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

Questions For Reflection 1 John 1-3

Posted on January 20, 2025 by Mark Shields

Questions for Reflection

1 John 1:1-4 – Why did John write this letter? What evidence does John give for the certainty of his presentation? Why is the issue of the incarnation of Jesus important?

1 John 1:5 through 2:6 – How is God like Light? What are the contrasting truths? What then is the basis of fellowship? Since John does not teach sinless perfection nor a life of licentiousness, what does he teach? How does Jesus Christ walk (1 John 2:6)?

1 John 2:7-17 – What is this commandment which is neither old nor new? What are the advantages of being in the Light (Relate to interpersonal relationships)? How does love for the world in verses 15-17 differ from the type of love described in verses 7-11? How can you tell if you love God?

1 John 2:18-29 – What are the characteristics of one who knows God and has eternal life? In the face of false teaching who is the Christian’s true teacher? What will abiding in the Son mean in the specific attitudes and actions of your life today?

1 John 3:1-10 – What has happened to you because of God’s love? How will seeing God affect you? What is the result of this hope in your daily living?

1 John 3:11-24 – What happens to evil when confronted by righteousness? In contrast, if you really love your brother, how will you express it? What characteristics are essential in your life to give you confidence before God and the assurance that your prayers will be answered?

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 | 2 Comments

Top Gospel and Christian Songs – 1-19-2025

Posted on January 19, 2025 by Mark Shields

Here are some of the top Gospel and Christian songs. Click “play all” after clicking this link and enjoy. I’m praying that you have a blessed week ahead!

Posted in Worship | Tagged Blessings, Faith, Grace, Hope, Love, Praise, Prayer, Worship | 2 Comments

Thought From Devotional 01-17-2025

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Mark Shields

A thought from John 15:1-17 is that Jesus is the vine, the Father is the vine dresser, and the disciples are the branches. To produce fruit, there needs to be some pruning by the vine dresser. Look at adversity as part of this pruning to make one fit for service. Like Christ who went through a painful death yet proved His love on the cross, we are to let our love show in the difficulties that we go through.

Posted in Thoughts From Devotional | Tagged Adversity, Bible Study, Challenges, Connected, Love, Photo, Prayer, Unified | 1 Comment

The Spiritual Journey Continues Now into 1 John

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Mark Shields

I have been on a spiritual journey through the book of Isaiah. Now, I will take a detour into the letters of John for a while before returning to finish Isaiah.

Here is a link to all the devotionals done so far organized by book of the Bible and specific chapter within that book.

Index of devotionals

If you would like to get notified with each new post, I invite you to click on the follow button on the far top right of this page to join me on this spiritual journey. Another way to keep up with my spiritual journey is through the Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey. Click like and share so friends and family outside of WordPress can view too.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Journey | 1 Comment

Spiritual Journey Through Isaiah 35-39

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word of God found in Isaiah 35-39 and sharing some thoughts that not only can benefit us now but also help the next generation too! The greatest of all possessions one can hand off to future generations are the guiding principles taught from the Word of God.

A thought from reading Isaiah 35 and shared in the post Way of Holiness is that we may be filled at times with hopelessness, but we can be encouraged because with God, there is certain victory.

Diving into Isaiah 36 and shared in the post A Jump of Faith is that the enemy’s promises are deceptive. Fortunately, God’s promises are reliable and are certain. We can build our faith on solid ground of Truth. Faith doesn’t come out of nowhere but comes from work and dedication, so let us dive into the deep waters and obey God’s orders.

From reading in the book of Isaiah, the king of Assyria was threatening king Hezekiah about taking over the city of Jerusalem. A thought from Bless You with Courage is that just like with king of Hezekiah, the enemy will fall when God is in control.

The enemy will recoil, and we will stand our ground. The best way to win our battles in life is always with God’s help. God gives courage to make it through days of difficulty, times of criticism, and embarrassment. He is in control and can defeat anything we go up against. He can bless us with victory in all we do.

This day with God, let us seek to do as the post Build Your Life Day by Day points out. Let us remember who we belong to and live for the reason of following God’s will. By doing His work, we will find joy we thought could never be ours.

A thought from Help the Next Generation to Their Destination is to be good stewards of what God has given us. To be humble and to focus on what God always cares about which is His people. Let us be interested in the wellbeing of others.

God has a purpose for us in all stages of life. It may be as teenager deciding what type of career to pursue, a college student, a young professional, a leader within a business or organization, or someone nearing or already in retirement. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed to do great things for God’s glory.

If you have not done so yet, click the follow button to be notified of future post. Next, the Journey through the Bible will head into the book of 1 John for a while.