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

Praise Him for Newness

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Mark Shields

Reading in Song of Solomon 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.

Think of future plans. God has a tremendous future for you with peace and joy. Imagine enjoying a crisp morning breeze as you take a breath of fresh air and gaze at the mountains. These are the things that reward our life but know a future in heaven will be much more rewarding.

We have a chance today to dream about a rewarding future in heaven and we have an opportunity right now to reward God by praising Him. I hope this song provides a great start to your day: O Praise Him – David Crowder Band.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12

The Reward of Newness (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
My Husband Says… (theoriginallight.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Christ, Christianity, David Crowder Band, Evangelism, God, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality, Song of Solomon, Song of Songs | 3 Comments

The Reward of Newness

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Mark Shields

Reading in Song of Songs 2-3, the girl twice describes her beloved as “a gazelle or a young stag” (2:9, 17). This suggests that her beloved comes with great passion and grace. In a similar way, Christ came to fulfill His purpose on earth with passion and grace in spite of all the difficulties.

Spring imagery fills the speech in Song of Songs 2:11-15. The imagery describes the return of the Lord Jesus because like spring, everything is new and the old has passed away. Like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband, spring flowers which communicate God’s grace adorn the earth. This same thought is brought out in Revelation 21:1-5 below.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Picture is from Google Images

What makes you genuinely happy? Are they short term or long term? All of us should pause along the way of life and celebrate. Look forward to the future with optimism and be inspired by the God’s blessings which are forever. Let us cast off discouragements and come to Christ daily for a new beginning. Let us also pray for others we can invite to come to Christ.

Questions for Reflection – Study of Song of Songs 1- 4 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
All Things New. (suncrestcultivating.wordpress.com)
Has Science Decided How You Will Live – Is it Your Salvation? (vineoflifenews.com)
In the name of Jesus is supreme power and authority (davidcampbelljr.wordpress.com)
Enjoy Your Breakfast Now…They Don’t Serve Breakfast In Hell!! Nope! (godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com)
Celebrating Christ the King (christianityandvirtue.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Christ, God, Jerusalem, Jesus, Lord Jesus, New Jerusalem, Song of Songs, The New Earth | 9 Comments

Passion for Life

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Mark Shields

A thought after reflection on yesterday’s devotional is that 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. I found this song that inspires this passion for life: The More I Seek You – Kari Jobe.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4

Our Passions – Matthew 22: 37-40 (themorningthirst.wordpress.com)
Let’s Risk the Ocean (alisonmotroni.wordpress.com)
When God Allowed His Son To Be Killed (supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Christ, Christianity, God, God’s Plan, Jesus, Kari Jobe, Lord, Passion, Psalm, Psalms, Religion and Spirituality, Teachings of Christ | 5 Comments

Spiritual Communion

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Mark Shields

Depiction of Solomon and Pharaoh’s daughter reciting the Song of Solomon. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Some read the Song of Solomon as a love poem; others believe it is written symbolically to express the affections between Christ and the church. Whichever way you read it, we can learn about spiritual communion which gives strength for each day; the importance of wanting the things of God and making them your treasure. We can ask God for help and dream of the possibilities.

The women of Solomon’s harem describe his love in Song of Songs 1-2. They said that it is more delightful than wine. We also read about conflicts between the Shulammite girl and the “daughters of Jerusalem” as each thinks they are better than the other.

The king is trying to win the girl’s love and she finds him difficult to resist as he says she is beautiful and she points out how handsome he is. The girl describes past delights she has enjoyed with her shepherd lover by comparing him to an apple tree that is very pleasant and wholesome.

The Shlammite girl describes her desire with word pictures of perfume, fruit, and flowers. Both describe their desire for each other using word pictures like fine wine or luscious fruit. Other word pictures to help describe their desire for each other include strongly built house, flowers, doves, gazelles and female deer.

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 this day with God, let us delight in the Lord. What God gives is a plan for life which is a valuable treasure and the more we lose ourselves in this plan, the more passion we will have.

December 1 (bookministry.wordpress.com)
Passion and Purity, pg 24: The Shulamite Woman Advises on Love (evangelicalexpat.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection – Study of Song of Songs 1- 4 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in Song of Songs | Tagged Christ, God, Jerusalem, Lord, Poetry, Shulamite, Solomon, Song of Solomon, Song of Songs, Spiritual Communion, the Song of Solomon | 5 Comments

Questions for Reflection – Study of Song of Songs 1- 4

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Mark Shields

When the focus is on God, there is a clear advantage. Look at history and see how important it is to follow His plan, attend to detail, and put things in order. No person in history focused more clearly on the principles of the Bible than Jesus who came to help us internalize these principles by praying, listening, realigning our heart, and always expecting to be blessed. Let us read, experience, and learn together.

The journey through the book of 2 Chronicles has come to an end. I’ve studied and posted some thoughts over the past few months about some good kings of Israel and some bad. From King Solomon to Jehoshaphat to Hezekiah to our King of Kings, Christ; there is a big difference in good and bad leadership.

My next part of the journey will take me to Song of Songs or Song of Solomon. Some commentators believe that the Song of Solomon is best interpreted as a human love poem; others believe it is an allegory of the church’s love for Christ. Either way, it reveals principles of love that we can apply at both levels: interpersonal relations and our relationship with God.

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

Photo from Google Images

Song of Songs 1-2
How do the women of Solomon’s harem describe the king’s love? Compare and contrast the harem’s desire for Solomon, Solomon’s desire for the Shulammite girl, and the girl’s desire for her beloved. What things are most likely to woo you from devotion to Christ?

Song of Songs 2-3
How would you describe the Lover of the Church? Have you ever actively sought God in a time of “spiritual dryness” (Psalm 42) and known the joy of restored fellowship?

Song of Songs 3:6-4:7
Read Matthew 4:8-10. What did the Lord Jesus Christ refuse because of his love for the Father and the church? Of course we all worship but do you worship Jesus Christ? How often and how passionately?

Song of Songs 4
Why is a desire for total self-giving appropriate in serious romantic love or in the marriage bond? Reflect on Christ’s feelings of love for the church. Do they inspire you to devotion and genuine self-surrender?

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