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

Vision to Make Decisions

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Mark Shields

After Jesus left the disciples, they returned to Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 1:12-26 , where they organized their ministry. The disciples along with about 120 followers including the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus’ brothers all joined together constantly in prayer (v. 14).

Peter declared that another apostle would need to be chosen because the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those that arrested Jesus (v. 16). In organizing their ministry, we can see that they used scripture, prayer, and providence in making decisions.

Like the disciples, let us make today’s decisions by first going to scripture and then praying. Let us discern God’s will and receive divine guidance like the disciples did in selecting Matthias as the newest apostle. For prayer is our greatest power because we are speaking to the ONE with the answers

This day with You Lord, we pray for the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance. Help us to be your witnesses in our homes, places of work, and in our neighborhoods. Lord, there were only 120 followers in the beginning of Christianity as we read in today’s passage. Eventually these 120 changed the course of history forever. Like these first followers, help us to unify and continue in this growth process so that your Way is spread throughout the communities in which we live. We pray this in Jesus Name. Amen!

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Posted in Accurate Thinking, Bible Study | Tagged Community, Decisions, Guidance, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Ministry, Prayer, Scripture, Unity | 3 Comments

New Year Video Poem

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Mark Shields

Happy New Year! Step Ahead each day with confidence because of God’s presence.

Step Ahead

I’ve been working to develop a video of a poem I wrote a while back. It’s a poem to inspire you towards getting off to a great start for each day in this New Year.

The reason for the video is to spur you on in your faith journey this New Year. To give you affirmation in your thoughts each day that God has a great plan for you. It all starts with receiving a plan from Him through faithful, consistent, and powerful prayer.

Make a resolution to view the video each morning for the next seven days in this New Year. Here is a link to the video: This Day with God.

Set up the link as a favorite in your web browser. As you reflect back on each day, note situations when you felt the Holy Spirit was with you and feel free to share in the…

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Posted in Devotionals, New Year | Tagged Affirmation, Faith, Holy Spirit, Inspiration, New Year, New Year Resolution, Poetry, Prayer | Leave a comment

Sermon Thoughts

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Mark Shields

Presented last week at the church I worship at was the message “Grow … Up!” Here is a link to the podcast which is live at 9:30 central time each Sunday morning or viewable at any time or place thereafter at this link: http://fumcwaco.sermon.net/main/main/20304944

As we step ahead into the New Year, it’s important to look back and determine what it is we did well for Christ last year and ask for direction in what to do for the upcoming year. Even Jesus, who lived a perfect life continued to grow in wisdom and devotion to God. We should strive to do the same by giving Him our praise, spending time in the study of His Word, sharing with others, and glorifying Him in all that we do.

This weekend and throughout the upcoming year, share with others some of the the great insights gained in sermons or Bible studies from your local community. Also, pass on great points made in a podcast, video, or article you come across.

Happy New Year!

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Posted in New Year, Sermon Thoughts | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Faith, Jesus, New Year, Podcast, Praise, Sermon | Leave a comment

Consistent Assistance

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Mark Shields

This day with God will be amazing as we put consistent assistance into practice just as explained in the post Discourse on the Divine Resource about the Holy Spirit; the divine resource of instruction and empowerment to assist in living a reinvigorated life of firm witness of Christ.

God will bless those who seek His advice and follow through on His guidance. They will be prepared, take action, and are assured of a bright future because the Holy Spirit will be there to assist at work, at home, and wherever they are.

Enjoy today’s inspiring video: As it is in Heaven – Matt Maher.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. – Romans 8:26-27

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Posted in Applied Faith, Devotionals, Faith, Music, Video | Tagged Advice, Cross, Divine, enthusiasm, Faith, Guidance, Holy Spirit, Jesus | 3 Comments

Discourse on the Divine Resource

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Mark Shields

Jesus gave prove that He had risen from death as explained in Acts 1:1-12 . For forty days after suffering on the cross, He appeared on earth to explain about the kingdom of God (v. 3). The disciples were concerned about the earthly kingdom but Jesus was trying to enlighten them to the spiritual kingdom.

Between the time of Christ’s ascension and return, God’s plan for our life is to spread the Good News of His Son around the world. The tool to help in this plan is the Holy Spirit which is a resource of instruction and empowerment to assist in living a reinvigorated life of firm witness of Christ.

Jesus gave His followers these instructions: stay in Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit (v. 5). This gift is a divine resource to empower as a witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (v. 8).

This day with You Lord, we are thankful for the opportunity to share the gospel and the power You have given in the Holy Spirit to assist in doing Your work. We are ready to use this power available to us and will enthusiastically take advantage of every opportunity to share as You work through us to spread the Good News. Amen!

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