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

Guide Me in Your Truth

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Mark Shields

Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

As shared in the post “The ONE True”, knowing and trusting God makes a difference in how we treat others. God’s love for us as demonstrated on the Cross began the healing process for His people. We are brought together as one in Christ and our attitudes toward others are changed.

If the past has been one in which we were careless in our relationships or have said or done things that hurt others, we can make things right by being honest with ourselves and with others. As in the song “If We’re Honest by Francesca Battistelli, we can set out on a new path which God has provided for all.

Things of the world lead down a long and winding path to nowhere but the path of God leads to a glorious future. His promised future is laid out on the solid foundation of Truth and we can rest assured that the promise will be fulfilled.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Integrity | Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Cross, Devotional, Honesty, Integrity, Music, Praise, Relationships, Ten Commandments, Trust | Leave a comment

The ONE True

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Mark Shields

The Israelites had gone down the wrong path by worshiping things of this world rather than worshiping the ONE TRUE God. The Ten Commandments had been given to help them focus on God; to set up priorities and create order in their lives. They set standards for them to pay attention to in order to have proper family and community relationships.

Because the Israelites did not abide by the Ten Commandments, they were not blessed with good economic times. Slaves were not forbidden during those times so laws were made towards the master/slave relationship as laid out in Exodus 21. There were regulations concerning violence and neglect.

In this passage, we are able to look back at history and see the effects of putting the things of this world ahead of God. There becomes a gradual decline in society that builds up to put a heavy weight on the shoulders of people. Instead, we can offer a way for others so they can have a helper to relieve the burdens and lighten the path to a brighter future.

Fortunately, knowing and trusting God makes a difference in our relationship with others. Rather than let the way of this world creep into our life, it is much better to understand and apply the Way of God as instructed in His Word. Then we can share with others the Way so that their lives are impacted. We can also use the greatest power we have which is to go to God in prayer.

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This day with You Lord, we can pray to learn and apply the principles You give us in the Bible; asking You to search inside our soul and clear out what shouldn’t be there. We ask that our life plan lines up with what You have laid out. We ask that what we do today will result in the start of many days ahead in which we are working toward Your purpose.

Posted in Bible Study, Integrity | Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Devotional, Integrity, Prayer, Relationships, Ten Commandments | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Exodus 21-24

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Mark Shields

The excursion through the book of Galatians came to a conclusion last week. Now the journey continues in the book of Exodus. During the writing of Exodus, Abraham’s descendants were exiles in Egypt and Moses records their deliverance as a nation.

Moses faced doubts because he didn’t feel qualified and continued to give excuses for not wanting to do God’s work. We all have doubts but we must believe that God will provide and our job is to carry out His instructions. Things can be frustrating but the thing to do is be patient and keep going. Remember God is working the plan. Go to Him for assurance and support when you’re pressured with problems or criticisms.

Unlike Moses who knew his limits and was humble, Pharaoh would not take to heart the greatness of God. His stubbornness resulted in Egypt being cursed with plagues. The lesson for us is to open our hearts and minds so that we listen to God. We should not be like Pharaoh who would not listen to his own advisors much less God. Even when Pharaoh started to come around to accepting God’s great power, he returned to his deceitful ways and went back on his word.

God led His people through a tough situation as they were trapped between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea but then the sea was parted allowing them to escape. The lesson for us is that we can be optimistic even in tough situations because that’s when God work’s His miracles. He can clear a path to a brighter future. Pay attention to the lessons you can learn, listen carefully, and do what is right and your hopes and dreams will come true.

The mission of this blog is to do just that by bringing out ways to apply God’s Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The questions for reflection for the study of Exodus 21-24 below will help bring out some thoughts and ideas over the next two weeks.

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! At this link: God’s Plan for Us is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ.

Exodus 21
What is the situation in which these laws are given? How have the Israelites gotten here? What is to be the attitude toward the person and possessions of others? How does knowing God make a difference in your relationships with others?

Exodus 22:1-15
What penalty is laid out for deliberate theft? How does the penalty for being negligent in careless acts differ? Do you have a concern for others that extends to their possessions?

Exodus 22:16-31
How does the attitude toward those in need illustrate the mercy and compassion of God? How do the things you give to God relate to your priorities? How can you put God first in the future?

Exodus 23:1-19
What quality of life is God seeking to develop in His people here? What needs do the commands of verses 10-13 meet? What changes can you make so that a day of rest is a time of renewal instead of frantic activity for you and others? When and how do you express gratitude to God?

Exodus 23:20-33
What are the provisional conditions and promises God makes? What are the areas in which God will bless Israel if they serve Him? Are these blessing available to us today and how can we receive them?

Exodus 24
How do the people respond when Moses relays God’s message to them? How and where is the Mosaic Covenant ratified? What areas of your life need to be brought into obedience to God today to have deepened knowledge of God?

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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. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2017. <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 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 | Tagged Bible Study, Challenges, Champion, Christ, Faith, God’s Plan, Holy Spirit, Hope, Leadership, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture, victory | Leave a comment

Crucified with Christ

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Mark Shields

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

One thing is for sure and creates true joy for the future; by accepting Christ as Savior, things only get better. The negative past is washed away, the joy of the present is highlighted, and the future is brighter each and every day.

These thoughts were also brought out in the post “The Promise Of The Spirit” and give us a lift for each day. The memories we make today will give us a lift, the weather can give us a lift, and the ultimate lift is knowing that the future is bright because of the reward God has for all that believe in His Son.

Enjoy today’s song Multiplied by Need to Breath and receive the multiplied effect of the Spirit inside which is like radiant diamonds bursting inside with the promise of a great future filled with the never ending flow of grace.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Optimism | Tagged Bible Study, Cross, Devotional, Faith, Grace, Holy Spirit, Joy, Love, Music, Optimism, Praise, Savior, Unity | 1 Comment

The Promise Of The Spirit

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Mark Shields

The motives of the false teachers as explained in Galatians 6:11-18 were to gain more followers in their belief that human achievement is the better way rather than giving God the glory. They wanted the Galatians to keep part of the law but at the same time failing to keep another part of the law themselves.

Instead of circumcision, Paul bared the mark of Jesus on his body. He became a new creation by being crucified with Christ. We do the same by accepting Christ as Savior who died on the Cross and receive the Holy Spirit that lives inside. We step ahead with the Spirit in all that we do.

The Gospel of Christ changes our daily living because there is optimism. Even in the mundane tasks of some days, we can be optimistic because we can have faith that God is with us to make changes for the better. We receive the promise of the Spirit which provides a great future of unity, freedom, power, and victory.

God made more stars than we can count and He can bless us with joys more numerous than the stars. He can make a diamond out of dust so just think about the vast numbers of diamonds He can make from all of His people working together. Each morning, we have a fresh start and a chance to be freed from the pessimism we may have had because we can use the unlimited power, amazing grace, and unquenchable love of God.

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This day with You Lord, we have freedom because of accepting Christ as Savior. We are free from things like fear, weakness, and doubt. We have received the promise of the Spirit with a great future of unity, peace, enthusiasm, power and victory. Amen.