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

Questions for Reflection – Study of Song of Songs 5-8

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Mark Shields

Recently, I shared some thoughts as I studied in Song of Songs 1-4. Some read the Song of Songs as a love poem; others believe it is written symbolically to express the affections between Christ and the church. Whichever way you read it, there are lessons we can learn about spiritual communion that help us desire the things of God so they become our treasure.

There are many things that can entice us from devotion to Christ. Many shows on TV want our attention. Every commercial we see is trying to entice us to pay money for their product or service. To keep us focused, the desire for spiritual communion with the Lord is essential and this can be done with a daily devotional and quiet time.

Being devoted to the teachings of Christ builds passion for life. We are driven toward God’s plan for our life and we trust our future in His hands. We also desire to make Christ known to others so they can have this same passion for life.

Reading in Song of Songs 2-3, lovely spring imagery in many ways describes the return of Christ. We wait with patience but right now we can pause along the journey to celebrate progress by taking in a sunrise, a sunset, or listening to a song. These are the things that reward our life but we know a future in Heaven will be much more rewarding. God has a tremendous future for us with peace and joy.

Because of this great future, let us be inspired to do great things right now. Let us be inspired by the passion of Christ who always prayed and listened for instructions. Opportunities to do great things are right in front of us so let’s give God our best. If we express hope and show enthusiasm, others will be more open to the Gospel. The effect is more decision for Christ and a reinvigorated church.

If something is being started, it may be rough at first. For that reason, let us be inspired by the example of Christ as He demonstrated devotion and self-surrender in establishment of Christianity. He fulfilled His purpose on earth with passion and boldness and we can too. Life may not always be trouble free but there is peace in that Jesus is the key.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting about the rest of my journey through Song of Songs and will use the questions below to help focus on each passage.

Photo from Google Images

Song of Songs 5:1-8
What joyful event is the girl dreaming about? What delays her from responding to her beloved’s knocking? How can we be prepared and ready for God’s call in our life?

Song of Songs 5:9-16
What is the first question the women ask the girl? Why is friendship a crucial part of a permanent love commitment (v. 16)? In what ways is Christ your best friend?

Song of Songs 6:1-13 and 7:1-9
What images does Solomon use to describe the Shulammite girl? How does he flatter the girl in verses 8-10? Would Satan describe you as “terrible as an army with banners”?

Song of Songs 7:10-13 and 8:1-14
What good things can you offer the Lord Jesus? Study the girl’s character. Are these qualities strongly evidenced in your own relations with people? What should characterize a long-lasting relationship?

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.

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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

Questions for Reflection – Study of Song of Songs 1- 4 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Song (monikasusantija.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Bible, Christ, Christianity, God, God’s Plan, Jesus, Lord, Shulamite, Song of Songs | 5 Comments

Our Yes for Christ

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Mark Shields

Credit: Google Images

Our “yes” for Christ and following His example of passion for the church provides inspiration for each day and builds momentum. We also have a helper in the Holy Spirit that empowers us to share about Christ.

The confidence helps us to know you’re empowered to share and what begins as a ripple on a pond will turn into a wave that will travel far and continue to spread.

My study this week in Song of Songs has inspired two poems at the links below.
Decisions for Christ
Love Proved on the Cross

My first Post (christalone58.wordpress.com)
You light up your grace of body with the radiance of your mind (desperion.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Christ, Christianity, God, Google Images, HolySpirit, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality, Song of Songs | 2 Comments

Worship Service Update 12/13/2013

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Mark Shields

Last Sunday at the church I attend, the message was titled “Trusted Light”. Christmas is a time of exchanging gifts and a lot of planning goes into getting the best gift. God also gives us a gift at Christmas and He put a lot of planning into this gift. This gift is Jesus who brings to us a secret ingredient called grace that lights our way.

Photo from Google Images

Pastor Steve brought the message to us with some great points in bold print below.

Christmas comes with great expectations
Today at Christmas time, we have great expectations for gifts we may receive. A lot of planning goes into getting the best present for our loved ones. God planned the best gift for us and the gift of love in Jesus Christ is by far the best ever given.

Christmas brings another kind of King
Caesar Augustus was emperor of the Roman Empire; a very powerful man in charge of the large territorial holdings around the Mediterranean in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The kingdoms ruled by man are very fragile but God’s kingdom is stable and His plan started to unfold to bring us another kind of King.

Christmas brings the up there down here
God’s plan was to bring the up there down here by becoming one of us. The God who made the universe came in the form of a baby; born in a manger and living on this earth for 33 years to become King.

Christmas brings a “riches to rags” story
This different kind of King named Jesus was very rich yet became very poor in order to make all of us rich. The Word became human and lived here on earth among us.

The light of Christmas is that the King came for you and me
The secret ingredient for us to become rich in spiritual matters is grace and it keeps coming and coming for our benefit. Let us thank God for grace and share this secret ingredient with others so it’s not a secret any more.

This weekend, we will continue the sermon series as we lead up to Christmas. If you are not able to attend your local church service (traveling, health condition, weather, etc), I invite you to this link of the podcast where you can listen/watch each sermon message.

As we head up to Christmas day, try to answer this question: What does Christmas mean to me? Then share your thoughts with at least 20 people. Have a great weekend!

A Christ-Centered Christmas (focusedandfree.com)
Making Christmas Meaningful (matthewruttan.com)

Posted in Sermon Outline, Thoughts From Sermon, Worship Service Update | Tagged Asia, Christmas, christmas lights, God, Holiday, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Roman Empire, secret ingredient, Sunday | 3 Comments

Actions are Proof of His Love

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Mark Shields

Jesus and His Love for the church can inspire our day and build momentum. Christ fulfilled His purpose on earth with passion and boldness. It wasn’t easy but like most things of importance, it takes devotion.

With our helper in the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to share about this purpose of Christ. We can fight life’s battles together and what begins as a ripple on a pond can turn into a wave that travels far and continues to spread.

To give a lift for your day, take a look at this video: The Proof of Your Love – For King and Country. Have a wonderful day with God! 🙂

Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. – Hebrews 4:16

Ready, Set, Influence – Your Calling! (todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com)
What I Believe Makes Me Who I Am – Theology on an Icy Morning (ckisler.wordpress.com)
Prepare for what is coming! (endtimebibleprophecy.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Christ, Christianity, Christianity for Seekers, Evangelism, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality | 5 Comments

Love Initiates Action

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo from Google Images

Reading in Song of Songs 4, the Shulammite girl has an effect upon the shepherd. She steels the shepherd’s heart. Her love is more pleasing than wine. Her lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb. The word pictures the shepherd uses to describe the Shulammite girl in 4:12-5:1 center around the image of a garden. The shepherd describes her as a flush garden with choice fruits, incense trees, fine spices, and a fountain of flowing water within the garden. He says the garden is locked up and the fountain is sealed (V. 12). Water was scarce and precious during this time period and it was sealed to preserve it from pollution and for use of its owner.

Interpreting this reading as an allegory of the love between the church and Christ, it’s inspiring because of the devotion and self-surrender. Fulfilling His purpose on earth was not easy but the love of Christ for us was proofed on the cross. If something is being done for the first time, it may be rough in the beginning. There will be challenges but along the way, we can be thankful for being inspired by the example of Christ as He demonstrates devotion and self-surrender in fulfilling His purpose.

This day with God will be amazing because if tempted to hold back, thinking about Jesus will remind us that love flows best when it flows freely. What is it you need desperately from the Lord today? Be faithful and bring it before Him in prayer so His love flows freely.