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

Overflowing Love

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Mark Shields

Father God, You love people everywhere. You loved us so much that You sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Our mood is always lifted because of this love. We pray that this love from You overflows from our heart to those we meet. May we love like Jesus loves the church. Amen.

Reading today 2 John, truth and love should be related in our daily living so there is a balance between the two. The truth of God’s Word and obedience to the truth starts by following the commandment which is to walk in love.

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. – 2 John 6

On the other hand, warned in today’s passage is false teachers who deceive. Explained is that there should be no place for false teachers. We should never agree with those opposed to the truth. To reconcile our attitude with false teachers or cults and John’s reminder of love, we can seek to lead false teachers to the truth.

Many pursue dreams that deceive, as the world tends to mislead into materialism, power, and self-gain that last for the short term. There are trials to go through on this path with much pain and tribulation when we are deceived by the world. To handle the pain, many turn to drugs, alcohol, and go down the wrong path to despair.

Fortunately, the treasures of God’s Word provide a positive impact on our life now and into eternity. Accepting Jesus changes everything as the path of following Jesus leads one home again, the home that cares and shares God’s love.

Posted in Bible Study, Love | Tagged Bible Study, Deception, Love, Obedience, Photo, Prayer, Self-gain, Truth, Worship | 2 Comments

Thought From Devotional 02-28-2025

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Mark Shields

Highlighted in The Hour Has Come to Glorify His Son is that Jesus showed us how to be the perfect team member by sharing His power from Father God with us. All believers can stand together as team members, and nothing can defeat us because there is total victory over the evil one. This day, we are one in Christ Jesus and He is glorified as we walk the path side by side together.

Posted in Thoughts From Devotional | Tagged Cross, Devotional Thought, Mission, Photo, Prayer, Teamwork, Unity, victory | 1 Comment

Questions for Reflection of Second and Third John

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Mark Shields

The journey so far through the book of 1 John has given encouragement for the journey ahead that will now take us into the other letters of John for a while. We will continue to gain insight from God’s Word with the intent to apply our faith at work, at home, and in all we do.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable as I share about God’s Word. To share about 1 John, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior, we have taken the steps necessary to make each day amazing!

Questions for Reflection

2 John – How are truth and love related in your daily living? What characterizes the deceivers warned against in today’s passage? How can you reconcile the attitude toward deceiving with John’s reminder of love?

3 John – What characteristics make Gaius so well beloved? How might you describe Diotrephes and those who are like him in your neighborhood or at work? What seems to be at the heart of his dissension? What are specific ways you can be hospitable in your situation while following truth and love?

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 – A Spiritual Journey.

To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.

“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.

Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.

“Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Faith, God’s Plan, Holy Spirit, Hope, Leadership, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture | 1 Comment

Looking Back at 1 John 4-5 for Encouragement on the Journey Ahead

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Mark Shields

Being able to share some thoughts about my spiritual journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. For the last few weeks, the journey has taken me through 1 John 4-5. We live in a busy world with busy schedules, and it seems life is a series of challenges, presenting obstacles that often seem insurmountable. Yet, as believers, we find solace and empowerment in the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. This divine act has provided us with all we need to navigate the challenges of life with confidence and grace.

The key takeaway from 1 John 4:1-12 and shared in the post Making Decisions is that by submitting to God’s love and being well-acquainted with His Word or His Truth, we are given knowledge, understanding, and the help needed in making good decisions.

From Love Transends Space and Time, love is God’s most wonderful attribute that brings out the best in us as we are unified around faith and community. The source of this love is from God through Jesus who bled, hung, and died on the cross. The effects of love in our life are obedience, care for others, courage, and confidence.

A thought from The Future is Bright for Those Who See the Light is that big opportunities are right before us so let’s enter each day knowing we are growing our faith and believing all things are possible. Because there is power in prayer, we can draw closer to the divine and unlock the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

Reading in 1 John 5:13-21 and brought out in No Need to Bury Rewards is that with faith, we can appreciate what we have each day and look forward to rewarding days ahead. In God’s presence, there is confidence that everything will work out for the best. There is nothing to worry about because we can lay our burdens down at His feet. Live for today and feel free to praise Him in His awesome wonder.

The love displayed on the cross changes everything. It is through this ultimate sacrifice that we receive boldness, courage, and strength to take on each challenge of each day. Jesus’ act of selflessness instills in us the confidence to pursue our dreams, confront our fears, and embrace the future with optimism.

If you have not done so yet, click the follow button to be notified of future post. Next, the Journey through the Bible will continue into the other letters of John.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Journey | Tagged Bible Study, Career, Community, Faith, Family, Hope, Journey, Lessons, Life, Love, Prayer, Purpose, spirituality, Values, victory, Wisdom, Worship | 1 Comment

Worthy Of Praise

Posted on February 25, 2025 by Mark Shields

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him. – 1 John 5:14-15

Brought out in “No Need to Bury Rewards” is that with faith, we can appreciate what we have each day and look forward to rewarding days ahead. In God’s presence there is confidence everything will work out for the best. There is nothing to worry about because we can lay our burdens down at His feet; live for today and feel free to praise Him in His awesome wonder.

Sing to the King O Praise Him by David Crowder Band for He is worthy of praise.