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

Fertile Ground for a Great Harvest

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Mark Shields

As described in Romans 1:8-15, Paul put a lot into his relationship with the Roman Christians because he was eager to spread the Good News. Rome was the center of communication throughout the world during Paul’s time so it was fertile ground for a great harvest.

The thing about life is the stress of being able to balance everything so we can accomplish all that we set out to do. Therefore, there is a great need to study our priorities; go after first what is most important and then like the domino effect, our items on the task list start to fall one after another.

Paul had to balance things in his life. He was on his third missionary trip to Corinth and had not visited the Roman church yet so he relied on Timothy’s help. Paul knew his purpose was to communicate knowledge of the Gospel and he wanted the Roman Christians to gain strength and encouragement.

He wanted to uplift and encourage them to be strong in their faith so he prayed with a grateful heart toward what their purpose for God would be. He hoped to impart spiritual knowledge to the Roman Christians and encourage them to use their God given talent.

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This day with You God, we pray the same prayers for our fellow Christians throughout the world so together, we all know Your Plan for Us. Many have a desire for wealth, many have a passion for material things … but some have enthusiasm for helping others. Help us to have this type of enthusiasm … for your people and to grow Your army of workers. Help us to find ways to encourage and strengthen each other to carry out Your purpose in the world. Amen!

Posted in Bible Study, Purpose | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Encouragement, enthusiasm, Gospel, Prayer, Priorities, Purpose | 2 Comments

Responding to the Facts of the Gospel

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Mark Shields

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1

Shared in the post “The Servant of Christ Jesus”, Paul gave the church at Rome some facts of the Gospel; that it was promised from the beginning, that Christ died for our sins on the Cross, and that all who believe in Christ as the Son of God receive eternal life.

There’s a special feeling you get when you’ve been a part of helping bring the message to others. This day with God, let us obediently respond to the facts of the Gospel and fulfill our call as a witness. Here is a song to inspire as we go about our day: My Story by Big Daddy Weave.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Bible Study, Faith, Music | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Devotional, Faith, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Hope, Praise, Witness, Worship | 1 Comment

The Servant of Christ Jesus

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Mark Shields

Reading in Romans 1:1-7, Paul introduces himself as a servant of Christ Jesus. He had never been to Rome as he writes this letter while in Corinth on his third missionary journey. He also introduces himself as an apostle; someone sent by authority who had seen Christ on the road to Damascus.

Paul saw himself as someone who could enthusiastically tell the Good News that Christ died for all. Paul’s special commission was to take the Gospel message to the Gentiles and this is why he was planning to go to Rome (v. 5).

Paul gives the church at Rome some facts about the Gospel; that it was promised from the beginning, that Christ died for our sins on the Cross, and that all who believe in Christ as the Son of God receive eternal life. Thriving in faith can be straightforward if we simply trust, obey, and follow Jesus.

Not only is the future bright for believers but the present is bright too. Faith gained today will pull us through tomorrow so we can step ahead in the weeks ahead. Then each week takes us to a higher place and each month gets us to a higher level of devotion.

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This day with You God, help us to obediently respond to the facts of the Gospel by telling our stories of faith. Lord … our faith originated from You and gives us power through the Holy Spirit. As a believer, this power resides in our soul and we are thankful. Amen!

Posted in Bible Study, Faith | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Cross, Devotional, enthusiasm, Faith, Gospel, Prayer, Soul | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Romans 1-2

Posted on August 28, 2017 by Mark Shields

I want to take this time to thank all of you my readers. I’ve found this blog to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are keeping me accountable to daily Bible reading and study. We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing.

So far this year, the journey through God’s Word has been through the book of Acts 1-12 and then through the entire book of Exodus. As the journey continues, I will turn to the book of Romans. Paul writes the letter of Romans to the church at Rome while in Corinth on his third missionary journey. Within this letter is a detailed explanation of the Gospel.

The mission of this blog is to bring out ways to better apply God’s Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The questions for reflection for the study of Romans 1-2 below will help bring out some thoughts and ideas over the next few weeks.

The Lord speaks to us in various ways – visions, dreams, and life’s circumstances; even advice from others. Most of all, God speaks through the Bible. Thus, the main purpose of this blog is to study His Word with the intent to gain wisdom that we may apply in our own lives and also help others along the journey.

The reading plan below will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing!

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Questions for Reflection
Romans 1:1-7
In what way does Paul introduce himself? What facts about the Gospel does Paul give? How can you respond to these facts and fulfill your call as a witness?

Romans 1:8-15
Describe Paul’s attitude toward the Roman Christians. For what reason does he want to visit them? What is the content of his prayers about them? What Christian can you pray for in this way?

Romans 1:16-17
What are the facts about the gospel (See vv. 1-6, 15)? Why is it powerful? How is its power released? What is different about living by faith?

Romans 1:18-23
How are God’s righteousness (v. 17) and His wrath (v. 18) related? What actions of man prompt God’s wrath? To what extent are you honoring God as God and being thankful?

Romans 1:24-32
How is God’s repeated action (vv. 24, 26, 28) related to the expression of wrath in verse 18? How does a society react to being given up? What are the sins listed in verses 29-31? From what do all these sins stem (See verses 21, 25, 28, 32)?

Romans 2:1-11
Of what does Paul accuse the Jews who have the revelation of God’s law? What should be the response to God’s kindness and patience? What changes do you need to make in your life in view of the basis of judgment?

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?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

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

“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. Web. <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.

Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.

“Google Images.” Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&authuser=0&ei=8IipWNPmOoPBmwHIpZ2ACQ&ved=0EKouCBcoAQ>.

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible Study, Challenges, Champion, Christ, Faith, God’s Plan, Holy Spirit, Hope, Leadership, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture, victory | 1 Comment

Highway to Heaven

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Mark Shields

This poem was written to inspire kindness. This day with God, use kind words to encourage and share with others so all obstacles to God’s way are removed. Do this out of true concern for their future.

Step Ahead