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

Adding Quality to Faith

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Mark Shields

Jesus talks about adding quality to faith and the power of faith when he says in Luke 17:6, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea, ‘and it will obey you.”

A mustard seed is very small but grows into a large plant. Faith is the same. Sharing about faith gives a great purpose because what we share today may pull someone through to meet the challenges of tomorrow and step ahead throughout the week.

God knows what He is doing and we can trust Him just like this video highlights: He is With US – Love & The Outcome.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. – Colossians 2:6-7

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Posted in Devotionals, Faith, Music, Video | Tagged Accountability, Faith, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Hope, Jesus, Praise, Reward, Soul, Thankfulness, Trust, Video | 1 Comment

The Truths Taught By Jesus

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Mark Shields

Jesus emphasizes sin, forgiveness, faith, and thankfulness in Luke 17:1-19. Two truths are explained concerning sin and responsibility for sin. Do not cause others to sin by tempting them to follow the wrong path. Instead, hold each other accountable to routine duties in life but forgive each other if there are missteps along the way.

The apostles wanted their faith increased and Jesus told them that faith as small as a mustard seed has the power to tell a mulberry tree “Be uprooted and planted in the sea” and it will obey (v. 6). To build up our faith, we can plant seeds of God’s principles into our soul. We can watch these principles grow in the garden of our soul; producing food for ourselves and others to be nourished.

Jesus explains the right attitude toward service. One should never complain about the work but humbly do what we are told to do with hope for a reward always pushing us forward. Each day we can wake up and dream and believe because God can make everything better if we continue to have a deep abiding trust in Him.

Reading further, we get a lesson on being thankful when Jesus sees ten lepers on His way to Jerusalem and tells them to go present themselves to a priest who would declare them clean. When each turned to obey, they were healed. Only one of them returned back to Jesus to offer thanks.

This Day with You Lord, we are grateful for Your blessings and this gratitude will be with us throughout the day. We may face some difficult times but right now we give You praise. We praise You for Your wonders and for Your promises for our future. Amen.

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Posted in Bible Study, Faith | Tagged Accountability, Faith, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Hope, Jesus, Praise, Reward, Soul, Thankfulness, Trust | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Luke 17-18

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been sharing some thoughts from the study of the book of Luke chapters 14-16. Jesus teaches us some great lessons about how we should live. One major lesson is that we should include everyone to feast in the kingdom of God. Some may let us down but others may surprise us and come.

There is a price for being a follower of Jesus but the key is to determine if we are willing to pay the price by living according to the Bible and staying focused on the ultimate victory of eternal life. We may face criticism just as Jesus who was criticized by the Jewish leaders called the Pharisees but crowds continued to follow Jesus as He taught about life with the use of parables.

Written about in the post Celebrate When the Lost are Found are three parables told by Jesus in Luke 15. In each parable, there is a celebration when the lost are found. There is a difference between daily victories and new victories. Celebrate outwardly when there have been those who have been saved which are the new victories. For those that have already been saved, the reward is a daily inner celebration of the soul.

When we serve God, the emphasis is not so much on short term gain but on doing the right things that result in long term success. There are right attitudes, motives, and actions to take. If we are focused on serving Him only; to being a good steward for what He gives and look forward to the time we get to spend with Him each day, then we have a tendency to think things through and make better decisions.

The lessons learned over the last few weeks from the life of Christ never change and are applicable today just as they were during the time He walked in the flesh on earth. The way to victory is to accept Jesus as Savior; to be connected to and internalize the guiding principles He taught. Then noticing those in need; being the hands and feet of God to assist with their needs.

Over the next few weeks, we will continue to share about thoughts or ideas for connecting to and internalizing these guiding principles taught by Christ. I’ll be continuing the study in the book of Luke and sharing over the next few weeks.

Each of the studies are designed to help apply our faith in the work place, at school, or at home. You can keep up with my spiritual journey by clicking http://wp.me/1ar6D. As the journey through God’s Word continues, below are questions for reflection for the study of Luke 17-18 which will help focus some thoughts to share in posts over the next few weeks.

Luke 17:1-19
What two truths does Jesus emphasize concerning sin and responsibility for sin? What are you doing about the quality of your faith (See the characteristics of a mustard seed in 13:18-19)? As a servant what is the right attitude to service and its rewards? How will you show your gratitude to God today?

Luke 17:20-37
In what ways does the Messiah’s kingdom differ from Jewish expectations? What principles do Noah (See Gen. 6:11-22) and Lot (See Gen. 19:12-26) exemplify? If the Lord returned today, would you be ready or do you have things you would like to do first?

Luke 18:1-8
How should we act when the coming of the Lord seems delayed? What is the one lesson the story about this judge teaches about God? Do you think it is easy for the Widow to keep coming to the judge? From verses 7-8, what do you learn about God’s timing? Can you maintain faith over the long haul?

Luke 18:9-17
How is the Pharisee’s view of himself and others related? Different? How can you humble yourself rightly? In what other ways can you receive the kingdom of God as a child?

Luke 18:18-30
What point is Jesus making clear by questioning the ruler’s use of good in his address? Why, do you think, is it so hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God? Imagine the feelings which prompt the question in verse 26. What are your motives in following Christ? Is there anything in your life that is keeping you from coming to the Lord and serving Him?

Luke 18:31-43
What additional facts does Jesus now give the disciples about his future (See Luke 9:22, 44)? In verse 41, Jesus ask the blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” Why, do you think, does Jesus ask such an obvious question? For what kind of happenings do you give praise to God?

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. 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
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Posted in Bible Study, Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible Study, Celebration, Christ, Decisions, Encouragement, God’s Plan, God’s Word, Holy Spirit, Inspiration, Jesus, Leadership, Lessons, Parables, Prayer, Reflection, Reward, Scripture, victory | Leave a comment

Focus on the Lessons Taught by Jesus

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Mark Shields

The lessons taught by Jesus never change and are applicable today just as they were during the time He walked in the flesh on earth. The way to get to heaven is to accept Jesus as Savior; to be connected to and internalize these guiding principles taught by Christ. Then noticing those in need; being the hands and feet of God to assist with their needs. Here’s a video that inspires these qualities: Fix My Eyes – King & Country.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrew 12:1-2

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Posted in Devotionals, Focus, Video | Tagged Eternal Life, Focus, Gospel, Heaven, Jesus, Lessons, Love, Neighbor, Savior | Leave a comment

Notice the Needs of Others

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Mark Shields

In the first part of Luke 16, Jesus explains that we should focus on serving God. The love of possessions will distract us from our love of God. The Pharisees regarded riches as the reward for abiding by God’s law. In Luke 16:14-31, Jesus explains that the gospel adds to the law and does not void it. Earlier in Luke 10, Jesus explained what must be done to inherit eternal life in Luke 10:27.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself

The Parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus highlights how important our attitudes and actions are during our life. The rich man lived in luxury but had no compassion for the beggar named Lazarus. The beggar longed to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table but was never noticed by the rich man.

The rich man had received good things during his lifetime but his sin was not what he did in life but that he didn’t do anything to help others and glorify God with his gifts. The result was agony in hell at his death. Lazarus suffered during his lifetime on earth but lived an eternal life of comfort in heaven.

This day with You Lord, help us to notice the needs of others around us. Help us to be serious about our attitudes and actions; to listen to the lessons taught in the Gospel. The teachings of Jesus are the sure way to finish strong and win the gold medal of eternity. Help us to do what we can to share about the teachings of Jesus and the love He has for all people. Amen.

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