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

Way to Righteousness

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Mark Shields

As explained in Romans 3:21-31, legal obedience cannot make one acceptable to God but faith in Jesus Christ does. God gave the plan in providing a way to righteousness by presenting Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood – to be received by faith (v. 25).

The conditions for a person to be justified is faith in Christ Jesus is not by works but by faith. A person’s pride or boasting is excluded because a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law (v. 28).

God’s way to righteousness is not by legal obedience but by faith in Jesus Christ. It’s all about what Christ has already done to provide the clear path to victory. So, the victory starts with one small step; one small step toward Jesus and those who step ahead will find that they can get further than they ever thought we could.

Image Source

This day with You God, we want to thrive in faith by trusting in Your way to righteousness. We confess that we are not perfect, we accept Your forgiveness, and want to walk in the light. Your forever presence through the Holy Spirit continually recreates us so we are prepared for all the challenge ahead. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Faith | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Devotional, Faith, Jesus, Prayer, Righteousness | 1 Comment

The Week Ahead

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Mark Shields

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

Below are some questions for reflection:

Romans 3:21-31

* Since legal obedience cannot make one acceptable to God, what will? Who takes the initiative in providing a way to be justified? On what conditions is a person justified? In view of God’s way of righteousness, what happens to your pride and boasting? Why?

Romans 4:1-12

* How does Abraham receive right standing with God (See Gal. 3:6-18; 4:21-31)? Why can’t Abraham boast before God or claim his due? How does this way of righteousness affect your attitude toward God? Toward good works?

Click on Image to Link to Devotional Index

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

Far and Wide

Posted on September 30, 2017 by Mark Shields

Why live in a future of worry, restriction, & failure. Instead, receive God’s grace and accept Christ with the promise of the Spirit with a future of unity, peace, enthusiasm, freedom, power & victory. These are some of the thoughts brought out in this poem.

Step Ahead

More joys than stars
on a clear night
because with grace
the future is bright.

No more negatives
that held you back;
changing your future
with a winning knack.

Forward with the Spirit
in all that you do
for Christ the Savior
makes you all new.

One thing is for sure
and creates great joy;
the Spirit of Christ
is ready to deploy.

With the Spirit inside
and the Word as your guide,
the Good News of Christ
reaches far and wide.

Poem By Mark Shields – © 09-28-2017
Image Source

View original post

Posted in Poems | Tagged Faith Optimism, Good News, Grace, Holy Spirit, Joy, Poetry, Savior, Unity | Leave a comment

Decide to Dive

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Mark Shields

Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. – Hebrews 4:16

In the post “Purpose of the Law”, brought out is the fact that it is impossible to be justified before God by our own efforts because no one is perfect. I remember from a sermon at the church I worship at the following point:

The Journey with Jesus begins with a decision (MK 1:16-17), with leaving the familiar (MK 1:12-20), with Jesus saying lets go, with a change in view (MK 1:17) and in following the real Jesus (Ac 9:10-11).*

The things that hinder us many times are self-inflicted. There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called “Dive” that inspires us to take some risk when it comes to finding what’s important in life. The Journey with Jesus requires that we dive right in and start the continual change process by following His Way.

Index of devotionals

”Sermons.” FUMC Waco*. Web. <http://fumcwaco.org>.

Posted in Devotionals, Initiative | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Grace, Holy Spirit, Initiative, Inspiration, Praise, Priorities, Thankful | Leave a comment

Purpose of the Law

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Mark Shields

Paul concludes in Romans 3:19-20 that the purpose of the law is to make us all aware of our sin. Those who are under the law which includes everyone are held accountable to God and no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law.

It is impossible to be justified before God by our own efforts because no one is perfect. Lou Nicholes makes the following statement in his daily devotional:

Sin has infected and affected every part of our being. But to say that, is to say nothing more than the historic Protestant doctrine of Total Depravity. It means that sin has affected every part of man’s being; his mind, his emotions, his will, his intellect, his moral reasoning, his decision making, his words and his deeds.*

This day with You Lord, we are thankful for today’s passage that points out that the law helps us to see our faults and understand that we need help. We are thankful that Jesus is that help and the Spirit gives us the freedom to start new, to plan, to think and come up with ideas that make us better. For it is in Jesus name that we pray. Amen!