Way to Glory

Posted on January 21, 2025 by Mark Shields

Throughout our journey, we have opportunities to gain lessons from the Word and from each other. From the beginning, the Word was with God and Jesus is the incarnation of the Word. The perfect example of the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Reading today 1 John 1:1-4, we note that Apostle John wrote this letter so that we have joy (v. 4). Documented in this letter is what John heard and saw as he walked with Jesus.

John gives evidence for the certainty of his presentation in the life of Jeus who lived out the Word among us on earth. Believing in the incarnation of Jesus is important to counteract false teaching that denied that Jesus is the Son of God who lived among us on earth.

Jesus laid out the path to go and we can follow the Way. We know what direction to go in the decisions we make. Jesus obtained perfection and by following, we may not be perfect, but we can obtain excellence by following the Way to glory.

Thank You Lord for providing the Way to glory. Your guidelines for living in the Word help us to meet adversity with confidence and lead us into a future where we need to be. Your Truth provides liberty and victory as we step ahead on the path towards fullness of life. Amen.

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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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , | 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.

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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