words that will encourage, show affection, and satisfy the soul. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Tact | Tagged Bible Study, Champion, Devotional, Encouragement, Freedom, Politeness, Prayer, Safety, Soul, Strength | 3 Comments

Adjustments

Posted on April 4, 2018 by Mark Shields

Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. – Job 6:24

The post “Interaction” highlighted principles that can be used for how we interact in our relationships and in life situations. Some main points brought out are to avoid the traps that get us into trouble by listening to those we can trust and striving to get along with others by watching what we say. When challenged with difficulty, continue to have a good outlook on life.

As pointed out in the song Dear Younger Me by MercyMe, life is not always a smooth ride but the bumps along the way hopefully help us learn and gain experience so that needed adjustments are made for a better future.