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

Square with God’s Way

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Mark Shields

Reading in Amos 7, there are three visions given to Amos in order to warn God’s people of impending judgment. The first vision is the Lord preparing swarms of locusts that would destroy their crops. Then there was a vision of the Lord’s judgment by fire and the land drying up. The third vision was the Lord standing near a wall with a plumb line in His hand. A plumb line is use by carpenters to make sure the walls are lined up and square so this vision explained that Israel’s conduct did not “square” with God’s way.

Even though Amos had compassion and pleaded with God to not bring down His judgment upon the people, his warnings were not accepted by the priest named Amaziah who went against Amos. He even sent a message to the king of Israel named Jeroboam that Amos was raising a conspiracy against the king and the nation of Israel (v. 10). Amaziah told Amos to leave the country and go back to Judah.

As we go through life, it’s not always clear who we should listen to. So many people call themselves experts in certain fields but many times they seem to be wrong. The thing to keep in mind is that God has your best interest in mind. Many times, the expert telling us what to do has a personal agenda and does not have our best interest in mind.

I submit that God has our best interest and the way to evaluate our life is to use a tool. It’s like a “plumb line” so that we are “square” with God’s way. This tool to use is His Word with its principles and commands.

Lord, we are thankful for your Word that keeps us square with your Way. By following Your Word, our days are amazing but without You and and Your word, our life is a mess. There is a beautiful and refreshing simplicity from the Gospel message that sets us free and never lets us down. Lord, our growing faith will never be taken away or depleted and our hope for the future is bright because we are square with Your Way. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Image Source

Posted in Bible Study | Tagged Faith, Freedom, God’s Word, Gospel, Hope, Life, Visions | Leave a comment

There is a Process that does Bless

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Mark Shields

Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. – Hebrews 4:16

Many times throughout the history of mankind, nations have gone astray. Such is the case as written about in the post “Actions to Take Now for the Good Life”. Amos was telling the people that there is a process that does bless God’s people; a way to change course away from their sins which included the oppression of the innocent, taking bribes, depriving the poor of justice, and idol worship to mention just a few.

Here we are in current times and the warning from Amos continues to apply in the present. Many nations throughout the world do not seek the Lord first. Even the United States of America in which the motto is “One Nation Under God” has lost their way as leaders no longer put an emphasis on integrity and upholding justice.

Albert Einstein once said “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning”. We must continue to question: What does God want in the lives of His people? How can each individual take action now to seek what God has for them?

Learning is a life-long process so let us take every opportunity to ask questions, seek answers, and share with others. God wants His people to seek every good thing and glorify His name. Let us begin at this moment to give praise to the ONE who made this amazing universe as we are inspired by this video: Lifesong – Casting Crowns.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Video | Tagged Bible Study, Grace, History, Humility, Initiative, Life, Music, Praise, Prayer, Soul, Video | Leave a comment

Actions to Take Now for the Good Life

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Mark Shields

There are two manifestations of God’s nature described in Amos 5-6. The first is the nature of judgment and destruction. The second is the nature of justice and providing instructions for the way to a good life. Also within today’s passage are a list of Israel’s sins; a few include the oppression of the innocent, taking bribes, depriving the poor of justice, and idol worship.

We are told in this passage that what God wants in the lives of His people are just the opposite from what they were doing! The phrase “Seek the Lord and live” is repeated in the passage. He wants His people to have integrity and uphold justice. He wants His people to seek every good thing and glorify His name.

The actions we can take now may include giving praise to the ONE who made this amazing universe; seeking Him by reading, studying, and applying the Word so that good is in our heart and soul. Then we can use this good as a shield that blocks out evil and lets in His light of goodness. Learning is a life-long process so take every opportunity to ask questions, seek answers, and share with others.

We can get ready for the challenge of each day by going to the ONE who created it all and passionately stirring each other up to boldly step ahead. This day with You Lord, we humbly seek You by reading, studying, and applying Your instruction in how to live. Your Word is good for our heart and soul; useful to block out any negatives in our life but allowing Your light to shine within to foster a healthy soul. In Jesus name. Amen.

Image Source

Posted in Bible Study, Initiative | Tagged Bible Study, Humility, Initiative, Life, Praise, Prayer, Soul | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Amos 5-9

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Mark Shields

I’ve posted over the last few weeks about the study of Amos 1-4. The poem below titled The ONE to Look To was inspired by this study.

The world can be a difficult place
But we all can win the race
If we turn to the Lord
And get on board.

Acknowledge He paid the price;
Then pray for His solid advice;
Accumulate knowledge from His Word
And the future will no longer be blurred.

The path to the future is unimpeded
If we confidently do what is needed;
Constantly being filled with elation
And built on a firm foundation.

Study the Holy Scripture
And get a clearer picture
By always being steadfast
To learning lessons of the past.

Because of Jesus there is grace
To help us keep up the pace.
Our sins are cleaned as with soap
So our future is full of hope.

Gaining wisdom on a daily basis
To meet the challenges that face us.
Living the way life is meant
By following the ONE God has sent.

Our growing faith will never be taken away
So we are confident things will be okay
For the Gospel message is beautiful,
Refreshing, simple, and useful.

The Gospel message sets us free
And as each day we get on our knees
We are thankful to receive the crown
For the message will never let us down.

The plan God has laid out for us
By accepting His Son is thus
The only path to sure victory;
Everything else is contradictory.

So listen and know His plan;
Making adjustments if you can.
Taking action on doing the right thing;
Knowing that He is King.

With God there is power
And no reason to cower
So plan out the right things
And soar on eagles’ wings.

Everything will fall in place
For an amazing day full of His grace
If we desire to daily return to the ONE
And focus on what He’s already done.

The ONE who formed the mountains;
Creator of the inspiring surroundings
Continues to reveal His designs
And how to live by His guidelines.

So make sure you feel empowered;
Uplifted and daily inspired.
Focused on going the Way
That He directs to go today.

Embrace the power of the Holy Spirit
To take on a challenge and smear it.
Making what seems impossible … possible
By being dependable and methodical.

Be willing to accept His correction
By asking in prayer for direction
And when making a list of what to do,
Know the Lord is the ONE to look to.

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 Amos 5-9 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.

Amos 5-6
What will be the consequences of Israel’s sins (See 5:16, 27; 6:7)? What does God want in the lives of His people? How can you take action now to seek what God has for you?

Amos 7
What three visions are given to Amos in verses 1-9? Whom do you usually heed – God’s message and messenger or accepted experts? As a follower of Jesus Christ, do you have a tool like a plumb line in which you can evaluate your life?

Amos 8
What does the vision of summer fruit illustrate? Is the word of God daily food to your life? How has the study of Amos nourished your soul?

Amos 9
What does the vision reveal about the judgment of God? What will happen after the forthcoming judgment (vv. 11-15)? What is your hope beyond the destructions of this life?

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, Freedom, God’s Plan, Good News, Grace, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspiration, Leadership, Lessons, Love, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture, victory | Leave a comment

Smoothing Out the Bumpy Road of the Journey

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Mark Shields

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? – Proverbs 20:24

The journey of life without God can prove to be one big bumpy road. That’s why we should all have a passion to return to the ONE who has formed the mountains, created the wind, and reveals His thoughts to us daily. Then the bumps along the journey will not be as troublesome.

In the post “The Way to Assuring a Great Day” are some thoughts/ideas on what can be done to live the way God advises in His Word. Here is a video poem that I produced with these thoughts in mind: This Day with God.