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

The Week Ahead

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Mark Shields

This week, we will continue the journey and share some thoughts from the study of Joshua 9-10.

Below are some questions for reflection.

Joshua 9
Why do the Gibeonites devise their plan of deception? Why are the leaders of Israel fooled by them? What can you do to avoid this kind of mistake?

Joshua 10
How is the Ammonites’ reaction to the invading Israelites different from the Gibeonites’? How does Joshua use this situation as a basis for engendering future trust in God? In what ways is God’s presence and power in your life today related to your future situations?

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.

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Index of Devotionals

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals | Tagged Bible Study, Christianity, Plans, Prayer, Purpose, Quiet Time | Leave a comment

Decisions

Posted on March 18, 2017 by Mark Shields

This poem was inspired after reading Joshua 7-12

Step Ahead

When God is with you,
everything is good
but separated,
it’s not as it should.

That’s the reason
all sin He suspends
for on the cross
He made the amends.

Victory comes when
the Lord is with you
and sets you up
with great things to do.

Consider His way
in preparing this day
for the challenges
that will come your way.

Let God be a part
of all decisions;
the ONE who approves
all the great visions.

Visions of a job,
a husband or wife;
of a family
or anything in life.

When you let God drive
wherever you go
and see Him at work,
confidence will grow.

Victories will come
as you give your best;
enthusiasm
to meet every test.

Think of a forecast;
how data is sought
to make decisions;
informed like they ought.

And how God is involved
in a future that’s bright
so keep on…

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Cross, Decisions, Faith, Future, Holy Spirit, Insight, Life, Poetry, Purpose, victory, Visions | 2 Comments

ONE True God

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Mark Shields

I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from …the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me. – Exodus 20:2-3

The first battle at Ai was not a success because Joshua and the Israelites were not in sync with God. They lacked gratefulness and they lacked focus. Sometimes we do not appreciated what we have as much when things are going good and we lose our focus.

In our technological world today, all the systems must be in sync to operate correctly. It’s the same with our spiritual life. Sometimes we just need to be synced up to the ONE that provides what we need; the ONE True God.

I hope today’s song I Am by Mark Schultz will get you synced up with our Creator and I hope the victories will keep coming your way today.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Focus | Tagged Bible Study, Creator, Devotional, Focus, Lesson, Life, Listen, victory | 1 Comment

Prepared for Battle

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Mark Shields

Joshua had gained a great victories when God was with him like at Jericho but then found out that past victories do not guarantee future victories when a soldier disobeyed a command. God then turned away from the Israelites and the result was a defeat at Ai. Reading in Joshua 8, a plan was received by Joshua from God to attack Ai for a second time.

The plan was to set an ambush by sending some soldiers on the north side of the city while others were stationed on the west side. As the king of Ai and his soldiers went after Joshua’s soldiers on the north side of the city, Joshua’s soldiers on the west side advanced into the city, captured it, and set it on fire.

Joshua obtained this strategy for victory by listening to instructions from God. Victory came because God was with them and had set things up for them. The lesson for us is to pay attention to God so we are prepared for what challenges the world brings our way.

Israel gained this victory because Joshua had learned from his first blunder and decided to humbly follow God who gave him a second chance. After the victory, Joshua built an altar to the Lord. This day, let us also remember the victories and build a winning tradition by paying attention to God’s plan, setting out to follow the plan, and continuing to learn lessons throughout life.

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Posted in Bible Study, Focus | Tagged Bible Study, Devotional, Focus, Lesson, Life, Listen, victory | 2 Comments

Who Can Be Against Us

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Mark Shields

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God be with us, who can be against us? – Romans 8:31

In the post “When Life Falls Apart”, shared were thoughts after reading Joshua 7 and how Joshua gained a great victory at Jericho but then found out that past victories do not guarantee future victories. He had a soldier that disobeyed a command and this caused God to turn away from the Israelites.

The result was a defeat at the next battle. Back in the day of Joshua, atonement was the death of the soldier and his whole family. In current times, we have the luxury of a much easier way because through Jesus, God has smoothed out the path so that returning back to Him is much easier. All we have to do is be humble, accept Jesus in our heart, and let God provide the power. Then there is a freedom and we can get the most out of life.

Everyone needs God’s grace. Once received, one can gain wisdom to live the way life is meant to be lived. As the main point given to us in the song Dear Younger Me by MercyMe, our tomorrows can be better than our yesterdays and today can be amazing because our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never let us down.