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

Integrate Faith with Lifestyle

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Mark Shields

The attitudes of the wise as explained in Proverbs 22:17 through 23 are to have concern for the weak, the needy, and helpless. The actions of the wise help rather than put more obstacles in their way. The wise are even tempered, honest, and disciplined. They follow instructions and are leaders that encourage others. They are good fathers, mothers, and diligent workers that lead others toward God’s way.

The Bible is God’s instruction manual on how to integrate faith with lifestyle. One idea for putting God’s instruction into practice is to integrate faith with lifestyle. Being able to mesh what one believes with what one does.

Another idea is to pray before retiring for the night. Pray for God’s will and seek to seal the deal. Try to look at tasks that are needed for tomorrow and visualize what needs to be done. Fill your mind with a picture of accomplishing the tasks before you.

Some days may not be perfect but this day with You Lord will be amazing if we put Your guidance into practice. Help us today to keep in step with Your Spirit by listening, by following, by believing, and by obeying. Open our minds today to take in Your instruction so it sinks into our heart and integrates with our lifestyle. We accept the power You give today because of Your love for us through Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Faith | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Faith, Ideas, Lifestyle, Prayer, proverbs | Leave a comment

The Week Ahead

Posted on April 22, 2018 by Mark Shields

Below are some questions for reflection.

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?

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

Empowerment

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Mark Shields

There are many worldly disciplines that enable us in life but empowerment from God enables us to reach new heights never obtained before.

Step Ahead

Life lessons are learned
From the complex
Like business, science,
And other subjects

Gaining knowledge;
Being competent;
Learning new things;
Becoming confident.

Learning from others
And their great strengths
In order to complement
At excellent lengths.

But most important
Is to lay down claim
To the ONE who
Heals the lame.

Christ makes our burdens
Lighter than a feather
Allowing us to
Reach new heights together.

Image Source
Poem by Mark Shields – © 04-19-2018

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Empowerment, Excellence, Lessons, Poetry, Teamwork | Leave a comment

Focus

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Mark Shields

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2

As pointed out in the post “Attention on the Principles Taught”, we all have one thing in common. God is maker of us all so let us put our attention on the principles taught by His Son and we will have what we need to succeed. Let us fix our eyes on what is unseen; never changing and eternal. Earthly struggles last a short time compared to God’s path that leads to eternal peace and eternal bliss.

In the book Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald, an idea is given to develop a series of codes (keywords) that will help organize your thoughts and ideas. As we read, listen to music, watch movies, or talk with people throughout life, document thoughts and ideas by organizing according to these keywords. For example from the song Fix My Eyes by King & Country, below are some thoughts we can document for the key word focus (Focus on God):

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 and above it all

Index of devotionals

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Focus | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Focus, Leadership, Praise, proverbs, Success, Technology | Leave a comment

Attention on the Principles Taught

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Mark Shields

The main theme of Proverbs 22:1-16 is putting God first. The one thing we all have in common is that God is maker of us all. If we put our attention on the principles taught in the Bible, we will all have what we need to succeed.

Our attention to putting God first should begin at a young age. Training children in the ways of God so they will not depart from it (v. 6). At the same time, adults also grow by training the young and becoming good examples for them.

One idea for training young people is to highlight God’s principles. It is a challenge because of the distractions that technology can bring to us today. Social media and the access to false information makes it a challenge to train in the right way.

One advantage to God’s principles are that they never change. From generation to generation, the principles are the same. Most everything changes in our world with technology but the principles of God never do.

A daily devotional time using a guide like “This Day with God” internalizes His guiding principles becoming an instrument which pushes one to focus on Him in every activity throughout the day.

Being a good example for the younger generation requires that we apply His principles in our own lives. Kids need leadership and they need to see their leader walking the walk. Technology doesn’t work unless the code that runs it is synced up. It’s the same in our lives. To walk the walk, leaders must be in sync with the correct model. They need to be in sync with the ONE that provides what they need; the ONE true God.

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This day with You Lord, help us to focus on what matters most in life. We sometimes focus on things that don’t matter like a luxurious house, a fancy car, or that our favorite sports team wins. These never fully satisfy but the promise You give us through Your Son opens the door to an awesome future. Use us to reveal Your glory to the younger generation so that all eyes are fixed on the ONE that brings significance. Amen.