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

Inspired by the Passion

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Mark Shields

I was inspired in reading Song of Songs 3:6-4:7 by the passion of Christ which gives us all hope and enthusiasm for life. Like the song Live Out Loud by Steven Curtis Chapman, let us desire to give God our best, be different, and stand out.

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. – Psalm 89:1

New Steven Curtis Chapman Songs (christianmusicmakers.com)
A Walk One Winter Night – Review & Giveaway (anotherchanceranch.net)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Christ, Christianity, God, Lord, Passion, Passion of Christ, Psalm, Song of Songs, Steven Curtis Chapman | Leave a comment

Love for the Father and the Church

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Mark Shields

As I journey through Song of Songs or Song of Solomon, I find it very challenging but very beneficial. The representation in Song of Songs 3:6-4:7 is of the church or the bride riding in a chariot through the desert and believers are filled with the graces of God’s Spirit as their hearts are nourished by the gospel. The bridegroom is Christ who directs believers to where they may find him; in His church.

As I studied this passage, I was amazed at the passion of Christ. In Matthew 4:8-10, the Word says the following:

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you, “he said, “If you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

Picture from Google Images

Jesus refused from Satan all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor because of His love for the Father and the church.

This day with God, let us be inspired by this passion of Christ who 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.

Do You See What I See? (callingallsheep.com)
The Church Built Upon Christ Was A Local Assembly… (settledinheaven.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Christ, Christian Church, Church, God, Gospel, Jesus, Matthew 4:8, Passion of Christ, Satan, Song of Solomon, Song of Songs | 3 Comments

Love Has a Voice and a Name

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Mark Shields

Love has a voice and a name … JESUS and He loves so much that He died for you and for me. As we journey through life, pause along the way and celebrate because we can look forward to the future with optimism and be inspired by God’s blessings.

Pause along the journey to celebrate progress by taking in a sunrise or sunset. Enjoy a crisp morning breeze as you take a breath of fresh air and gaze at the mountains. Turn you’re gaze to Heaven and embrace a joyous sound of music. These are the things that reward our life and we have an opportunity right now to reward God by praising Him.

God has great plans for us and He knows about our needs. While we wait patiently for His return, we can let our light shine to glorify Him. There’s a poem I wrote the other day about how awesome God is at this link: O Praise Him!

Have a wonderful Sunday my friends. This upcoming week, I will continue to post about my journey through the book of Song of Songs. Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment after each post. 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.

Heaven is in Human Voices (teresitacarigmapalos.wordpress.com)
Today’s Devotion: Singing a New Song (discovermorebothellumc.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Chapters and verses of the Bible, Christ, Christianity, Facebook features, God, Heaven, Jesus, Song of Songs | 5 Comments

Desire for Spiritual Communion

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Mark Shields

This week, I’ve been posting some thoughts from my study of Song of Songs 1-3. Some read this book of the Bible as a love poem; others believe it is written symbolically to express the affections between Christ and the church.

Either way you read it, there are lessons to be learned. We should desire to have spiritual communion and be strengthened each day. We should desire the things of God and make them our treasure. Each day with God, ask for help and dream of the possibilities.

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.

The thoughts this week have inspired a poem at this link: Spiritual Communion.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bible, Christ, Christianity, God, love poem, Poetry, Religion and Spirituality, Song of Songs, Spiritual Communion, Teachings of Christ | 10 Comments

Worship Service Update 12/06/2013

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Mark Shields

Photo from Google Images

My family has a tradition of going to the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at our church and this truly warms my heart each year. We watch a theatrical production of the Christmas story and sing Christmas songs. Then a candle is lit and it is passed on with each person lighting their neighbor’s candle. The sanctuary is filled with light.

Last Sunday at the church I attend, the message was titled “Promised Light”. Below are some of the Main points from the message.

Pastor Steve brought the message to us with five main points. The first is that Christmas is God’s response to dark. In Isaiah 9, the people were living in dark times. The Temple had fallen and the walls destroyed but God provides a light of hope for a better future.

Next, God’s light divides and God’s light directs. The foretelling of the coming Christ is made and today it has been fulfilled. The light of Christ divides the darkness within our world and directs our path for the future.

God’s light also transforms. Christmas says to us that God is available; inspiring us to keep on praying, keep on believing, and never giving up. The fifth point is that God’s light liberates. Our faith matters and God’s promise lives all year long. Let us receive the light, let it shine inside, and let us pass on this joy to others. Let us not hang back in the shadows but let our gifts shine; helping us to change the world for the better.

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!