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

Questions for Reflection for Study of Hosea 1-8

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Mark Shields

I’ve posted over the last few weeks about the study of Amos 5-9. The poem Faith Grows Greater below was inspired by this study.

Faith Grows Greater
Take action right now
To seek what the Creator
Has in store for you
As faith grows greater.

Seek the Lord by reading;
Seek Him by daily learning;
Seek Him by applying the Word
So you become more discerning.

The Word will be a weapon
Like a shield and sword
Providing spiritual food
And your daily reward.

Always have a sure hope
Because of the promise.
Look to better days ahead
Never be a doubting Thomas.

Cheer up my friend
For a lofty palace is set aside
So step ahead this day
Following the perfect guide.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 10-13-2016

The objective of any Bible study should be to not only learn the main principles of the Word but to keep the Word in our thoughts in order to apply them in our life. I will continue this objective with a study in the book of Hosea 1-8 over the next few weeks. The aim is to plant the seeds of faith, hope, and love in order to yield fruit that nourishes others.

I invite you to join me over the next few weeks as I step ahead using the questions below to inspire thoughts and ideas. God will give us the upper hand by producing in us the heart of a champion.

Hosea 1
In what ways does Hosea’s domestic life portray the life of the nation of Israel? What progression is sketched by the meaning of the names of Hosea’s children? What image is portrayed in the last paragraph of this passage?

Hosea 2:1-13
What are the reasons for Gomer leaving Hosea? What action does Hosea plan to take? In what ways are you like Gomer? How has God made you realize that life’s good things are from Him?

Hosea 2:14-23
What is God’s objective in restoration? In what ways does God seek to have a relationship with Israel that is similar to a marriage relationship? In what ways does God encouraged you to work together with Him?

Hosea 3-4
What has happened to Gomer? What is involved before Hosea can live with her again? What is the extended effect of sin? How does God diagnose this plight? What is the cure?

Hosea 5-6
What are the charges God brings against Israel? What can we learn from the reaction of Ephraim to God’s judgment? How can you guard against superficial response to God?

Hosea 7-8
What do the metaphors describing Israel reveal? Why hasn’t Israel turned to God for forgiveness? Israel was blind to sin but unlike Israel, how can we guard against blindness to sin?

The above reading plan 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.

When we accept Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit is our companion and it’s exciting to think about what the future holds. Last week, we celebrated the birthday of Jesus and now we will continue the celebration throughout upcoming year because of the gift God has given us.

With God, we can get through anything, we can patiently grind it out during difficulties or give Him credit when the impossible is made possible. Beyond that, we can celebrate because of the victory we will always have with Him.

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. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times
Image Source

Posted in Bible Study, Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Faith, God’s Plan, Good News, Holy Spirit, Hope, Leadership, Lessons, Love, Reflection, Scripture | Leave a comment

Faith Grows Greater

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Mark Shields

I’ve finished the book of Amos in my daily Bible study. This poem was inspired after the study of Amos 5-9.

Step Ahead

Take action right now
To seek what the Creator
Has in store for you
As faith grows greater.

Seek the Lord by reading;
Seek Him by daily learning;
Seek Him by applying the Word
So you become more discerning.

The Word will be a weapon
Like a shield and sword
Providing spiritual food
And your daily reward.

Always have a sure hope
Because of the promise.
Look to better days ahead
Never be a doubting Thomas.

Cheer up my friend
For a lofty palace is set aside
So step ahead this day
Following the perfect guide.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 10-13-2016
Image Source

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Posted in Poems | Tagged Bible Study, Faith, Hope | Leave a comment

Hope Remains Because He Reigns

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Mark Shields

God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. – 1 Corinthians 6:14

The vision written about in the post “Life Has Strains but Hope Remains”, reminds us that there is always hope because Christ brings changes in life. Just like Israel that was destroyed and then transformed, there is a redemptive purpose in God’s judgment that changes the future for the better.

Even in hard times, hope remains because He reigns and we can have joy because of the inspiration we gain in the events around Easter. Throughout life, there will be difficulty but hope remains in front of us just as in this video: Hope in Front of Me – Danny Gokey and we will come out stronger on the other side.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Hope | Tagged Change, Creator, Difficulties, Dreams, Future, Hope, Inspiration, Joy, Life, Strength, Vision | Leave a comment

Life Has Strains but Hope Always Remains

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Mark Shields

The vision in Amos 9 reveals that the judgment of God reaches all places in the universe; from the depths of the ocean to the heavens above. It reaches the high places in the mountains and the low places beneath the ground to destroy the sinful kingdom from the face of the earth.

As in today’s passage, life has strains but hope always remains. After the vision of judgment comes to fruition, the repair will begin as God’s people will be brought back from exile to rebuild the cities and harvest their land.

Today’s passage should inspire us to always have hope even in difficulties for God has promised better days ahead. So let us cheer up – the Creator will help us step ahead. Even beyond life on earth, He has a lofty palace reserved for us.

This day with You Lord will be amazing because You will take our hopes and dreams to a new level that we could have never ever imagined. Even in the dark days of difficulty that we face from time to time, Your light will illuminate the path for us to follow.

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Posted in Bible Study, Hope | Tagged Creator, Difficulties, Dreams, Hope, Vision | 2 Comments

Renewed Day by Day

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Mark Shields

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

In the post “Reward for the Soul”, the rich and powerful had oppressed the poor and there was idol worship throughout the land. The time had come for God’s judgment. Just like in the times of Amos, people today look for answers to life’s problems in the wrong places.

As the main point in this song: First – Lauren Daigle, the solution to our challenges each day can be found by seeking God first before anything else. Enjoy today’s inspiring music and have a blessed day?