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

Amazing God

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Mark Shields

We learn a lesson of how nothing is impossible with God by reading His Word. Reading in Genesis 18, Sarah was up in age but would have a child. There is always hope when God is in the driver’s seat and we are doing what is right.

I enjoy writing inspirational poems and my hope is that this one will set the tone for a blessed day. With poetry, thoughts can be narrowed down with just a few written lines and this aids in transferring inspiration from the mind to the heart so they are applied in our actions.

Step Ahead

We seek new heights
And continue the climb.
The impossible becomes possible
One day at a time.

Our great faith
Makes all things workable
With our Creator
Who is always is personal.

We intercede for others;
He listens to our prayers;
As we lift up concerns;
As we lift up our cares.

All things are possible
For the Creator of everything.
There is always hope
In what He may bring.

God pulls us through
And everything is okay.
As faith gained on Sunday
Helps us on Monday.

When God is in the driver’s seat
And we are doing what we should,
The path is made clear,
The mission understood.

From the highest peaks
To the lowest valleys,
He is with us
Providing our rallies.

He is unchangeable
But brings us new things
And a new beautiful day
To hear the birds sing.

By Mark Shields – © 06-18-2015
Inspired by…

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Posted in Devotionals, Poems | Tagged Angels, Direction, Faith, God, Inspiration, Possibilities, Prayer | Leave a comment

Jacob had lived a broken life. A good part of it, he thought his son Joseph had been killed by wild animals. Later in life, he found out that Joseph was alive. He was then reunited with him in Egypt for seventeen years. At an old age when he was feeling ill and worn out, he rallies his strength as Joseph and his sons come to see him. You can read more at this post Rally Strength with Spiritual Food for the Soul.

It’s important to pass on our spiritual treasure. This day with God, let us reflect back on memories and share our wisdom. Share about stories of how God has been with you. Bless future generations with the inspirational message that redemption wins. Here’s today’s video with these ideas in mind: Worn – Tenth Avenue North.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us. – Ephesians 1:7

Index of devotionals

Posted in Genesis, Health, Music, Video | Tagged Blessing, Future, God, Grace, Hope, Joy, Memories, Music, Obedience, Peace, Purpose, Redemption, Soul, Trust, victory, Video | 2 Comments

Rally Strength with Spiritual Food for the Soul

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Mark Shields

In Genesis 48, Jacob became ill so Joseph took his two sons to see his father. While there, Jacob rallies his strength to bless his grandchildren Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob talks about his life; summing it up as one in which he wanted to let God guide him and be a blessing to others. He is now looking back on his life and sees how God was always with him and also looking forward; desiring to pass on this guidance from God to future generations.

Jacob looks at his present circumstances – politically, socially, and personally in light of God’s announced plans. Many times, God’s plans are not always what is expected. His ways are superior to our ways. He works in unconventional ways at times so when we notice someone doing something a little different, let us not always think we have to change them. They may be the way they are for a reason. They may be that way in order to fulfill one of God’s great purposes.

So, what we learn about God in today’s passage is that His plans do not always line up with our plans. In looking back on my own life, my mom struggled to fight cancer nine years ago. What gave her hope and a desire to defeat the disease was to see her grandchildren grow into adulthood; to attend their graduations, their marriages and even perhaps be there at the birth of their children. As with my mom who lost her struggle with the disease, many things in life do not turn out like we wished but we must maintain the thought that God’s plans are far superior to our own.

This day with God, let us trust and obey. His Word will provide food for the mind and His Son will provide light for our understanding. Sometimes it rains on our dreams but then He provides music for our ears, laughter for our souls, and a rainbow after the storm. So let Him take us away on this beautiful day. Let us create and store up great memories that last forever to help in times of worry or anger. Let us reminisce about good times or an old song that fills our thoughts with peace and joy.

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Posted in Genesis, Health | Tagged Blessing, Future, God, Hope, Joy, Memories, Obedience, Peace, Purpose, Trust | 1 Comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Genesis 48-50

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Mark Shields

Some thoughts shared recently as I journeyed through Genesis 45-47 were about the forgiveness of Joseph as he reveals his identity to his brothers. They had been jealous of him when they were young after Joseph told them the dream he had about them bowing before him one day.

As I read in Genesis 45, I recorded that the dream becomes reality as Joseph became very powerful in Egypt. His ability to interpret dreams helped him progress from slave to second-in-command in Egypt. Then, a great famine comes across that part of the world and Joseph wanted to reconcile with his brothers.

He forgave them and believed it was by God’s design that they sold him into slavery. He wanted their families to live nearby so they would receive the best within the land during the time of famine. They eventually were allowed to settle in the land called Goshen; the most fertile area of Egypt. There, they could raise their livestock.

So Joseph changed from being an arrogant brother into a humble servant and then a loving brother willing to forgive with so much love for his father. He had become second-in-command in all of Egypt and in a position to help his family survive a famine that was sweeping through the land.

As manager, Joseph made Pharaoh extremely wealthy. Since he planned for the famine and stored up food, the people had to sell their land and a fifth of the produce in the future in order to purchase the food they needed to survive. Pharaoh became owner of all the land except the land of the priests.

Like Joseph, we can use our strengths in our vocation and everyday duties. We can go to God in prayer, receive the directions we need, and carry them out. Each day with God, we can put Him in control. There is strength in His promise of an eternal future with Him in paradise. Our greatest strength is in being who we are; a precious child of God and because of this, we have unlimited potential. God can use each of us to fulfill this potential.

Faith is all about study, prayer and listening to God in order to follow His will. As a person spends time with God, changes for the better do occur. With this in mind, I will continue my journey through the Word of God and seek to discover ways to apply His Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods.

The below questions for reflection for the upcoming study are laid out below to help bring out some thoughts and ideas to share with you over the next few posts.

Genesis 48
How does Jacob sum up his life here? What is his perspective in this situation? To what extent do you look for God’s further deliverance? What do you learn about God here?

Genesis 49
On what basis does Jacob predict the future of his sons? What would you like to be remembered for? What will the heavenly Father be able to say concerning your life?

Genesis 50
What are Joseph’s relations with Pharaoh? Summarize Joseph’s influence on the people of Egypt, the surrounding land, and his own family. In what ways are you influencing those around you?

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.

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, Devotionals, Genesis, Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Christ, Community, Dreams, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, Future, Genesis, God, Humility, Joseph, Life, Nation, Prayer, Priorities, Reflection, Spiritual Growth, victory | Leave a comment

Listening for Direction

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Mark Shields

God knows who we really are and the strengths we bring to the world so listen to the Words of God for direction. If we give it all to God, He will provide for all we need. As we turn to God this day, take in the inspirational qualities of this video: Hosanna – Paul Baloche.