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

Assurance Gives Endurance

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Mark Shields

As explained in reading Hosea 11-12, the people responded to God’s love and kindness not by going more to Him but away from Him. Instead of gaining assurance from His love to endure difficulty, they sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images (v. 2). The people continued to go their own way and did not respond by repenting or learning from their experiences.

Our situations are small compared to how big God is and this assurance gives endurance to take on the challenges of our world. Today, we spend a lot of time trying to fix things going wrong with our smart phone, high definition TV, computer, and printers. Technology has made the world a very complicated place in which it takes a team of experts to figure out how to fix our issues.

I remember one time my printer was not printing. Everything was coming out as blank pages. For some reason, it would print in all colors except black. I couldn’t figure it out so I ask for help. In some ways, that’s what God is telling us in this passage. We should let our pride aside, confess our lack of understanding, and receive the help.

This day with You Lord, we take courage. You teach us through lessons and kindly provide for our needs. Lord, we pray that we work with you in faith, wait for You in hope, and fulfill our purpose with a passion. Amen.

Image Source

Posted in Bible Study, Courage | Tagged Assurance, Courage, Difficulty, Endurance, Faith, Hope, Love, Prayer, Purpose | Leave a comment

Grace Wins Every Time

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Mark Shields

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. – Colossians 1:13-14

Many people, organizations, and nations have great potential but one issue can get them off track. In the post “Step Ahead with Confidence”, written were some thoughts from the study of Hosea 10 and how Israel got off track with negative reactions to certain challenges. It is the same with us in our life today as we react to issues. What we have to do is keep working to stay on track.

With good habits, we can step ahead and maximize the potential God has given us. The Bible gives us great advice and we can have confidence because victory is assured through Jesus Christ. We can let the past go and know the future is bright because grace wins every time. Take inspiration from today’s video: Grace Wins – Matthew West.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals | Tagged Blessings, Confidence, Faith, Grace, Savior, Soul, spirituality, Worship | 1 Comment

Step Ahead with Confidence

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Mark Shields

Reading in Hosea 10, Israel became prosperous under King Jeroboam but their reaction to this prosperity was to spend money on altars for idol worship. They also reacted to other life conditions in a negative way rather than step ahead with confidence. They lost their king but reacted with apathy; they mourned because their worthless idols were destroyed, and they lost all hope for military strength because they knew that God was not with them.

Unlike Israel who did not repent and decided to use their prosperity to give more glory to their idols, let us admit our wrongdoing and work at creating a trusting relationship with our Lord by using our blessings to glorify Him. We are never 100% prepared for everything in life but we can step ahead with confidence because of our faith in God who can pull us through.

Lord, this day help us to use Your blessings to glorify You and not to buy bigger houses, nicer cars, and expensive clothes. Let us humbly accept Christ as Savior and plant the seeds of Your principles into our soul. Let us use Your resources and just as rain along with sunshine produces food for our bodies, may your Holy Spirit produce spiritual fruit for our souls so we can share with others. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study | Tagged Blessings, Confidence, Faith, Savior, Soul, spirituality, Worship | Leave a comment

Healing

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Mark Shields

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3

As shared in the post “Need for Great Physician”, sin created a serious condition for Israel. The quality of life would be in terrible shape with unclean food, children having difficulties, and insecurity.

But there is always hope because of the great gift we have in Jesus. God has provided the Great Physician who has the cure and His Word provides the nourishment needed. Step into the light of grace and enjoy today’s video: Tell Your Heart to Beat Again – Danny Gokey.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Physical and Mental Health | Tagged Cure, Faith, Gift, Grace, Health, Hope, Jesus, Physician, Prayer | Leave a comment

Need For Great Physician

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Mark Shields

A society that rejects God, faces serious issues where the quality of life goes in a negative direction. In today’s passage, we are told of the crops failing and that Israel would be taken captive by neighboring nations.

God wanted to bless Israel but as explained in Hosea 9, the people moved away from His way; worshiping idols instead. The future would not be a good one because God’s judgment would bring sickness, drought, and homelessness.

Image Source

This day with You Lord, we are grateful for the gift of Your Son who wipes away sin. The world faces much difficulty just like Israel faced during the time of Hosea. Insecurity and difficulties persist but with Christ we have hope. You are the Great Physician that provides the cure. Amen.