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

Look Forward To Time Spent With Him

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Mark Shields

From the depression of the 1930’s and to a smaller degree with the stock market crash in 2008, there is a lesson to be learned. Bad loans build up a bubble that eventually will burst. As written about in the post Heaven’s Riches Are Far More Valuable Than Earthly Wealth, a manager was accused of wasting a rich man’s possessions. We are not told what possessions the manager was wasting but we have to speculate that the manger’s greed caused him to take risk with the rich man’s money.

It could also have been that he just couldn’t say “no” to those who bought things from his master on loan without the ability to pay back the loan. We see the same things happening with many money managers of today. There is this push to sale things or give out loans to people that can’t pay it off.

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.

I found this video that inspires this desire to hear God’s voice and help make good decisions: Word of God Speak – MercyMe. As we go to God each day in prayer, it’s important to listen for the instructions and take the proper steps.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5

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Posted in Devotionals, Good Common Sense, Music, Video | Tagged Attitudes, Creativity, Decisions, Disciples, Faith, Good Common Sense, Gospel, Jesus, Job, Loans, Money, Motives, Opportunity, Parable, Planning, Skills, Success, Talents, Time, Wealth | Leave a comment

Heaven’s Riches Are Far More Valuable Than Earthly Wealth

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Mark Shields

Jesus addresses the disciples in Luke 16:1-13 and the Pharisees overhear as Jesus tells the parable of the Shrewd Manager. A manager is accused of wasting the possessions of a rich man by being lax in collecting what is due from those who had done business with the rich man. The rich man then tells the manager that he no longer has a job. Knowing that his job was lost, the manager begins to collect the debt by offering deals with those who owed money. He offered to cut the debt owed if the debtors would go ahead and pay off their debt. The thinking was that he would gain friends who would help meet his needs once he lost his job.

The rich man commends the manager for planning out how to take care of himself in the future by gaining friends and creating opportunity. The manager may be known as the first debt consolidation manager of his time. Although not the most ethical act, he did show that he could plan, he showed that he could be creative, and he used his skills to provide for his future needs.

As we plan out our future, it would be wise to plan out how best to use the money, time, and talents God has given us. Keep in mind that heaven’s riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. Put God as number one so that He is the Master and not your money. Love God more than things and ease your load by having God take care of the baggage.

This day with God will be amazing because our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. Some might have all they need in this world but not be happy; constantly dreaming of better days ahead. The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never let us down. There is no need to try to escape this world because what we look forward to is to be in the Master’s presence.

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Posted in Bible Study, Good Common Sense, Luke | Tagged Creativity, Disciples, Faith, Good Common Sense, Gospel, Jesus, Job, Money, Opportunity, Parable, Planning, Skills, Talents, Time | Leave a comment

Sing for the Glory of the Risen King

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Mark Shields

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 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.

Today’s video for worship and praise is Mighty to Save by Hillsong. Have a wonderful day with God!

In a loud voice they sang: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. – Revelation 5:12

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Posted in Devotionals, Enthusiasm, Music, Video | Tagged Celebration, enthusiasm, Jesus, Joy, Parables, Reward, Savior, Soul, Teacher, victory | Leave a comment

Celebrate When the Lost are Found

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Mark Shields

Crowds were drawn to Jesus to hear Him teach but the Pharisees were criticizing Jesus as recorded in Luke 15 because He reached out to sinners and tax collectors. Jesus then uses three parables to address their concerns. The unifying theme of the parables is to celebrate when the lost are found. Jesus tells them that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent (v. 7).

The first is the Parable of the Lost Sheep. A shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to look for the lost one and when found, there is so much joy that friends and neighbors are called together to celebrate.

The second is the Parable of The Lost Coin. A woman loses a coin at her home and searches carefully until she finds it. When she finally finds it, again there is a celebration with friends and neighbors.

The third is the Parable of the Lost Son. The youngest son of a wealthy man couldn’t wait for his part of the inheritance and demands to receive his part immediately. The son makes unwise choices and squanders the entire inheritance in reckless living. He finally comes to his senses and returns home thinking he would work for his father but when his father sees him coming home, he starts planning a feast to celebrate.

This day with God, let’s see value in everyone and search for the lost to bring them home. Lord, we pray for the right attitude in our heart; that we see value in all people and want to help all to accept Your Son as Savior. When this happens Lord, we look forward to rejoicing and celebrating the victory.

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Posted in Bible Study, Enthusiasm, Luke | Tagged Celebration, enthusiasm, Jesus, Joy, Parables, Savior, Teacher, victory | Leave a comment

Connection for Direction

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Mark Shields

In reading and studying Genesis 24 a while back, Abraham gave his servant a mission; to find a wife for his son Isaac. The servant had faith that God would make his mission a success. He prays that certain things would happen and when they did, he was confident that the will of God had been carried out.

This day with God, let us humbly admit that we may be lacking in some areas of life but at the same time let us be confident in His power to lead us to great achievements. May you be blessed by this poem!

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