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

The Journey

Posted on January 6, 2018 by Mark Shields

A poem to all those getting ready for a new semester at school, beginning their career, or a year of new goals. For you have unique talents and abilities. Every ability and potential power you have was given for a purpose. All it takes is the courage to dream, to plan, to take action.

Step Ahead

You seek to go further
To places not dreamed of yet
With a hope … a wish
And willing to sweat.

All that is required
Is a mission
A clear vision
With ambition.

For you have unique
Talents … abilities
Out – and – out potential
With possibilities.

So take in knowledge
About whatever
Be it art or science
And put it together.

With new thoughts that fill
Your mind even more
And new discoveries
Never dreamed of before.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 01-04-2018
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Posted in Poems | Tagged Ambition, Art, Creativity, Discoveries, Dream, Ideas, Knowledge, Mission, Poetry, Science, Thoughts, Vision | Leave a comment

Victory in Life

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Mark Shields

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. – 1 John 5:4

Brought out in the post Overcome Evil with Good, were some main ideas expressed and emphasized within Romans 12:9-21. Imagine a society that obeyed these ideas. There would be much less crime, greater health, and much more productivity in the economy.

The game plan to obeying these ideas is to overcome evil with good by being faithful in prayer, being joyful in hope, and devoted to one another in brotherly love. If wronged, understand that God will take care of the injustice.

The key then is to focus on being on God’s side. My pastor Steve Ramsdell brought out in a sermon one time that our plans do not always work out but God’s plan for us always brings victory in life.

So this day with God, let Him in your life and allow for His power to bring hope to your future. Many of us hate losing. We may watch our favorite sports team and at some point they lose. We can be down for several days but with God, we never lose. There is always victory.

Just as brought out in the song My Victory by Crowder, we gain victory through Jesus Christ. His death on the cross was hell’s defeat. A cross meant to kill became the secret weapon to victory.

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Posted in Devotionals, Music | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Faith, Holy Spirit, Hope, Ideas, Joy, Life, Love, Praise, Teamwork, victory | Leave a comment

Overcome Evil with Good

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Mark Shields

The main ideas expressed and emphasized in Romans 12:9-21 are to overcome evil with good by being faithful in prayer, being joyful in hope, and being devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Imagine the effects of a world obeying these ideas. There would be much less crime, a healthier society, and much more productivity for our economy. The Holy Spirit would lead each individual to where they needed to go in their life.

To obey these ideas today, let us listen to what principles are taught in the Bible and always be growing in faith by looking forward to the future. If there are setbacks, remember that God is big enough to help us meet adversity head on. If wronged, know that God will make it right in the end because those that follow His way will be blessed.

Other ideas may include focusing on being a part of God’s team using unique strengths to build up His kingdom. Genuinely caring for one another with biblical fellowship and working together to build up the Temple of God. Building a spiritual team is similar to working out as an athletic team except instead of physical exercise, scripture is used to build up spiritual muscle.

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Lord, this day will be amazing because with You we gain more victories than all the grains of sand on earth. The Bible gives great advice and victory is assured through Jesus Christ. We may have unfinished projects or deadlines looming but what is most important is claiming the sure victory Christ gave us on the cross and to sharing this victory with others. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Faith, Holy Spirit, Hope, Ideas, Joy, Life, Love, Prayer, Teamwork | Leave a comment

United in Spirit for Good Works

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Mark Shields

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others – Romans 12:5

As explained in the post “Finding My Place in this World”, Paul’s appeal in Romans 12:1-8 relates to the status we have in Christ. As Christians, we are a diverse group forming one body.

To show today that we are a member of the body of Christ and to one another, let us use our individual God given strengths to fulfill His purposes.

Be inspired by the song Place in this World by Michael W. Smith to affirm the strength God has blessed you with in order to fulfill His purposes.

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Posted in Devotionals, Purpose | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Discipline, Diversity, enthusiasm, Holy Spirit, Hope, Praise, Purpose, Strengths, Sunrise, Sunset, Teamwork, United | Leave a comment

Finding My Place in this World

Posted on January 2, 2018 by Mark Shields

Paul’s request in Romans 12:1-8 relates to the new status all Christians have. Being born again as the old self has been crucified so that the body once ruled by sin is done away with. The new life gains ultimate victory being united in the Spirit to fulfill God’s plan. By yielding to God’s will for our life, we find our place in this world.

Therefore, Christians can move forward with excitement and live each day to the fullest. They can marvel at the sunrise and the sunset, the flowers blooming, the birds singing, and the children growing. They can step ahead with the power of the Spirit giving unlimited might for each hour, delight for each day, and a future filled with hope.

Christians are a diverse group forming one body. Today, demonstrate that you are a valuable member of the body of Christ by finding your place to help serve, teach, encourage, lead, and contribute to the needs of others. Discover the strengths God has blessed you with to fulfill His purposes.

To turn our learning into living, let us exercise the disciplines of planning, organizing, listening to His direction, and being disciplined day in and day out to follow Him. The best way to start is through prayer.

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This day with You Father, we know our life has meaning. Use us today as a member of Your team to play our part for Your glory. As a group of believers working together, we become extremely informed and the work we do for You in this world is for Your glory. Together, we are extremely productive and we cheer each other on as we go about this day. Amen.