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

Engrained in Who We Are

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Mark Shields

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8

Emphasized in the post “Practice What You Preach” is the need to know God’s instructions from the Bible and better practice or apply these instructions until they become an effortless activity throughout our day; a positive part of our life that becomes permanently engrained in who we are.

Once God’s principles become a part of who we are, we should search for others to join us in applying our faith. We should be creative in how to apply our faith. Are there apps we can use or even develop to help people apply their faith in their daily activities? Are there songs like Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsong we can share?

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Discipline | Tagged Bible Study, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Praise, Self Discipline | Leave a comment

Practice What You Preach

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Mark Shields

Paul is accusing the Jewish leaders in Romans 2:17-29 of not practicing what they preach. They emphasized the law but had to compliment themselves because they believed that knowing the law was top priority but Paul explains that following the law with actions is what is most important.

Paul goes on to say that the Jewish leaders had blasphemed God’s name among the Gentiles because of not practicing what they preach. What gives meaning to our faith is not only knowing God’s law backwards and forwards but also practicing its instructions in our life.

The only praise we should seek is praise from God and not from others. If we continue to practice what we preach as Christians, the instructions will eventually become effortless because they will become a positive part of our life and ingrained in who we are. Then others will be blessed and will join us.

Image Source

At all times of this day, we have the opportunity to read, study, and pray; to praise You God and seek Your direction for the rest of the day. From today’s passage, we have learned the importance of doing what we say. Help us to speak to others by our actions and move others to wanting to accept Christ because of how we live. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Discipline | Tagged Bible Study, Christianity, Devotional, Prayer, Self Discipline | Leave a comment

Living the Way He Teaches

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Mark Shields

Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor You. – Psalm 86:11

The post “Integrate Faith with Actions” is about Paul pointing out that what we know in our mind needs to lead into the heart. It’s all about receiving God’s mercy and grace by accepting Christ first. Then, our hearts are transformed into committed followers of His Way.

Every day can be amazing because we are putting the guidance of the Holy Spirit into practice. We can’t work hard enough to be saved but we can accept Christ in our heart and give it our best effort to daily show that we are saved.

Like the song Back to God by Reba McEntire, let us inspire others to begin today to integrate our faith with our actions because knowing God and accepting His grace makes our burdens lighter. Before long, the world will be changed for the better.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Applied Faith, Bible Study | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Devotional, Faith, Grace, Holy Spirit, Mercy, Praise | Leave a comment

Integrate Faith with Actions

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Mark Shields

As described in the first part of Romans 2, God’s judgment is wrath and anger which brings trouble and distress rather than glory, honor, and peace. Reading further in Romans 2:12-16, Paul explains that the Jewish leaders say they go by the law but what they say and do are two different things.

Paul goes on to write that the Jews will be judged by the law but it is only those who obey the law that are declared righteous. The Gentiles have no written law but the requirements of the law are written in their hearts, in their conscience, and in their thoughts.

So what is important for the reader to grasp in studying today’s passage is that what we know in our mind needs to lead into the heart. Then we are able to integrate our faith with our actions. The Jewish leaders thought they had what was needed but it was just for show on the outside. What Paul is explaining is that it is not following the complex rules of the law that matter but accepting God’s grace so our hearts can be transformed to live like Jesus taught.

Image Source

Lord, help us to live the way You teach so that good is developed from within. Help us to walk in the Spirit using Jesus as our model. Provide for our needs along this journey and inspire in us the passion to invite others to join us on this journey. Amen.

Posted in Applied Faith, Bible Study | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Faith, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prayer | Leave a comment

The Week Ahead

Posted on September 17, 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 2:12-16
* Further describe God’s judgment (v. 1-11). On what basis will God judge the Jews who have the law? How will He judge the Gentiles who have no written law? Where is the law for the Gentiles?

Romans 2:17-29
* For what reasons do the Jews compliment themselves? What will give meaning to your outward religious performance? Whose praise do you seek? What will get you to heaven?

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.