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

Knowing Our Express Purpose

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Mark Shields

We learn what kind of person Festus is in Acts 25:1-22. He is a new governor and a much stronger governor than Felix who had been sent back to Rome because of the poor way in which he had handled Jewish issues in the past. Like Felix, Festus also wished to do the Jews a favor (v. 9).

The Jewish leaders wanted Paul transferred to Jerusalem so they could kill him along the way but God was watching over Paul and the way Paul handled himself before the Roman authorities influenced them to not give in to the Jewish leaders request to transfer Paul.

Paul knew that his express purpose was to carry the name of Christ before the Gentiles, their kings, and the people of Israel. There was pressure to stand up to and overcome the obstacles he faced as he set out to achieve this purpose.

This day with You God, life can be stressful for those making a stand for You. Help us to continue to know what is most important; spreading the Good News even when we daily face those that want to stop us. Give us insight and the plans needed to make a difference in a world that pushes more and more secular thought. In Jesus Name. Amen.

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Joy Destroys any Ploy

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Mark Shields

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. – James 1:2-4

Alone, we are like one drop of water but together we make an ocean. In the post “Persistence Overcomes Resistance”, we get the account of Paul spending two years in prison for simply being a Christian. Paul and many early Christians went through many hardships as they laid out the foundation for Christianity; a foundation that has proven can withstand extreme opposition.

Next time your day is filled with some resistance, smile at it, say thank You God, and keep going. Like a stream of water, persistence will eventually cut into a rock and if we remain persistent at focusing on the possibilities God gives us, we can cut into and go through any obstacle in our way.

Take inspiration from this song knowing that together, we can press on with confidence that our joy destroys any ploy: Press On – Building 429.

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Posted in Devotionals | Tagged Christianity, Faith, Joy, Obstacles, Patience, Persistence | Leave a comment

Persistence Overcomes Resistance

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Mark Shields

Paul’s life was in jeopardy but was taken to Governor Felix who ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s palace. As laid out in today’s passage Acts 24:1-27, Paul is accused by the Jewish leaders of being a troublemaker by stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He was also accused of being the ring leader of what they called the Nazarene sect and attempting to profane the temple.

Paul’s defense was that the charges against him were totally false. His first point was that he had only been in Jerusalem for a few weeks and that there was no way anyone could prove the charges against him (v. 13). The only charges against him that he did confess to was the charge of belonging to the Way which the Jewish leaders said was a sect. But Paul explained that he was simply teaching faith in Christ Jesus or the Way and he was not stirring up any trouble.

In my opinion, the problem is that Paul’s enemies were the real troublemakers. The Jewish leaders felt threatened by Paul because what he was saying made a lot of sense and the Jewish leaders thought this could put their power in jeopardy.

Paul and many early Christians went through many hardships as they laid the foundation for what we know today as Christianity. They set a foundation on which has been built a great movement that has withstood extreme opposition. Fortunately, the Lord has fought the battles and He is big enough to handle any future obstacles in the way.

This day with You Lord will be amazing because of our faith in the possibilities You give. Just like Paul who was innocent but in prison for two years, being persistent will help us overcome the obstacles we face in life. Like a stream of water, persistence will eventually cut into a rock and if we remain persistent at focusing on the possibilities You give, we can cut into and go through any obstacle in our way.

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The Week Ahead

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Mark Shields

This week, we will be sharing some thoughts from the study of Acts 24 and 25.

Below are some questions for reflection:
Acts 24:1-27
What kind of person is Festus? What type of influence is Paul having on authorities? Can you think of instances in present times when people have been falsely accused because of their stand for the Lord?

Acts 25:1-22
What kind of person is Festus? What type of influence is Paul having on authorities? Can you think of instances in present times when people have been falsely accused because of their stand for the Lord?

Believe that God has a great plan for you.
It all starts with receiving a plan from God through faithful, consistent, and powerful prayer. Here is a video/poem to inspire you this day and throughout the week: This Day with God.